Help write the next chapter in Whistler’s story
Help write the next chapter in Whistler’s story
To belong to a community means knowing its history, understanding its present opportunities and challenges, and contributing to its promise for the future. That’s how we truly plant roots, connect with a place and develop a sense of belonging. Museums are where our stories live – past, present, and future. These stories are the threads that weave us together and form the fabric of community. That’s why Museums are where communities discover themselves.
The new Whistler Museum has set out on an inspiring mission of discovery:
“Collect, preserve, document and share the natural history and human stories of mountain life – focusing on Whistler – and provide a forum for inspiring exhibitions and programs that deepen an understanding of past choices and future possibilities.”
We are guided on this journey by a compelling vision for the museum:
“The Whistler Museum is a renowned centre for the celebration of mountain life.”
In just a few short years from now – you will be invited to take your first footsteps into a new, purpose-built, state-of-the-art museum. And from the moment you enter, one thing will be certain – this is not your typical museum.
Gone are the days of dark and dusty rooms full of artefacts and records that lay lifeless and disconnected from their human context. We’re transforming the way we experience Whistler’s story – focusing on pivotal moments in time through the lens of human experience. Exhibits and programs will offer tactile, multi-media, interactive ways to experience Whistler’s people, places and cultures – captivating your imagination, leaving you with a feeling of discovery and wonder.
In the same way that libraries are no longer just about books, the new Whistler Museum is not just about artefacts. Traditionally, museums have been about observation – here you will be an engaged; you’ll be a participant. We will be flexible in adapting to the needs of our community, serving as a place of education and delight for all ages. We will also be a forum for thought leaders and for local voices, and a contemplative place for those wanting to sit with their thoughts.
Regardless of what you experience, one thing will be certain – the new Whistler Museum will have stirred something unforgettable within you.
The right location
Working in close collaboration with its neighbours, the Museum will play an integral role in a vibrant Whistler Village – attracting repeat visitors from near and far.
The right time
Whistler is in the midst of a period of transition, development, rapid change – and new challenges. Residents retain a strong pride of place but there are signs of strain. Community identity and cohesion can be vulnerable in times of change. The fabric of community is strengthened when we know and value the tapestry of the stories we share.
Now, more than ever, understanding our community’s history is vital in providing the context required to successfully deal with today’s challenges. The Whistler Museum is uniquely positioned to play a key role.
Whistler’s human narrative begins with the people of the First Nations. We have been invited to now live and engage in a time of reconciliation. As a place for learning, sharing perspectives and achieving understanding, the new Museum has a unique opportunity to facilitate reconciliation – with First Nations and beyond.
Community benefits
The new Museum will play a vital role in youth education and provide an interactive alternative to classroom education.
A unique gathering place for dialogue and civic engagement.
Increased profile for Whistler’s increasingly important Cultural Connector.
A curated and secure repository for the treasures of our shared heritage and a forum for new generations to discover the power of the past in determining our future.
Increased appeal of Whistler as a destination for cultural tourism and purposeful travelers.
Enhanced community identity.
An exciting new venue for events.
Funding
Total cost of the new Whistler Museum is estimated at $10 million.
We will be submitting an application to the Government of Canada’s Cultural Spaces Fund (CCSF) for 50% of the capital cost.
However, 30% of the capital cost must be raised before submitting an application to CCSF.
Donate
Your generous donation directly contributes to the preservation and promotion of Whistler’s rich cultural heritage, and ensures that future generations can engage with and appreciate the area’s unique history.
(WCF) Donations will be managed through the Whistler Community Foundation’s (WCF) new fund dedicated specifically to the building’s construction.
Donate securities
Receive tax savings on your investment by donating securities directly to the Museum Building Fund through the Whistler Community Foundation.
Please email Claire atcmozes@whistlerfoundation.com to receive the securities transfer form. WCF will work with you and your advisors to ensure the transfer is smooth and your donation receipt is delivered to you. You will receive a donation receipt for the fair market value of the securities based on the closing price on the date the securities are received into the foundation’s account.
Other ways to donate
Tel: 604-932-2019
Mail: 4333 Main Street
Whistler, BC V8E1B3 Cheques payable to “Whistler Museum and Archives Society – Building Fund ”
Receipts will be written for contributions over $20. Charitable No. 119297000 RR0001. Please contact the Museum for details.
SUPPORTERS SPOTLIGHT: Whistler Children’s Chorus
We are excited to share with you that the Whistler Children’s Chorus (WCC) put on an amazing performance of “Christmas at Rainbow” in December 2022. This show has a special connection to Whistler’s history, as it tells the story of how Rainbow Lodge was built by Myrtle and Alex Philip, beginning with Alex’s chance meeting of John Millar in Vancouver in 1911.
To make this performance possible, the Whistler Museum provided WCC with archival photos that were used as backdrops, and helped update the script.
We are also thrilled to announce that the proceeds from the performances, totalling $1890, were donated to the Whistler Museum’s building fund. WMAS thanks you for your support.
WMAS Newsletter
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