Celebrate Canada and Canadian Heritage (and learn)

February 5, 2011

The story begins: “Thanks to a generous contribution from the Department of Canadian Heritage’s Movable Cultural Property Program, the National Gallery of Canada has acquired a unique and highly-significant vase for its international art collection. The Ptarmigan Vase, made of copper, silver and gold, was designed by the exceptionally-talented American Tiffany & Co. designer George Paulding Farnham.” STOP.

Since when does our neighbor to the north has a Department of Canadian Heritage’s Movable Cultural Property Program? and, more importantly what is it?

Apparently, Canadian Heritage is a government sponsored entity responsible for “national policies and programs that promote Canadian content, foster cultural participation, active citizenship and participation in Canada’s civic life, and strengthen connections among Canadians.” It is occupied with conservation and preservation of heritage, work of museums and galleries, cultural spaces, traveling exhibitions, import and export of cultural artifacts and provides funding opportunities to museums unable to acquire important cultural treasures without the public support.

Under the Canadian Cultural Property Export and Import Act, which regulations the export of certain classes of cultural property, the Minister of Canadian Heritage may dispense funds to assist certain national institutions to purchase objects deemed of cultural importance for  which export permits have been refused, or which are located outside Canada and are related to the national heritage. Excerpts of the Act are available here.

If anybody asks how you found out about this, say that a little bird told you. To find out more about the scope and the breadth of the Programs under the Canadian Heritage rubric, visit their website.

For more information about the Vase, please see ArtDaily.
Image: Ptarmigan Vase. Photo: © Sotheby’s New York.