Ukrainian museum in Edmonton to receive $3 million grant (05/07/06)

Ukrainian museum in Edmonton to receive $3 million grant

EDMONTON - Over the next three years, the Ukrainian Canadian Archives and Museum of Alberta (UCAMA), will receive a very generous and much anticipated grant of $3 million from the City of Edmonton to facilitate the relocation of the museum. The new museum will soon be moving to its new home in the historic Jasper East section of Edmonton.

"This is a wonderful vote of confidence," said UCAMA President Krystyna Kohut, "I am so grateful to the City Council for their vision in their support of culture and the arts. We hope to be the catalyst for the revitalization of Jasper East and add to the diversity of the cultural fabric that exists in downtown Edmonton."

The UCAMA is a not-for-profit organization that serves an important function within the Ukrainian Canadian community. It allows for the more than 80,000 Canadians of Ukrainian heritage living in Edmonton to access their family histories, while educating future generations and those who are outside of the heritage sphere.

The latest grant is a welcome addition to the successful campaign that has been waged to secure monies for the new museum. Edmonton's grant matches one from the Community Facility Enhancement Program of Alberta Gaming that was announced in October 2004.

Furthermore, the UCAMA is seeking a federal grant to match the funds secured through Alberta Gaming. The project includes a new public heritage museum, archive and community programming facility that will replace the existing project located on 110th Avenue. The current building is more than 90 years old and in poor condition.

Founded in 1972 by a group of 11 prominent professional business members in Edmonton, the UCAMA has sought to preserve Ukrainian Canadian history and culture. Unfortunately, the original building has been deemed functionally obsolete due to structural weaknesses and inappropriate conditions for the storage and display of the museum's archival collections.

The new facility will be designed by the renowned architectural firms of HIP Architects and David Murray Architect. The project will be a rehabilitation of the Lodge Hotel and Brighton Block at 9662 Jasper Ave. in Edmonton. The sites were designated as Municipal Historic Resources several years ago, and acquired by the UCAMA three years ago.

In a workshop with local organizations, including members of the UCAMA board, the Ukrainian Folklore Center at the University of Alberta and members of the Edmonton Eparchy, an identity and mission were determined for the new building.

"The building should have a regional, national and international reputation, and strive to provide a facility that celebrates the urban contribution of Ukrainians in a new land," said the architects.

The first phase of the construction is under way, and has been budgeted at over $9 million (Canadian). However, all these funds have yet to be secured.

Due to the scope of this project, the UCAMA has realized that it cannot undertake this important project alone. Thus, the organization is actively seeking partners to support the endeavor. All branches of government, municipal, provincial and federal, have been approached to assist in the facilitation of a new and unique platform for educating the public about the Ukrainian Canadian experience.

Private and public foundations have also been a focal point for the fund-raising effort, along with corporate and individual donations.

With over 5,000 photographs depicting the unique experiences of Ukrainian Canadians in Alberta, the museum has always been a great way to share information about the difficult road traveled by the pioneers all the way to today's Ukrainians living in Canada's Prairie Province.

The UCAMA has an impressive list of other assets that will fill the many spaces of the new facility. From rare and historic maps, unique instruments and an extensive library collection to historical documents and memorabilia that span various aspects of culture, the new project will be a destination for anyone eager to learn and experience the past.

It will have a great effect on the revitalization effort for the East Jasper block. With this project the local economy will gain more tourism and human traffic, with estimates hovering around the 50,000 per year range. Money spent in the area will be crucial to the local economy and the prosperity of businesses in the area.

UCAMA is currently seeking donations from the public to assist in the completion of this ambitious project. Contributions can be mailed to 9543 110th Ave., Edmonton, Alberta T5H 1H3; for information call 780-424-7580; fax 780-420-0562; e-mail ucama@shaw.ca or log on to http://www.ucama.ca.

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