About Us: Building the Future of Canada’s Culture
Welcome to Canadian Museums—the sovereign digital infrastructure uniting Canada’s cultural landscape under one powerful roof.
We are more than just a directory; we are a movement. Our mission is to ensure that every museum, gallery, zoo, aquarium, botanical garden, heritage site, and archive in Canada has the visibility, tools, and financial sovereignty they need to thrive in the modern age.
The Spark: 2021
Our story did not start in a corporate boardroom. It began in the trenches during a time of global uncertainty. In 2021, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, co-founders Julz Ríos and Deborah Angrave watched firsthand as the cultural sector—the storytellers and guardians of our collective heritage—was pushed to the brink.
As professionals with global backgrounds in media, technology, and advertising, we realized something critical: the traditional system was broken. Information about our cultural sites was scattered, and institutions were trapped in an exhausting cycle, relying on a funding system that demanded more but delivered less. We couldn’t stand by and watch. We launched grassroots social media campaigns out of Vancouver, starting with visionary partners like the Museum of Vancouver, the Vancouver Maritime Museum, and the BC Sports Hall of Fame & Museum.
The Evolution: Beyond Awareness
Our goal went far beyond simply telling people that museums were open. We wanted to revolutionize the way Canadians and international visitors engaged with our heritage.
We quickly introduced technological innovations: virtual museum tours, 3D object scanning, augmented reality, and a 24-hour streaming YouTube channel dedicated to showcasing Canada’s cultural treasures to a global audience. To push the boundaries even further, we formed strategic collaborations with students and researchers from top-tier institutions, including the University of Toronto, Simon Fraser University, and the City University of London. These symbiotic partnerships integrated cutting-edge ideas into real-world applications, helping museums modernize their operations without draining their budgets.
The Revolution: 2025 and Beyond
As we dove deeper into the needs of over 2,400 institutions nationwide, we knew it was time to build a permanent, sovereign solution. We realized that true support doesn’t come from government handouts; it comes from empowering institutions to take control of their own data and revenue.
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In 2025, we brought Kanata to life—a digital companion and the technological heart of our platform, designed to be the ultimate bridge between cultural sites and the public.
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In 2026, we officially launched the Canadian Museums national platform, accompanied by Innova Tickets, our proprietary ticketing ecosystem. Our mandate is simple: eliminate friction, remove predatory fees, and allow cultural institutions to keep the revenue they rightfully earn so they can invest in what matters—their staff, their collections, and their communities.
Our Vision for Tomorrow
At Canadian Museums, we believe that the progress of our society is directly tied to the strength of our cultural institutions. We take pride in leading the charge, operating entirely independent of public funding, to create a centralized hub where rural heritage sites have the exact same voice and dignity as massive urban galleries.
This is a collective effort to build a culturally enriched future. We invite you to explore, engage, and join us on this journey as we celebrate and preserve Canada’s incredible heritage.
Long live Canada! 🍁
P.S. Be part of the movement. Don’t forget to follow us across our social media channels!
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/canadianmuseums
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/canadianmuseums
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/canadianmuseums/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/canadian-museums
X: https://x.com/CanadianMuseums