Main points of the interview;

· Ministere de la Culture et des Communications evaluates all new museum projects in old Montreal.

· New museum must cover a theme that is missing from other existing museums.

· Although a new museum having a same theme as an existing museum should not be built, a museum with some very convincing reasons will be considered and evaluated.

· A museum shall be a public educational place; a place for students, family, children…. It is a transit to the public.

· Public museums get funds from federal or provincial government. Now, we have four public museums in Quebec.

· Most of museum in Quebec are private established by various collectors and organizations. 30 museums total.

· When making a proposal for new museum, several issues are concerned For instance, Parks Canada is making a plan for the interpretation center of Lachine Canal.

· Land function has been changed to residential and recreational purposes.

· Part of industrial history of Lachine shall be protected.

· New buildings and planning should revive the perimeter area of Lachine and engage into surrounding communities.

· Factors to make a good museum: goals or missions of the museum should be very specific; the way how those goals are translated architecturally; the way how people approach the museum since different museum has different theme; the method how objects are present to the public.

· See museum as a living machine.

· It is difficult to attract people to come back to a museum again. So, think about needs of communities and schools.

My reflection:

A museum is a "place" with strong indentity and theme for exhibits , and the public and communities.

Reference:

Margot Bourgeois

Agente de recherché

480, boul, St.-Laurent, bureau 600

Vieus-Montreal H2Y 3Y7

Tel: (514) 873-2255