NP-UN, Western Bureau.
The Ukrainian Canadian Archives and Museum of Alberta (UCAMA) has launched its $30 million Mузей Campaign whose goals are to strengthen appreciation of the Ukrainian Canadian experience by collecting, preserving and showcasing Ukrainian Canadian heritage.
The Mузей Campaign has four phases. The initial phase was completed after UCAMA raised $11,100,000. Just under $19 million is needed to complete the project. Of this amount, $20M is allocated for construction, $5M for exhibits and furnishings, and $5M for endowment.
The completed building will occupy 26,000 square feet and host in-house and travelling exhibits and support active research and education. The Museum will house an extensive and growing collection under safe, state-of-the-art conditions.
In order to raise awareness of this campaign, UCAMA advisor William Petruck has been conducting individual “tours” of the facility.
What really happens is that visitors are led into the cavernous shell of the former Lodge Hotel located on Edmonton’s Jasper Avenue, shining a flashlight to indicate where specific rooms of the proposed museum will be located. The purpose is to show what has been completed and what needs to be done.
And much remains to be completed.
“UCAMA envisions exciting new interpretative exhibits, public and educational programs, cultural presentations, services of the highest museum and archival standards, and mutually beneficial partnerships. This vision of excellence demands proper preservation and interpretation of the collections and the hiring of highly qualified staff to ensure its success,” states UCAMA’s brochure.
As well, “it will have a major impact on the heritage and cultural offerings of Edmonton and the Province of Alberta. The new interpretative exhibits and programs will draw increased numbers of visitors to downtown Edmonton.”
“UCAMA will be the largest Ukrainian museums in Canada, and will be an education facility, with visiting school groups and researchers. Please join together with our founders in celebrating our culture, heritage and continuing a vision of which we can all be proud,” says Paul Teterenko President of UCAMA.
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