Forecast: March Break 2012 at the ROM promises to be muy caliente

Families will get hot, hot, hot, as Maya-inspired activities take over the ROM from March 11 to 18 – all at cool lower pricing!

The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) will be a hot destination for families as March Break 2012 says hola! to Maya: Secrets of their Ancient World. From Saturday, March 10 to Sunday, March 18, 2012, visitors will enjoy Maya-inspired programming at the ROM’s new lower admission prices.

The ROM extends its hours to 8:30 pm from Saturday March 10 to Saturday, March 17, and closes at 5:30 pm on Sunday, March 18. Friday nights pricing* is in effect each day of March Break from 4:30 pm until closing, and after 4:00 pm on Sunday, March 18. Visiting during the day at the ROM’s new lower admission prices includes much family programming, while a visit during the Museum’s special extended holiday hours features further discounted admission to enjoy Maya. See chart at end of release for full admission pricing information.

Maya-themed programming
Family programming and activities**, offered daily from 11:00am to 4:00pm, include:
< The Game Show at the End of the World, played three times daily in Currelly Gallery, promises participants and viewers a rollicking time as pyramids are built, brains are teased, and a ball game is played – all in the spirit of the ancient Maya
< Learn how the Maya created beautiful jewellery; then make your own to take home
< One of the most revered creatures of the ancient Maya, the quetzal bird, is yours for the taking (after making it, of course)
< A Maya High Priest will regally interact with visitors. Easy to spot, he’ll be the one with the full body paint!
< The ROM’s numerous accessibility initiatives will allow all family members to explore through tactile graphics, detailed descriptions, accessible puzzles, and other activities, informing visitors of all ages about ancient civilizations
< Presentations in the Earth Rangers Studio in Life in Crisis: Schad Gallery of Biodiversity touches on the themes of agriculture and biodiversity, dynamically linking them to Maya society

Other Programming
< Wild cats, hawks, lemurs, and more entertain as Bring Back the Wild is presented by Earth Rangers in the Signy and Cléophée Eaton Theatre. The 20-minute live animal show can be seen daily at 11:30 am, 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm
< Permanent galleries will play host to a wide variety of scavenger hunts and guessing games
< Travel back to the 15th century and participate in a Mediaeval Fair. Meet an archer, dance mediaeval-style, interact with live animals, and much more
< Visitors can test their skills to determine if they have what it takes to be a ROM conservator
< Ever walked on the moon? You can in the Teck Suite of Galleries: Earth Treasures. You can even take home a certificate proving it!
< The newly launched Burgess Shale website will be available for viewing, with interpreters from Yoho National Park on hand to answer visitors’ questions

With so much going on at the ROM, appetites are sure to present themselves. Families are invited to dine like the Maya in the ROM’s casual family restaurant, Food Studio Café. Rotated daily, offerings include quesadillas, burritos, chilli, chorizo sausage, and corn pizza. With energies renewed, a visit to the ROM Museum Store or the Maya exhibition boutique is in order with plenty of inspired wares available for purchase.

About Maya: Secrets of their Ancient World
The exhibition is an international collaboration between the ROM, Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), and the Canadian Museum of Civilization (CMC). Nearly 250 artifacts have been assembled, including large sculptures, ceramics, masks, and jewellery, to illuminate the relationships between the Maya ruling class and the balance of its society. The objects also reveal numerous aspects of Maya life, which, until the end of the 19th century, had been shrouded in mystery. Maya city states, palace life, and rituals and beliefs, including a timely look at what they thought would occur in the year 2012, are all examined in the exhibition. Most of the showcased objects have never before been seen in Canada, and many, some only recently excavated, are recognized as among the most significant archaeological finds of the Maya civilization. The exhibition is on display at the ROM until April 9, 2012.

