Museum of Dufferin charting a new bold course forward

The Museum of Dufferin, known affectionately as MoD, is seeking community input to support the ongoing development of a new Strategic Plan via an online survey, open until May 30.

Cody Joudry, Dufferin’s Director of Planning, Economic Development and Tourism, says the museum is charting a new course forward.

“We’re looking at things like, how do we de-colonize the museum, how do we put a better diversity, equity and inclusion lens on our collection?” asks Joudry.

Work is already underway to diversify the museum’s collections and exhibits, he said, and hosting multicultural events.

“I think there is a lot of shift happening,” said Joudry.

Like making sure there is appropriate BIPOC community representation in visiting artists .

“There are changes happening all around and really this plan is about charting a new bold course forward,” he said.

“There has been a lot of change over the last couple of years, from Covid to social advocacy, and all sorts of things, and we really want to know where are people at? What’s important to them? What would people like to see at their museum?”

Joudry said they are hoping to better understand what motivates people to come to the museum, what types of programming would entice them, and how to attract even more visitors.

The survey is primarily aimed at Dufferin County residents but the museum is interested in hearing from anyone who may have input, including those who have never visited the museum, past and present visitors, members and volunteers. The survey asks participants to share their experiences and perspectives on the MoD’s existing programs and services, and to help shape the MoD’s future.

Individuals who complete the survey can enter to win one of two $50 gift certificates to a local business of their choice. Each submission will inform a Strategic Plan, which will act as a roadmap to guide the MoD’s path forward.

This MoD’s strategic planning journey began in January 2022 and is scheduled to be completed by Summer 2022. PROCESS, a cultural planning, communications, and engagement studio in Toronto, has been engaged to support the development of this plan and to help uncover how the MoD can better serve the community, and identify opportunities for growth and change.

The survey is available at www. dufferinmuseum.com.

The survey can also be accessed here https://bit.ly/2022MoD