Former Director (left June 2022)
North Vancouver, British Columbia
August, 2019 – Present
Photos © Brett Hitchins / Brett Ryan Studios
On December 2021, MONOVA opened in The Shipyards, at 115 West Esplanade, North Vancouver.
MONOVA is located on the unceded lands of the Squamish (Skwxwú7mesh) and Tsleil-Waututh (səlilwətaɬ) Nations.
The 16,000 sq ft public amenity space includes: an arrival lobby (containing restored Electric Streetcar 153), feature exhibit gallery; permanent gallery; spacious rooms for community programs; a garden terrace; meeting spaces, public administration area, collections storage and workroom. A fitting welcome to museum visitors is a cedar sculpture of Sch’ich’iyuy (The Two Sisters) by Sḵw wú7mesh (Squamish) carver Wade Baker, winner of a public art competition.
MONOVA operates both the new Museum of North Vancouver in The Shipyards and the Archives of North Vancouver located in Lynn Valley. It is a shared partner agency of the City and District of North Vancouver. MONOVA also supports several online/offsite experiences where the public can engage and learn about the past, present and future stories of North Vancouver.
Financial support for this project comes from the City of North Vancouver, the Government of Canada, individuals, families, foundations, and corporations with core funding from the District and City of North Vancouver and the BC Arts Council.
MONOVA formed and is taking guidance from the Indigenous Voices Advisory Committee (IVAC). It has co-chairs and representatives from each Nation (Carleen Thomas, Tsleil-Waututh and Chief Janice George, Squamish).This collaboration has been informed by the Council-approved MOU and Protocol Agreement between the Nations and the Museum and Archives of North Vancouver (MONOVA), and was signed December 3, 2021.
The Archives (3203 Institute Road, North Vancouver) collects, preserves, and provides access to the documentary heritage of North Vancouver, including public records created by both municipalities, as well as thousands of private records, archival documents, and photographs that document the lives and experiences of residents, business, and community organizations.
Mission To engage, strengthen and inspire the community by exploring history, connecting people and sharing ideas.
Vision To be an inspirational and transformational community hub where the stories of North Vancouver’s people, places and past come to life.
MONOVA Supplement in North Shore News Dec 1st, 2021
MONOVA Strategic Plan 2020-2023
Download Strategic Plan
