Programs and Services for Heritage Organizations in Canada

The Department of Canadian Heritage is responsible for national policies and programs that promote Canadian content; foster cultural participation, active citizenship and participation in Canada's civic life; and strengthen connections among Canadians.

The following list of Canadian Heritage Programs and Services is organized by field of activity, so that heritage organizations may more easily link their specific needs to available programs and services.

A PDF Version of this document is available at Programs and Services for Heritage Organizations in Canada (PDF Version, 152 KB).

Acquisitions

Movable Cultural Property Program

  • Certification of Cultural Property: Under the provisions of the Cultural Property Export and Import Act and as determined by the Canadian Cultural Property Export Review Board, certification provides special tax benefits to Canadians who donate or sell significant objects to designated institutions in Canada. Deadlines: January, April, August and November.
  • Designation of Institutions and Public Authorities: Not-for-profit charitable heritage institutions may apply for designation to become eligible, upon meeting certain legal, curatorial and environmental requirements, to apply to have donations certified as cultural property, and to apply for Movable Cultural Property grants and loans.
  • Grants and Loans: Grants and loans are available to assist designated institutions in purchasing objects for which export permits have been denied, or objects located outside Canada of significance to the national heritage.

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Collections Management

Canadian Arts and Heritage Sustainability Program (CAHSP)
Subject to renewal

This program strengthens organizational effectiveness and builds capacity within the heritage sector by supporting modern management and greater financial stability in heritage organizations.

  • Capacity Building: For organizations that do not benefit from participation in a Stabilization Project, this component contributes financially to transformative projects that increase organizational capacity, including the development of collections management strategies, policies, and plans.

Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI)
The Canadian Conservation Institute, a Special Operating Agency of the Department of Canadian Heritage, is a pioneer and leader in the conservation of cultural heritage. The Institute offers a wide range of conservation and restoration treatments, scientific and advisory services, and learning opportunities, and most are offered free to heritage organizations across Canada.

  • Architectural Heritage Conservation Services: CCI can assist in the development of conservation guidelines and specifications, maintenance planning, quality-control inspection, and material characterization related to the historic elements, decorative artwork, and finishes of heritage buildings or sites.
  • Archival/Library Materials Testing Services: CCI evaluates library and archival materials to see if they are suitable for conservation and storage purposes. Staff can also verify product specifications and provide independent certifications.
  • Conservation Services for Aboriginal Cultural Centres and Collections: CCI offers customized training, advice, and on-site consulting services to assist with conservation of Aboriginal artifacts.
  • Conservation Services for Industrial Collections: These services include object and site analysis, preservation and interpretive advice, and specialized training.
  • Emergency Response Service: In an emergency, Canadian museums and related institutions are invited to call CCI for advice on the salvage and recovery of collections.
  • On-site Scientific Services: CCI offers on-site non-destructive testing for characterization of materials and can help with design and implementation of an effective monitoring system.
  • Preventive Conservation Services: CCI can provide cultural institutions with preventive conservation strategies for museum buildings and collections.
  • Scientific Examination and Analysis: CCI offers a comprehensive package of scientific, analytical, and photographic services.

Canadian Heritage Information Network (CHIN)
The Canadian Heritage Information Network, a Special Operating Agency of the Department of Canadian Heritage, works with Canadian museums to strengthen our collective ability to create, present, and manage online content.

The CHIN Web site provides free access to a remarkable collection of information and skills-development resources designed for heritage professionals and volunteers.

  • Artefacts Canada: Users can browse or add to this database of more than two-million records and images from Canadian museum collections.
  • Collections Management: Provides software reviews, software selection guidelines and course, cataloguing procedures, and related resources, including Collections Management Software Review (CMSR), Collections Management Software Selection (CMSS), and Capture Your Collections e-course.
  • Intellectual Property: Explains intellectual property management issues surrounding digital copyright.
  • Reference Library: Provides links to authoritative resources in museology and heritage-related disciplines.
  • Standards: Describes the appropriate standards for cataloguing, managing and sharing information about collections.

