As the Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum’s lead curator prepares to depart from her role and head off to a new position in Port Colborne, the museum is sharing that it’s received another $100,000 from the Bank of Montreal to fund its expansion plans.
BMO is giving the museum $100,000 over two years to support its $10-million renovation and expansion project. Kaufman said the grant will go toward the project in general, though the bank expressed interest in the museum’s Indigenous section.
The museum is able to get financial support by applying for bank grants, such as this one, and another it received in October from the Royal Bank of Canada, $150,000 to build an elevator on the property.
Kaufman said BMO’s decision to support the museum “definitely shows that there’s confidence in this project.”
The museum began working last year with Helen Seibel, BMO’s head of employee and community giving, and submitted a proposal after determining the museum aligned with the bank’s focus on heritage and community.
“It was a perfect fit for them,” Kaufman said.
“We’ve known about their support for quite some time, so we’re excited to finally get it out.”
Kaufman added that “one or two” more announcements may come either in the new year or before she steps down on Dec. 31, a move announced last week. She will take on the position of curator at the Port Colborne Historical and Marine Museum in the new year.
She said fundraising will remain steady after her departure because it has always been a “collaborative project.” She hopes to volunteer her time to continue supporting the effort.
This community focus is especially important to her, she said.
“It’s most important that the community supports the project,” Kaufman said. “It’s their museum.”
The federal government awarded the museum $2 million in November to support its expansion, and the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake is contributing $500,000 over five years.
Kaufman joined the NOTL Museum on contract in 2009 and has served as lead curator since 2010.
daniel@niagaranow.com
