Authority to Enter Into and Execute a Services Agreement with DART for a study on best practices for the ethical collection, archiving and dissemination of digital assets - by Councillor Michael Thompson, seconded by Councillor Gary Crawford

The initiative began and then paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ongoing commitment to advancing and supporting Reconciliation and equity led to more emphasis on collecting and amplifying voices that have historically not been represented in Toronto's museums, including Indigenous ones. At present, Museum and Heritage Services is focused on the ethics around the collection of oral histories and is seeking to create an engaging, interactive digital platform to feature these historically unheard voices as well as the digitization and dissemination of Museum and Heritage Services' collection. DART, a non-profit corporation is a well-respected design firm specializing in digital media concept, design and development for the cultural, charitable and public sectors. DART has a unique skill set and was engaged for the Project due to their ability to develop, apply for and implement grant proposals for museums that develop and create new approaches to multi-lingual, digital story telling. Further, DART has a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. They are particularly notable for their passionate approach to access and inclusion, and have worked with people with disabilities and diverse communities to create, explore and audit websites and apps. As part of the Project, DART will complete group workshops on the topic of oral histories, ethics and museums, record workshops and share results, provide one-on-one training sessions for project participant as well as, design and lead 5 action research initiatives with participating museums and create a digital interactive toolkit for museum professionals. Funding to cover the service agreement with DART will be from the Museums Assistance Program grant. This Motion is urgent because it recommends an increase to the 2022 Approved Operating Budget for Economic Development and Culture, to be fully funded by a Museums Assistance Program grant from the federal Department of Canadian Heritage. The City sought and was approved for federal funding from the Museums Assistance Program but the initiative was paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This Motion will enable the City to receive and apply the federal funding now that the program has resumed.

2. City Council increase the 2022 Approved Operating Budget for Economic Development and Culture by $56,976.86 gross, $0 net, fully funded by a Museums Assistance Program grant from the Department of Canadian Heritage to deliver the project.