Museums Assistance Program (MAP)
Deadline: November 1

  • Aboriginal Museum Development: Provides project funding for Aboriginal organizations to enrich and preserve their cultural heritage, and to increase public awareness and understanding of Aboriginal peoples' rich and diverse cultures. Supports projects for research, preservation, and interpretation of Aboriginal cultural heritage and for object research and documentation, including oral history initiatives and other community heritage projects.
  • Organizational Development: Assists museums and heritage professionals in attaining professional standards in management and operations, through the support of planning and feasibility studies, as well as projects that ensure the long-term conservation, curation, preservation, or management of collection resources.

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Conservation

Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI)
The Institute offers a wide range of conservation and restoration treatments, scientific and advisory services, and learning opportunities, and most are offered free to heritage organizations across Canada.

  • Architectural Heritage Conservation Services: CCI can assist in the development of conservation guidelines and specifications, maintenance planning, quality-control inspection, and material characterization related to the historic elements, decorative artwork, and finishes of heritage buildings or sites.
  • Archival/Library Materials Testing Services: CCI evaluates library and archival materials to see if they are suitable for conservation and storage purposes. Staff can also verify product specifications and provide independent certifications.
  • Conservation and Restoration Treatments: The CCI team of experts provides treatment services for a wide range of artifacts and materials.
  • Conservation Research Services: CCI's research program is based on issues of importance to the heritage community and can include projects for meeting specific preservation needs.
  • Conservation Services for Aboriginal Cultural Centres and Collections: CCI offers customized training, advice, and on-site consulting services to assist with conservation of Aboriginal artifacts.
  • Conservation Services for Industrial Collections: These services include object and site analysis, preservation and interpretive advice, and specialized training.
  • Emergency Response Service: In an emergency, Canadian museums and related institutions are invited to call CCI for advice on the salvage and recovery of collections.
  • On-site Scientific Services: The CCI offers on-site non-destructive testing for characterization of materials and can help with design and implementation of an effective monitoring system.
  • Preserving my Heritage Web Site: CCI's new Web site provides an introduction to heritage conservation and offers advice on preserving family treasures, heirlooms, and works of art.
  • Preventive Conservation Services: CCI can provide cultural institutions with preventive conservation strategies for museum buildings and collections.
  • Scientific Examination and Analysis: CCI offers a comprehensive package of scientific, analytical, and photographic services.

Canadian Heritage Information Network (CHIN)
The CHIN Web site provides free access to a remarkable collection of information and skillsdevelopment resources designed for heritage professionals and volunteers.

Movable Cultural Property Program

  • Designation of Institutions and Public Authorities: Not-for-profit charitable heritage institutions may apply for designation to become eligible, upon meeting certain legal, curatorial and environmental requirements, to apply to have donations certified as cultural property, and to apply for Movable Cultural Property grants and loans.

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Governance / Organizational Development / Professional Development

Canada-France Agreement on Museums
This agreement supports exchanges between Canadian and French institutions and professionals in the museum field. Deadline: February 1.

Canadian Arts and Heritage Sustainability Program (CAHSP)
Subject to renewal

This program strengthens organizational effectiveness and builds capacity within the heritage sector by supporting modern management and greater financial stability in heritage organizations.

  • Capacity Building: For organizations that do not benefit from participation in a Stabilization Project, this component financially contributes to transformative projects that increase organizational capacity through improving how heritage organizations plan, organize, finance, manage, and govern themselves. Projects may include producing or reviewing business plans, strategic plans, or governance practices; developing or re-configuring succession plans; upgrading core competencies and skills for management; developing revenue-generation strategies; improving management tools; or conducting feasibility and/or market studies.

Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI)
The Institute offers a wide range of conservation and restoration treatments, scientific and advisory services, and learning opportunities, and most are offered free to heritage organizations across Canada.

  • CCI Library: The CCI library holds more than 10,000 books and 400 journal subscriptions on a wide range of conservation and museum topics and provides related library services.
  • Learning Opportunities: CCI offers hands-on workshops and seminars ranging from basic collections preservation to specialized conservation procedures. Also available are opportunities for internships and professional development.

