News Release
For Immediate Release
February 16, 2026
Do you love museums in British Columbia? It’s been a tough year for heritage non-profits in the province, with shrinking budgets, oversubscribed grant funding, and an ongoing cost-of-living squeeze.
But what do you do, if you believe in impactful exhibits that travel BC, open access to digital collections to invite the world in, and school programs for the next generation with maritime history, stories, and experiences that give context to life on this coast?
Brittany Vis, Executive Director at the Maritime Museum of BC (MMBC) has an answer for those with a passion for maritime history and culture: join the MMBC’s Float the Boat appeal, launching now and running until March 16.
“With a goal of $30,000 to focus on building core operations during this transition year,” said Vis, “we’re building resilient and sustainable exhibit processes, collections care and digitization capacity, and core programming for school visits. These are what make a museum, a museum in 2026.”
As the Maritime Museum of BC, Songhees Nation, and Esquimalt Nation jointly negotiate a lease agreement with the province for their CPR Steamship Terminal building and adjacent water lot proposal, Vis acknowledges that the public eagerly anticipates a capital campaign: “but, by investing in the Maritime Museum of BC right now, you’re building capacity to meet this opportunity. Regardless of where we are located, we will always exist as a non-profit society, and continue our mission in BC.”
How Float the Boat Works
What could be more maritime than a miniature sailboat in a tank? Each milestone on the way to $30,000 will be marked with a live video filling the tank with more water.
Donating to Float the Boat supports the everyday operations that impact every project, program, and opening day at the Maritime Museum. Help float the boat here:
What’s Ahead in Operations
Float the Boat supports core operations at the 70-year-strong non-profit MMBC: exhibits, programs, and the commitment to preserve and interpret an incredible collection of 35,000+ objects and 554 linear feet of archives on behalf of all Canadians:
- Cataloguing, safely storing objects and archives, and making digital collections (search 12,000 archival images!)—including Nauticapedia—accessible to researchers and history enthusiasts around the globe
- Taking a great salty idea and turning it into exhibits bridging historical and contemporary maritime topics—then sending it around the province
- Nurturing the maritime spirit of the next generation with updated, curriculum-focused school programs for youth
- Opening Tuesdays – Saturdays from 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM for visitors from near and far
For Board President Wendy Moreton, a transition year is the perfect opportunity to focus and build—with lasting and sustainable results.
“It’s about maximizing the impact of activities we already do really well. Take our exhibits: many small museums in BC don’t have our capacity to research, write, and launch new exhibits consistently,” said Moreton “With our in-house staff and volunteer team, we rotate a brand new exhibit into our gallery at least twice a year. Travelling exhibits, loaned from the MMBC, are a sustainable opportunity for communities everywhere.”
When it comes to impact, Moreton is clear that everyone can make a difference: “whether it’s a $15 or a $1,500 gift, you donate because you believe in preserving and interpreting marine heritage in BC. We’re so grateful to have you aboard.”
Join in the fun by contributing today: float the boat and put the wind in our sails for 2026! Donate here.
Information for the Public
Float the Boat Runs: 16 February – 16 March, 2026
Come Visit: The Maritime Museum of BC, 744 Douglas Street, Victoria
Opening Hours: Tuesdays – Saturdays, 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Website: https://mmbc.bc.ca/
Donation Link: https://mmbc.kindful.com/?campaign=1399345
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For further information and media interviews, please contact:
Anya Zanko, Development Manager
Maritime Museum of BC
250-900-9148
