In an effort to reach out to those who may not normally have the opportunity to visit a world-class museum, the Royal Ontario Museum is ramping up its efforts to make the facility more accessible.
The museum's Community Access Network (ROMCAN) distributed 20,000 free tickets in March, with the passes going to a wide array of people in low-income communities or with other factors that would preclude them from otherwise visiting.The 20,000 tickets in March is a record, though ROM director and CEO William Thorsell said he hopes to see the program expand even further. Thorsell said ROMCAN came about after the museum discontinued its practice of admitting people for free on Fridays, a tradition that has moved to Wednesday afternoons."We couldn't afford to stay open for free in general, so we said we have to target groups that wouldn't normally be able to get here," he said. Most of the beneficiaries are families with young children who cannot afford admission, though many other groups have received passes.In addition to free admission, the ROM offers lab instruction with hands-on training for schools in low-income communities as well as placements in other ROM programs."Some of the kids come to our summer camp or our March break camp, where kids can come in and do all sorts of activities," Thorsell said.ROMCAN is made possible through private donations from individuals and corporations - including a recent anonymous seven-figure donation - and the tickets are distributed through the United Way to a number of community agencies.United Way Toronto CEO Frances Lankin said her organization was happy to partner with the ROM by serving as a liaison between the museum and the United Way's many partner agencies."This partnership allows us to open the doors to one of the world's leading museums for people and communities who might not otherwise have the chance to experience the ROM," she said. "We've heard from program participants, some downtown for the first time, that a visit to the ROM is beyond their daily routine and the stresses of everyday life like feeding their families and paying rent."Lankin added the chance to experience the museum first-hand was an enriching experience for so many."Having the chance to wander the ROM for the day provided them with educational and cultural learning opportunities that broadened understanding of our multicultural history," she said.Centre for Addiction and Mental Health recreation therapist Gillian Robinson said her organization has been able to distribute nearly 300 tickets to both inpatients and outpatients, with both benefiting immensely from ROMCAN."Because we're fairly close to the ROM, sometimes we'll have a group of staff and inpatients walk there, which provides exercise, socializing and a chance to enjoy the day," she said. "A lot of people have been able to go that never would have been able to afford it, being on fixed incomes. All the people who have received tickets have been absolutely elated."Krista Bussey of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Canada said about 400 tickets have been distributed to children and families who are part of the Make-A-Wish program."We've gotten a lot of responses saying how wonderful (ROMCAN) is and how excited the families are," she said. "A lot of families wouldn't have a chance to do this without getting free tickets."For more information on the program, visit www.rom.on.ca/visit/tickets.php#romcan