Canadian Heritage Information Network (CHIN)
The CHIN Web site provides free access to a remarkable collection of information and skills development resources designed for heritage professionals and volunteers.

  • Conferences and Training: provides links to events, museum studies programs, and e-courses, including Copyright Law for Canadian Museums.
  • Intellectual Property: Explains intellectual property management issues surrounding digital copyright.
  • Job Postings: The Canadian Museums Association and CHIN have collaborated to create this free job posting service for the heritage sector.
  • Links: Provides news, conference, and training listings, as well as direct links to funding sources, publications, and directories of museums, government departments, and heritage organizations.
  • Reference Library: Provides links to authoritative resources in museology and heritage-related disciplines.

Movable Cultural Property Program

  • Designation of Institutions and Public Authorities: Not-for-profit charitable heritage institutions may apply for designation to become eligible, upon meeting certain legal, curatorial and environmental requirements, to apply to have donations certified as cultural property, and to apply for Movable Cultural Property grants and loans.

Museums Assistance Program (MAP)
Deadline: November 1

  • Aboriginal Museum Development: Provides project funding for Aboriginal organizations to enrich and preserve their cultural heritage, and to increase public awareness and understanding of Aboriginal peoples' rich and diverse cultures. Supports projects that develop museums and related cultural facilities within Aboriginal communities through the funding of feasibility and other studies.
  • Access and National Outreach: Assists in the development of outreach projects, including special educational or interpretive activities, that are delivered or circulated in at least three provinces or territories, and also supports exchanges among heritage professionals working in Canada.
  • Organizational Development: Assists museums and heritage professionals in attaining professional standards in management and operations, through the support of planning and feasibility studies, as well as projects that implement strategies to strengthen organizational capacity; that maximize the competencies of staff, trustees, and volunteers; and that ensure the long-term conservation, curation, preservation, or management of collection resources.

Young Canada Works (YCW)
This program assists heritage organizations to provide summer employment and internship opportunities for Canadian youth to gain experience working in heritage institutions, national parks, and national historic sites. Deadline for employers: February 15.


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Infrastructure / Equipment

Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI)
The Institute offers a wide range of conservation and restoration treatments, scientific and advisory services, and learning opportunities, and most are offered free to heritage organizations across Canada.

  • Loan of Environmental Monitoring Equipment: CCI can provide instruments to help heritage organizations monitor their environmental conditions.

Cultural Spaces Canada
Subject to renewal.

Supports the improvement, renovation, and construction of arts and heritage facilities, including the acquisition of specialized equipment.

Museums Assistance Program (MAP)
Deadline: November 1

  • Aboriginal Museum Development: Provides project funding, including for the purchase of projectspecific equipment, in order to assist Aboriginal organizations to enrich and preserve their cultural heritage, and to increase public awareness and understanding of Aboriginal peoples' rich and diverse cultures.
  • Organizational Development: Assists museums and heritage professionals in attaining professional standards in management and operations, through project support that can include the purchase of project-specific equipment.

Online Programming / Education

Canadian Culture Online: Partnerships Fund
Deadline: September 15.

Assists partnership initiatives among private, public, and not-for-profit organizations and institutions in the digitization of cultural collections for presentation online.

Canadian Heritage Information Network (CHIN)
The CHIN Web site provides free access to a remarkable collection of information and skills-development resources designed for heritage professionals and volunteers.

  • Creating and Managing Digital Content: Helps users develop the skills needed to create and manage digital content.
  • Intellectual Property: Explains intellectual property management issues surrounding digital copyright.
  • Standards: Describes the appropriate standards for cataloguing, managing, and sharing information about collections.
  • Virtual Museum of Canada (VMC) portal: The VMC gateway and its strategic marketing campaigns draw attention and visitors from around the world. Institutions can easily add their events, images, learning materials, links, and more to Virtual Museum of Canada and increase their exposure on the Web for cataloguing, managing, and sharing information about their collections.
  • VMC Community Memories Program: Supports the development of local-history online exhibits by smaller museums. Summer and winter calls for proposals.
  • VMC Investment Program: Supports the creation of multimedia productions and games. Summer and winter calls for proposals.

