Costume Museum
Encyclopedia
The Costume Museum of Canada is dedicated to fashion and clothing. It is located in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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The Museum holds more than 35,000 textile artifacts reflecting clothing worn over a 400 year period. The Costume Museum absorbed 2,000 artifacts of clothing and textiles from the University of Manitoba
that was displayed at the Clothing and Textiles Hallway Museum. Initially located in Dugald, Manitoba, the Costume Museum moved to Winnipeg with the aim of attracting more visitors.
In March 2010, The Costume Museum of Canada closed it doors to the public. Due to an extreme financial situation that had developed over many years, The Museum was on the edge of bankruptcy. An entirely new Board was elected and was tasked with securing safe storage for the collection. By the end of summer 2011, it is anticipated that 100% of the collection will be stored in vaults in the Millennium Centre.
To ensure that the Museum will continue to operate, the Museum Board is developing both short and long range strategic plans.
The Costume Museum is determined to become the first OPEN MUSEUM, based on similar concepts to the Open University, it will have a strong web presence while continuing to operate its existing programs.
The board and a handful of member volunteers continue to operate three programs: 1) Museum in a Suitcase, 2) the Heritage Fashion Review, and 3) Travelling Exhibits.
Museum in a Suitcase in an educational program available to schools and other organizations. It offers a hands-on interactive experience with history. It comes complete with instructions. The Suitcases are available on a weekly or longer basis.
The Heritage Fashion Review is a fashion show consisting of replicas of items in the Museum's collection. It can be booked by organizations, museums, corporations and individuals, for events being held within a reasonable radius of Winnipeg. The emcee and all models are museum volunteers.
Through the Travelling Exhibits, the Costume Museum is keeping the museum experience alive. A number of different exhibits are available to museums in North America. The Exhibits range from 3 or 4 items for small environments, to 35, 50 or more for larger established centres. "The Little Black Dress" was on exhibit at the Ruth Funk Center for Textile Arts at Florida Tech in Melbourne FL, January through April, 2011.
In addition, the Costume Museum of Canada will mount exhibits around the Winnipeg area as opportunities present themselves.
The Little Black Dress will be featured in the Millennium Centre for Doors Open Winnipeg, May 28 & 29.
, CHIN
, and Virtual Museum of Canada
.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
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The Museum holds more than 35,000 textile artifacts reflecting clothing worn over a 400 year period. The Costume Museum absorbed 2,000 artifacts of clothing and textiles from the University of Manitoba
University of Manitoba
The University of Manitoba , in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, is the largest university in the province of Manitoba. It is Manitoba's most comprehensive and only research-intensive post-secondary educational institution. It was founded in 1877, making it Western Canada’s first university. It placed...
that was displayed at the Clothing and Textiles Hallway Museum. Initially located in Dugald, Manitoba, the Costume Museum moved to Winnipeg with the aim of attracting more visitors.
In March 2010, The Costume Museum of Canada closed it doors to the public. Due to an extreme financial situation that had developed over many years, The Museum was on the edge of bankruptcy. An entirely new Board was elected and was tasked with securing safe storage for the collection. By the end of summer 2011, it is anticipated that 100% of the collection will be stored in vaults in the Millennium Centre.
To ensure that the Museum will continue to operate, the Museum Board is developing both short and long range strategic plans.
The Costume Museum is determined to become the first OPEN MUSEUM, based on similar concepts to the Open University, it will have a strong web presence while continuing to operate its existing programs.
The board and a handful of member volunteers continue to operate three programs: 1) Museum in a Suitcase, 2) the Heritage Fashion Review, and 3) Travelling Exhibits.
Museum in a Suitcase in an educational program available to schools and other organizations. It offers a hands-on interactive experience with history. It comes complete with instructions. The Suitcases are available on a weekly or longer basis.
The Heritage Fashion Review is a fashion show consisting of replicas of items in the Museum's collection. It can be booked by organizations, museums, corporations and individuals, for events being held within a reasonable radius of Winnipeg. The emcee and all models are museum volunteers.
Through the Travelling Exhibits, the Costume Museum is keeping the museum experience alive. A number of different exhibits are available to museums in North America. The Exhibits range from 3 or 4 items for small environments, to 35, 50 or more for larger established centres. "The Little Black Dress" was on exhibit at the Ruth Funk Center for Textile Arts at Florida Tech in Melbourne FL, January through April, 2011.
In addition, the Costume Museum of Canada will mount exhibits around the Winnipeg area as opportunities present themselves.
The Little Black Dress will be featured in the Millennium Centre for Doors Open Winnipeg, May 28 & 29.
External links
Affiliations
The Museum is affiliated with: CMACanadian Museums Association
The Canadian Museums Association is a national organization for the promotion of museums in Canada.The Canadian Museums Association is the national organization for the advancement of the Canadian museum sector, representing Canadian museum professionals both within Canada and internationally. The...
, CHIN
Canadian Heritage Information Network
The Canadian Heritage Information Network is a Canadian government-supported organization that provides a networked interface to Canada's heritage, largely through the World Wide Web. It aims to give access to Canada's heritage for both Canadians and a worldwide audience, by supporting the...
, and Virtual Museum of Canada
Virtual Museum of Canada
The Virtual Museum of Canada is Canada's national virtual museum. With a directory of over 3,000 Canadian heritage institutions and a database of over 600 virtual exhibits, the VMC brings together Canada's museums regardless of size or geographical location.The VMC includes virtual exhibits,...
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