Galt Museum Launches Summer School to Support Cultural Heritage in Ukraine

Participants of the 2023 pilot Summer School at the Open Society Archives, Hungary
Image courtesy of the Galt Museum & Archives | Akaisamitohkanao’pa

Lethbridge —The Galt Museum & Archives | Akaisamitohkanao’pa (eternal gathering place) is thrilled to unveil a new international collaborative initiative designed to support cultural heritage preservation in Ukraine. The project was created in 2023 by the Galt Archivist, Andrew Chernevych, and piloted in partnership with the International Council on Archives. The idea is to create a groundbreaking training opportunity for emerging archival professionals in Ukraine through a summer school program.

The project has recently been confirmed and put into motion thanks to collaboration from AM (formerly Adam Matthew), a leading online publisher of primary sources based in the United Kingdom. Not only has AM generously funded the project, but they will also be providing invaluable instructional and technical assistance to ensure its smooth operation. Taking on the role of Coordinator and volunteer instructor, the Galt Archivist will guide participants through the immersive learning experience.

Scheduled to unfold for a week in June 2024, the summer school will be hosted by the Blinken Open Society Archives (OSA) Archivum in Budapest, Hungary. Renowned as an international archival repository and research center, Blinken OSA Archivum will serve as the ideal setting for up to ten young professionals from various regions of Ukraine, including those heavily impacted by conflict, to converge and enhance their archival expertise (They will do it by train as air travel has long been shut down by the conflict).

Ukrainian archivists learning about audiovisual records at the Open Society Archives.
Image courtesy of the Galt Museum & Archives | Akaisamitohkanao’pa

The Galt has a distinguished history of spearheading and supporting impactful initiatives in support of Ukraine. In 2022, it launched a fundraising campaign with the backing of the Association of Canadian Archivists. Also, in 2023, the Galt Archivist played a pivotal role in the development of an emergency digitization program for frontline archives in Southern and Central Ukraine. The strategic partnership with AM this year marks yet another significant milestone in this ongoing commitment.

“I met an AM representative at a conference and was fascinated at how closely their mission aligned with my work at the Galt. It was all about primary sources – which is what archival documents are – and making them accessible,” says Andrew Chernevych.

“AM is the ideal partner for the school project with their archival knowledge and publishing software, Quartex. It turned out they were also excited about the idea of working together.”

Ukrainian archivists touring the Open Society Archives.
Image courtesy of the Galt Museum & Archives | Akaisamitohkanao’pa

The summer school is a strategic project as it responds to current needs, but it also builds a foundation for the future. The development of young talent is an investment into a more dynamic and sustainable heritage industry, particularly in the context of Ukraine’s integration into the EU.

“A lot of future success in heritage hinges on technical training and professional networking that young professionals receive today,” adds Chernevych.

This collaborative endeavour underscores the Galt Museum & Archives’ unwavering commitment to global cultural heritage and its role as a catalyst for positive change and sustainability.

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This media release can be found at www.galtmuseum.com/news.

Media Contacts

Andrew Chernevych
Head Archivist, Galt Museum & Archives
andrew.chernevych@galtmuseum.com
403.329.7302

Peter Tah
Marketing and Communications Officer
peter.tah@galtmuseum.com
403.320.4009