CMOG Update
May 15, 2007
On behalf of the OMA, Tammy Adkin and Marie Lalonde met with Ministry
of Culture staff, including new Director of the Programs and Services
Branch, Richard Mortimer. At the top of the list among topics discussed
was the CMOG program and how the distribution of the additional
$ 2.3 million would take place for the 2007 grants. The Ministry
had not made a final decision on the distribution but here is the
information provided:
- the date for submission of the applications remains June 30, 2007
as in previous years
- the application will remain unchanged, same form and NO questionnaire,
so applicants can begin to prepare
- the Ministry will wait until all applications for CMOG are submitted
to review the total amount requested and the number of applicants
- there are approximately 6 new applicants expected to apply for
funding in 2007
- the Ministry anticipates one cheque run, to be paid in early fall,
following the completed assessments by the Ministry staff (museum
advisors); there will not be an advance of 80 % of CMOG funding
made to applicants followed by the remaining 20 % nor will there
be an early cheque run for early applicants
The OMA recommended the following:
- that the spirit of the formula from Regulation 877 be used to
distribute the additional $ 2.3 million on a pro-rated basis
- that CMOG funding be maintained as unrestricted operating funding
support
- that a checkbox be added to the 2007 application to allow museums
to authorize the Ministry to share their application statistics
with the OMA for continuing sector data analysis
The OMA stated its continued interest in working with the Ministry
to simplify the application process, to address some of the inequities
in the application of the funding formula; and to improve the application
itself, to gather consistent data from year to year for better sector
analysis, i.e. totals for revenues and expenses, definition of visitorship,
etc…
Overall, the OMA reiterated the need for the total amount of the
CMOG funding envelope to match the amount recipient museums are
eligible for, and for new funding support to assist non-CMOG recipients
in meeting the Ministry of Culture’s Standards for Community
Museums. The existing and pressing need for capital funding was
also conveyed. On this topic the Ministry encourages museums to
communicate their capital needs to their museum advisors and Ministry
regional staff.
We invite all members to forward to the OMA office their recommendations
regarding the CMOG program and other provincial funding so that
we can develop the messages we will bring forward to the government
during the provincial election and the 2008-09 budget deliberations.
Contact: Marie G. Lalonde
Executive Director
oma@museumsontario.com
416-348-8672
or toll-free in Ontario 1-866-OMA-8672
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