A new program to make cultural institutions more accessible to adult learners and their families was officially launched this afternoon at The Rooms. The Department of Education is providing $56,000 in funding to support a year-long pilot of the Learning at the Museum program between the ABC Life Literacy Canada and The Rooms.
ABC Life Literacy Canada is a national charitable organization that champions literacy by empowering adult learners, raising awareness, and supporting the adult learning sector. The organization created the Learning at the Museum program to increase learner confidence in cultural activities by making cultural spaces more accessible. ABC Life Literacy Canada has been working closely with staff at The Rooms on the development of this project.
Museums are important places in communities where people come together to share stories and experiences. This pilot project provides an entry point into learning for vulnerable adults and their families who may not currently feel connected or engaged with cultural institutions as a community resource that they can access.
The program fosters increased confidence in adult learners encouraging them to participate in cultural activities with their families by making these spaces more accessible through interactive workbook-based workshops and custom family literacy activities.
Museum staff have received relevant training to deliver the Learning at the Museum program. Staff use the custom workbook and family literacy materials to better understand how to engage and work with adult learners.
The Honourable John G, Abbott, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development was joined by Anne Chafe, CEO of The Rooms Corporation of Newfoundland and Labrador, and Jelena Tomescu of ABC Life Literacy Canada for the announcement.
Quotes
“Cultural literacy helps us connect with others, understand different perspectives, and actively participate in cultural activities. The Learning at the Museum pilot program, in partnership with ABC Life Literacy Canada and The Rooms, will help foster literacy and offer engaging workshops for adult learners. This program provides free resources that make cultural spaces more accessible and encourage active participation in our communities.”
Honourable John Haggie
Minister of Education
“The Rooms is excited to work with ABC Life Literacy Canada on this project. Reaching new audiences from within our community who engage with The Rooms is an extremely important goal for us. We are very excited to work on this meaningful project that helps to further our commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity and anti-racism.
Anne Chafe, CEO
The Rooms Corporation of Newfoundland and Labrador
“We are delighted to expand the Learning at the Museum program to Newfoundland and Labrador and bring it to The Rooms. We are pleased to work together to reach adults who are disengaged from cultural institutions and to help them connect with, and feel a sense of belonging to, their local museums.
Alison Howard, Executive Director
ABC Life Literacy Canada
-30-
Learn more
Adult Literacy Action Plan
Follow us on Twitter @GovNL, @EDU_GovNL, @TheRooms_NL
Like us on Facebook