Lower Pricing in Effect

All March Break activities are included with ROM admission. Admission is as follows:

GENERAL ADMISSION MAYA + GENERAL ADMISSION
Adult $15 (previously $24) $25 (previously $31)
Senior (65+ years) $13.50 (previously $21) $22.50 (previously $28)
Student (15 - 25 years, with student ID) $13.50 (previously $21) $22.50 (previously $28)
Child (4 - 14 years) $12 (previously $16) $17 (previously $19.50)
Infant (3 years & under) Free
Members Free

*ROM Friday Nights Pricing (Best Value):
GENERAL ADMISSION
Adult $9 (previously $12) Additional surcharge applies to see Maya: Secrets of their Ancient World
Senior $8 (previously $10.50)
Student $8 (previously $10.50)
Child $6 (previously $8)
ROM Friday Nights presented by Sun Life Financial, take place from 4:30 pm to 9:30 pm.

**programming is accurate at time of writing. Check www.rom.on.ca closer to March Break to ensure status of activities.

(c) Kidding Around Communications 2012

The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) announced today a substantial reduction in overall admission prices. Effective immediately, the Museum will offer greater affordability for all visitors and an increase in targeted, free access for communities requiring it most. Adults, seniors, students and families will all benefit through significantly lower general admission and feature exhibition rates.

ROM adult general admission is now $15, more than a third off the previous rate of $24. Senior and student admission have been lowered from $21 to $13.50, with child admission dropping from $16 to $12. Admission for children under 3 years of age remains free. Unlimited free admission for ROM Members also continues. As well, to benefit more visitors, the age range for student pricing has been expanded from 15-17 years of age to encompass 15-25 years of age (with student ID).

The ROM’s new, lower general admission includes access to outstanding exhibitions and events including David Hockney’s fresh flowers: Drawings on the iPhone and iPad as well as ROM for the Holidays and March Break family programming. Surcharges for feature exhibitions such as Maya: Secrets of their Ancient World, opening November 19, are also significantly lowered. These exhibitions would have previously cost $31 for an adult, and will now cost $25 ($15 general admission and $10 feature exhibition charge).

“We know it’s a difficult economic time, especially for families, and our new, lower admission costs respond to this,� said Janet Carding, ROM Director and CEO. “Looking forward as we approach our centennial in 2014, our goal is to remain as vital to the community in the future as we have been in the past. Our centennial goal is to become more welcoming, more relevant—an essential destination for everyone who cares about world culture and nature. Our first step is to become more accessible through greater affordability.
“We’ll still be able to create remarkable exhibitions and events, and support our world-renowned curators and research programs, because more people will be able to visit us. By visiting the ROM, you’re helping to sustain one of Ontario’s best educational and cultural assets.�

Reduced Friday night admission will continue, now becoming even more affordable. ROM Friday Nights from 4:30 to 8:30 pm is now $9 for adults (previously $12), $8 for seniors/students (previously $10.50), and $6 for children (previously $8). Friday night visitors can enjoy feature exhibitions such as Maya for an additional $10 charge for adults, $9 for seniors/students, and $5 for children. ROM Friday Nights are presented by Sun Life Financial, a longstanding supporter of the ROM.

“Our research demonstrated conclusively that many people—especially families—would attend the ROM more often if general admission prices were reduced. This is a great centennial present for the ROM to give Canadians,� said Gail Lord, Co-President, Lord Cultural Resources, an international consulting practice that advised on ROM research. “It’s a bold, unprecedented move for a Canadian museum.�

The ROM also continues to offer good value to its Members; this year, Membership includes free attendance to two feature exhibitions, as well as unlimited access to the rest of the Museum. Membership pricing remains unchanged. A family/dual membership (two adults plus up to four children 14 years of age and under) pays for itself in under two visits.

The ROM’s Free Access Program
In order to significantly lower prices every day of the week for all visitors, the ROM has discontinued its Wednesday free two-hour period. Audience research shows that most people visiting during this period would pay to visit, and therefore the free, unrestricted period was deflecting from resources supporting individuals and families who cannot afford to visit at any price. Effective immediately, the ROM is increasing its program of free admission to marginalized community groups by 50 per cent—up to 75,000 free admissions. By discontinuing the Wednesday program, the ROM can now offer greater affordability to all visitors by reducing admission prices every day of the week. This places greater emphasis on targeted free access to benefit communities who need it most.

