Royal BC Museum Modernization

Engagement Summary

The Royal BC Museum is one of B.C.’s greatest cultural icons, drawing millions of visitors each year onsite and online. It offers visitors the chance to explore our social and environmental history and discover the events and people that have shaped our province.

On Feb. 12, 2019, the speech from the throne announced government’s intention to modernize the Royal BC Museum, to protect its historic holdings and provide better access to its collections. This consultation was a first step in gathering ideas for a modern provincial museum that contains exhibits and learning modules reflective of the whole province.

Staff from the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and the Royal BC Museum engaged with British Columbian’s between April 1 and June 27, 2019.

They heard from people from all over B.C., including Indigenous people and local nations, historians and scientists, academics, teachers, the technology sector, tourism organizations, and the gallery, library, archives and museum community.

Feedback was gathered through:

• Open online dialogue
• Formal submissions from experts or organizations via email
• Public meetings that took place in Victoria, Vancouver, Kelowna, Duncan, and Prince George

Engagement Timeframe

April 1, 2019 to June 27, 2019

Input Received

• • 5182 website visits.
  • 177 online discussion comments.
  • 131 participants in 7 community meetings around British Columbia
    • Prince George – May 11, 2019
    • Vancouver – June 8, 2019
    • Vancouver – June 10, 2019
    • Duncan – June 13, 2019
    • Victoria – June 13, 2019
    • Victoria – June 15, 2019
    • Kelowna – June 19, 2019
    • Virtual Meeting – June 20, 2019

Input leads to action:

Read the What We Heard report for a complete summary of the engagement process. The report grouped people’s feedback into seven major themes:

1. Dynamic Exhibits and Programming
2. Building Relationships
3. Living History
4. Accessibility for All
5. State-of-the-Art Facilities and Operations
6. A Place of Learning
7. Research

Read RCBM’s Indigenous Engagement Report.

The B.C. government used the feedback to inform its business case. The business case includes considerations of costs, location, program, timelines and impact on stakeholders. The business case is being prepared for consideration by the B.C. government in 2020.

May 2022 News Release: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2022PREM0030-000747

June 2022 News Release: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2022PREM0042-000989

Visit the Royal BC Museum Modernization  webpage for more detail about the project.