Executive Director & Curator
Richard Cumbo
Maltese-Canadian journalist, historian, community leader, and long-serving volunteer. Richard has served as Curator of the Maltese-Canadian Museum since 2016.
People & Governance
Staff & Volunteers
Our Museum is shaped by the people who care for its collections, share its stories, and strengthen connections across the Maltese-Canadian community.
A Community Effort
People make the Museum possible.
The Maltese-Canadian Museum is a community-rooted not-for-profit supported by people who contribute their experience, curiosity, time, and care. Volunteers play an essential role in preserving the material, documentary, and living heritage of Maltese communities in Canada.
From cataloguing and historical research to exhibitions, educational programming, and welcoming visitors, this work brings together many different skills and perspectives. Learn more about the Museum’s Board of Directors and committees.
Museum Leadership
Meet our Executive Director & Curator.
Working with the Board and the wider Museum community, our Executive Director & Curator supports the stewardship and interpretation of Maltese-Canadian heritage.
Volunteer Involvement
Many skills. One shared purpose.
There are many ways to contribute to the Museum’s work. The examples below are areas in which volunteers may be able to assist, depending on current projects, training, and Museum needs.
01 / Collections
Collections & artefact care
Help with documentation, inventories, object photography, and appropriate collections storage.
02 / Archives
Library & archives
Support cataloguing, digitisation, transcription, and the organisation of documentary and research materials.
03 / Research
Historical & community research
Explore immigration histories, family and community records, oral histories, and the connections between Malta and Canada.
04 / Exhibitions
Exhibitions & interpretation
Contribute to exhibition research, accessible interpretive text, display preparation, and educational resources.
05 / Community
Events & visitor engagement
Assist with public programmes, community gatherings, guided experiences, and visitor welcome activities.
06 / Communications
Outreach & digital projects
Help tell Museum stories through writing, design, social media, newsletters, photography, and digital resources.
Join the Community
Interested in volunteering?
Whether you have a background in history, museums, archives, the arts, communications, or simply an interest in Maltese-Canadian heritage, we would be pleased to hear from you.
Depending on the work involved, contributions may be occasional, project-based, or ongoing. We welcome conversations about how your interests and experience might complement the Museum’s needs.
Volunteer activities are subject to project availability, appropriate orientation or training, and Museum requirements.
Tell us a little about:
- Your interests and any relevant experience
- The kinds of projects you would enjoy
- Your general availability
Richard Spiridione Cumbo was born in Sliema, Malta in 1948. In 1951, he along with his mother and sister left for Toronto, Canada. His father and an uncle had arrived in Toronto six months prior. Although coming to Canada at a young age, Richard learned to speak and read Maltese.
Richard was educated in public and Catholic schools and in 1971 commenced working for the Government of Ontario, retiring in 2000.
He visited Malta with his parents for the first time in 1968, and the visit had made such an impression on him that upon his return he began his volunteerism in the community which has lasted over 55 years.
During this time he served on various boards of the three levels of government. He also began researching the Maltese community, writing about it and sharing his findings with archival institutions.
Amongst his many salutations and awards the latest was in April, 2025 a LifeTime Achievement Award from Ontario Heritage Trust presented by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario.
Richard has been the curator of the Maltese-Canadian Museum since 2016.