Museums Assistance Program (MAP)
Deadline: November 1

  • Access and National Outreach: Supports projects that connect different geographic regions of Canada, that link museums, that assist partners to reach diverse audiences, and that reflect Canada's cultural diversity. Eligible projects include digitization projects of heritage content for the public.
  • Organizational Development: Assists museums and heritage professionals in attaining professional standards in management and operations, including support of digitization projects aimed at improving organizational capacity.

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Public Programming: Exhibitions / Education

Canada Travelling Exhibitions Indemnification Program
To increase access for Canadians to Canadian and world heritage, the federal government assumes financial liability for loss of or damage to objects in eligible travelling exhibitions. Applications are reviewed on October 1 and April 1.

Canadian Arts and Heritage Sustainability Program (CAHSP)
Subject to renewal

This program strengthens organizational effectiveness and builds capacity within the heritage sector by supporting modern management and greater financial stability in heritage organizations.

  • Capacity Building: For organizations that do not benefit from participation in a Stabilization Project, this component contributes financially to projects that increase organizational capacity through improving how heritage organizations plan, organize, finance, manage, and govern themselves. Eligible projects include new public programming and educational initiatives

Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI)
The Institute offers a wide range of conservation and restoration treatments, scientific and advisory services, and learning opportunities, and most are offered free to heritage organizations across Canada.

  • Exhibit Transportation Services: CCI can provide Canadian museums with secure, reliable, and environmentally controlled storage and transportation of fine art and artifacts.
  • Preserving my Heritage Web Site: CCI's new Web site provides an introduction to heritage conservation and offers advice on preserving family treasures, heirlooms, and works of art.

Centre for Exhibition Exchange (CEE)
A collaboration of the Department of Canadian Heritage, the Canadian Museums Association, the Canadian Conservation Institute, and the Canadian Heritage Information Network, CEE facilitates the sharing of information and expertise on travelling exhibitions among the arts and heritage community. It links borrowers and lenders of exhibitions in Canada and around the world, helps build networks, and provides a forum to address the needs and concerns of those involved in the travelling exhibition profession.

Museums Assistance Program (MAP)
Deadline: November 1

  • Aboriginal Museum Development: Provides project funding for Aboriginal organizations to enrich and preserve their cultural heritage, and to increase public awareness and understanding of Aboriginal peoples' rich and diverse cultures. Supports projects for researching, preserving and interpreting Aboriginal cultural heritage, including learning and internship opportunities; and for object research and documentation, including oral history initiatives and other community heritage projects.
  • Access and National Outreach: Supports projects that connect different geographic regions of Canada, that link museums, that assist partners to reach diverse audiences, and that reflect Canada's cultural diversity. Eligible projects include development of travelling exhibitions that are circulated in at least three provinces or territories; and projects that further the sharing of ideas and experiences and that encourage dialogue among heritage professionals.

Other Department of Canadian Heritage Programs

Assistance for Interpretation and Translation Program
Assists organizations in offering translation and simultaneous interpretation services during important public meetings or in translating public documents.

Canada Day Program
Provides support to encourage participation of Canadians in the celebration of their country.

Canadian Studies Program
Assists in the creation of learning materials that contribute to our knowledge of Canada and our identity as Canadians.

Canadian Volunteerism Initiative
Through 3 national centres and 13 local networks, funds local and national programs related to volunteerism.

Human Rights Program
Funds projects that foster the development, understanding and enjoyment of, as well as respect for, human rights in Canada.

Multiculturalism Program
Assists in the development of strategies that facilitate participation of ethnic, religious, and cultural communities in Canadian society and that increase public awareness about multiculturalism.

Support for Linguistic Duality Program
Supports activities related to the promotion and integration of English and French in Canadian society.

Canada's heritage is one of our most important assets. It tells us who we are, where we came from, and what influences shaped our development as a nation. It ties together generation upon generation. Preserved in museums, galleries, archives, libraries, and historic sites across the country, Canadian heritage is multifaceted and rich.

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