Visitors top 80,000 for guided tours, visits and special events

Canada's new national museum welcomes visitors to six more galleries this week, making all of its gallery spaces available for viewing. 

"The response to our guided tours and events over the past six weeks since we first opened our doors has been amazing. We've welcomed over 1,000 people a day from all across Canada and around the world and we are excited to show our visitors even more," said Gail Stephens, interim president and CEO of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR). "Visitors will discover a truly unique museum experience – a journey of inspiration and education unlike anything else in the world."

Starting this week, visitors can now explore all 11 galleries at their own pace, or join a guided tour for an additional fee. Today is the first full day for open public entry to all galleries, as the Museum is closed Mondays and opened for only a partial day yesterday in honour of Remembrance Day. Since September 27, visitor entry has been facilitated via guided tours through five galleries at a reduced admission price while work continued on exhibits.

Online membership sales are now available through the CMHR Web site. To date, the Museum has attracted almost 1,500 members, who receive unlimited admission throughout the year and a 10-per-cent discount in the boutique and ERA Bistro. Direct online admission ticketing is also available. Tickets bought online or in person can be used for entry on any date, making them an ideal stocking stuffer or holiday gift.

During September and October, about 80,000 people flowed into the Museum for guided tours, special events and programs (including inaugural weekend activities), and visits to the Museum's boutique and ERA Bistro. 

Already a popular location for events and receptions, the CMHR has booked 150 events between September 1 and December 31 – typically hosting multiple events each day. In addition, Museum programs to date have included the first two of six educator open houses, attended by over 250 teachers and education specialists, and a free public event to mark the 100th anniversary of the Komagata Maru incident, which attracted more than 300 people. In addition, about 7,500 students in 250 classes are already booked to attend Museum school programs, which begin in January.

A summary of facts and numbers can be found in the attached backgrounder. High-resolution images are available upon request.

The Canadian Museum for Human Rights is the first museum in the world solely dedicated to the evolution, celebration and future of human rights. It is the first national museum in Canada to be built outside the National Capital Region. Using immersive multi-media technology and other innovative approaches, the Museum will create inspiring encounters with human rights as part of a visitor experience unlike any other.

Facts and numbers

• All 11 galleries are now open to the public to visit at their own pace, starting this week. Human rights stories are showcased from multiple perspectives, in unique and remarkable ways, including over 100 hours of video; three feature films; an immersive multimedia show; 26 small format films; 37 large scale linear media projections; 512 video clips; more than 300 artifacts and works of art; 2,543 images; two soundscapes; 18 mixed-media story niches; 19 digital interactive elements; 100,000 words of original text; and seven theatres.
• Admission fees are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and students, $8 for youth aged 7 to 17, and free for children under 7. The Museum is open Tuesday to Sunday and on most holiday Mondays. Tickets can be purchased online or in person for entry on any day, with no expiry date.
• Two different guided tours ("Discover the Building" or "Explore the Galleries") are available for an additional fee of $5 per adult, $4 per senior or student, and $3 per youth aged 7 to 17. 
• Annual memberships are available for purchase online or in person for $50 per adult or $95 per family, with additional categories also available. Memberships include unlimited admission throughout the year and a 10-per-cent discount in the boutique and ERA Bistro.
• During September and October, more than 80,000 people visited the Museum for guided tours, numerous special events, Museum programs and visits to the boutique and ERA Bistro. Many also attended official opening celebrations on Sept. 19, free preview tours on Sept. 20 and 21, and numerous special events. Over 1,000 people a day (on average) have visited since the Museum opened for business on Sept. 27.
• More than 3,500 "Imagine" cards have been completed by visitors from all over the world. The cards, located in the Museum's "Inspiring Change" gallery, ask people to share their thoughts on the kind of future they imagine for humanity.
• The CMHR has booked 150 events between Sept. 1 and Dec. 31 in its rental facilities, including five weddings – hosting multiple events per day. 
• Museum programs to date have included 250 educators taking part in the first two of six open houses, and 300 people who attended a free public event to mark the 100th anniversary of the Komagata Maru incident.
• Approximately 7,500 students in 250 classrooms are booked to date attend Museum school programs beginning in January.