Museum Visiting in Canada: Do Canadians Still Value Museums?

Diverse visitors walking toward a glass-fronted museum entrance under a large “MUSEUM” sign

Museum visiting in Canada is thriving in numbers—but not yet in hearts. Drawing on the Alberta Museums Association’s landmark Trust and Value study, this piece asks why half of Canadians still stay away, and what true inclusion looks like. It’s a call to move beyond open doors toward spaces where every visitor feels seen, welcome, and essential.