Since 2008, the ROM’s Community Access Network (ROM CAN) has made possible free Museum visits to a wide range of communities and individuals who may not otherwise be able to visit for a variety of reasons. To provide tickets, the ROM strategically partners with agencies best positioned to reach individuals and families who can benefit most. These include the Toronto Public Library through the Sun Life Financial Museum + Arts Pass and the Institute for Canadian Citizenship, an organization that provides a gift of ROM admission to new Canadians during citizenship ceremonies each month through its Cultural Access Pass (CAP) program.

The program has been expanded through increased support from continuing partners, The United Way and The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), as well as the addition of new partners, the YMCA and YWCA, who serve families and individuals on fixed incomes and new Canadians. Also newly partnered with the ROM are the Kids Up Front Foundation Toronto, Literature for Life, and the Youth Challenge Fund, organizations serving at-risk youth, marginalized young people and children from families in need. The ROM has also partnered with VIEWS, an organization that supports children who are blind or have low vision and their families, Make a Wish Foundation, serving children with life-threatening medical conditions, and the Centre for Addition and Mental Health (CAMH) serving persons with mental health and addiction problems.

Free admission all day on Tuesdays for students attending a post-secondary institution in Canada will continue. As well, the ROM’s School Visits Bursary Program continues to thrive, with up to 20,000 students each year from families with limited resources within school boards the opportunity to visit the Museum and participate in an educational program free of charge. The program includes admission, tours of the galleries and interactive activities that correspond to school curriculum.

About the ROM’s Centennial
The Royal Ontario Museum was established in 1912 by the signing of the ROM Act in Ontario Legislature, with the Museum officially opening in 1914. Making the ROM more affordable to all visitors is the start of many initiatives that will begin to roll out, culminating in the ROM’s 2014 centennial celebrations.

Learn more at www.rom.on.ca

In extending its free hour on Wednesdays, the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) offers an extraordinary opportunity for families to enjoy the feature exhibition The Warrior Emperor and China’s Terracotta Army at royally reduced pricing. The exhibition allows ROM visitors the once-in-a-lifetime chance to discover the warriors of the legendary First Emperor of China’s army, along with life-sized horses, all incredibly created in terracotta 2,200 years ago. Weaponry and nearly 250 other objects, some never before on public display anywhere, in addition to tons of entertaining and informative videos, vibrantly bring history to life.

WRITTEN BY
Nathalie Prezeau, author of Toronto Fun Places

When Nature turns all grey, cold and wet on us, the weather calls for indoor activities. And there’s no better time to explore the gleaming Minerals gallery (less than a year old) and the superb Biodiversity gallery (which opened last May) on the Level 2 at the Royal Ontario Museum.

It had been over a year since my last visit at the ROM and, boy, was I in for a treat! As I climbed the majestic stairs by the large totem, I was greeted by a huge stone rhino at the entrance of the new Biodiversity gallery which has changed the whole look of Level 2. Gone were the sinuous dark corridors. Now, the open space is filled with glassed showcases featuring all kinds of animals, and big fish bathed in the light and floating from the ceiling, adding to the airy feeling of the place. Here and there, touch screens allow kids to choose from a selection of 30-second clips.

The Earth Rangers Studio set in the middle of this gallery is a wonderful multi-media room where we watched the short film Power of One with live commentary from a ranger, and the fun surprise of a real kestrel, a small bird of prey, flying over our head from a trap in the back of the room! (The 10-minute long activity is offered several time on Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.) More free activities are offered in that room, with an insect theme on Sundays,  a coral reef theme on Mondays and short projections on Friday nights.

