City of Kitchener approves big funding boost for THEMUSEUM

THEMUSEUM in Kitchener is getting a big funding boost. CTV’s Spencer Turcotte finds out how much, and what the museum had to promise in return.

THEMUSEUM is getting more funding from the City of Kitchener.

At a meeting Monday night, councillors unanimously agreed to provide up to $300,000 a year over the next three years.

“It allows us to invest that money in areas that will have a great return on investment to ultimately get us to sustainability,” said David Marskell, CEO at THEMUSEUM.

City councillors approved a one-time $300,000 grant last year, with one condition – that the Region of Waterloo cover half the amount, which regional councillors later denied.

THEMUSEUM had a lot of work to do ahead of Monday’s commitment from the City of Kitchener.

“For the last year, we’ve been meeting weekly with city staff and monthly with the mayor and the CAO,” Marskell explained.

Kitchener’s mayor praised both sides for developing a sustainability plan during that time.

“Arts and culture are something the entire council really feels is extremely important for our community. Both in terms of quality-of-life amenity, but also in our ability to attract and retain talent and young families in the community,” said Berry Vrbanovic.

In exchange for the funding, the city will now get two seats on the THEMUSEUM’s board. Councillor Stephanie Stretch will be a voting member, while the other seat will go to a city staff member who won’t have a vote on the board.

The idea is that having representation from both sides will result in a more successful path forward.

Even though THEMUSEUM was denied funding from regional councillors last year, they have received $385,000 annually from the region since 2016.

Pair that with the new city-level funding and plan, and Marskell feels his team is set up for success.

“We will invest it in three areas – in development to increase donations, in marketing dollars to try to attract people from the [United] States and from around southwestern Ontario,” he said. “And the third point is to rent the facility more, have more special events.”

Marskell said the funds will give his team more time to reimagine their business model, relative to the rapidly changing downtown demographics, as well as provide a three-year cushion for planning like never before.

“We’re back and we’re open for business and, in three years, we’re going to be stronger than ever.”

Marskell also told council THEMUSEUM will provide a higher level of accountability as it works towards no longer needing extra funding in the future.