The nearby Minerals gallery, by the gorgeous mosaic ceiling, is even more breathtaking. Hundreds of artifacts in glittering glassed windows are regrouped under compelling themes such as “Minerals from ancient lavas flow�, “The stories minerals tell�, “Exceptional crystals from special environments� and “Colour in mineral and gems�. There’s a whole section filled with meteorites, others on diamonds, fluorescent rocks, rock molecular structures and more. Two large screens feature great visuals on a loop and you can play I-Spy games with your kids, thanks to touch screens presenting the full display of each showcase, from which they can select the rock they want to know more about.

When visiting Level 2 with kids, I recommend starting your tour with the Dinosaurs galleries followed by the section with the mammoth skeleton in the Mammals gallery. From there, you can now access the Birds gallery (don’t forget to check what’s inside the drawers!) and the Discovery Gallery (with its big teepee, costume section, digging sandpit and more). This will lead you to a kids’ favourite at the ROM: the Bat Cave, and the Hands-On Biodiversity section (still featuring a live bee colony). You can then walk through the new Biodiversity gallery and finish with the Minerals gallery.

Last weekend when I visited the ROM, I was with a girlfriend, a mother of four (without her kids) who hadn’t been to the ROM for ages. I couldn’t wait for her to see the new architecture so I took her directly to the staircase in the Crystal section, aptly called Stair of Wonders (my favourite way to start the visit).

We climbed up to Level 4 to admire the staircase from every angle and to get to the Vanity Fair Portraits (a photograph exhibition presented until January 3rd featuring, among other artworks published in the magazine, many famous pictures from financially-challenged photographer Annie Leibovitz, complete with flat-screen projections of the making of these photographs).
 
We then went down to Lebel B2 to check the visiting exhibition Dead Sea Scrolls running until January 3rd (a very intesting collection involving lots of reading, that we would not have appreciated as much, had we been with our kids).

TIPS
• For more information, check their website at www.rom.on.ca.
• The museum is open 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily (it closes at 9:30 p.m. on Fridays). They offer Half-Price Friday Nights from 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. every Friday, which means the admission (not including the Dead Sea Scrolls) is then $11/adults, $9.50/seniors or students, and $7.50/4-14 years old instead of $22/adults, $19/seniors or students and $15/4-14 years old. It is free for kids 3 yars and under.
• They offer additional free family activities on the weekends.

In her personal yet practical 480-page guidebook, author Nathalie Prezeau describes hundreds of outings in and around the GTA she tested with her family and friends over the past twelve years. The 4th edition is out! It includes a new chapter on things to do with the kids around the 69 subway stations in Toronto, as well as exciting city walks to play the tourist in Toronto. Available in the Travel Section of GTA bookstores as well as Mastermind Educational Toys stores and currently at Costco. Visit www.torontofunplaces.com to learn more. 

©Nathalie Prezeau 2009

Opening at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) on May 16, 2009, the Schad Gallery of Biodiversity is devoted to exploring our world’s biodiversity and the numerous factors affecting its conservation and survival. This innovative and interactive gallery combines seven ecosystem experiences, approximately 2,500 specimens and the Earth Rangers Studio featuring live animal ambassadors to convey an important message about the stunning variety of life on Earth, the interconnectedness of nature’s amazing web, and the ability that each of us has to care for the environment.

Earth Rangers Studio

Earth Rangers’ immersive Power of One show, presented by TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, is scheduled regularly in the studio on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and weekends. This 15-minute, multimedia presentation features some of Earth Rangers’ most dynamic live animal ambassadors, including a lemur, snowy owl, serval cat and American kestrel. Visitors are in for exciting, up-close experiences as they learn about the challenges facing animals and how each of us has the power to help save the planet.

Interactive Touch Screens

Throughout the gallery, 12 high-tech interactive multimedia touch screens provide over 150 video clips that speak to the gallery’s main themes, expand upon the specimens and give fascinating information about the natural world. Current research by ROM curators is also highlighted. Other video clips portray stunning and evocative footage of the natural world in action. One video shows the world from a tarantula’s point of view as it creeps along the forest floor. In another, dozens of freshwater hatchetfish dramatically leap out of the water to escape predators. Footage about species that are now extinct or at risk is particularly poignant.

Learn more at www.rom.on.ca.