TORONTO.- The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is pleased to unveil the newly redesigned ROM magazine with this month’s spring 2009 biodiversity issue. The current issue features a brand new layout, compelling new sections, new columns and in-depth stories by several accomplished writers.

In addition to a striking new look and logo designed by internationally-acclaimed firm Hambly & Woolley Inc., the magazine offers readers an exclusive and more intimate view of the ROM. New articles such as The Journal, Where in the World? and News & Views, explore the ROM’s latest acquisitions and treasures, the whereabouts of our international curators, and interdisciplinary opinions on the latest buzz in the arts and culture scene.

“ROM magazine has always been full of fascinating content that reflects our dual mandates of world cultures and natural history,” said William Thorsell, Director & CEO of the ROM. “The new magazine offers this content in a more contemporary and engaging way to truly convey the depth of the ROM experience. It is also a tangible example of how the ROM is engaging the world.”

New contributors to the ROM magazine team include James Chatto, Toronto’s leading authority on the culinary arts, and leading philosopher Mark Kingwell. Contributing regularly, Chatto will provide insights into the gastronomical parallels of the ROM’s collections around the world, and Kingwell will explore the philosophical role of the ROM as a forum for world cultures and an advocate for natural history.

“It was our aim to produce a publication with a bolder look that better highlighted the passion and knowledge of our curators,” explains Victoria Littler, Executive Editor of ROM magazine. “We’ve also revamped our kids page, and developed a new section specifically for members, which provides information on the latest membership offers and various ways to support the ROM.”

ROM magazine is currently funded in part by the Louise Hawley Stone Charitable Trust, which was established in 1997 to build and promote the ROM’s collections through ongoing acquisitions and publications. “We are proud to have received the largest bequest ever made to a Canadian cultural institution,” said Dr. Marie Bountrogianni, President and Executive Director of the ROM Governors Office. “Our goal is always to honour the life and legacy of our donors in a meaningful and enduring fashion.”

Last night, the ROM celebrated the new ROM magazine with a re-launch party for media and industry executives at c5 Restaurant Lounge.

ROM magazine is a quarterly publication that fulfills the ROM’s mission by providing compelling stories of ancient civilizations, mysterious artifacts, contemporary architecture, and new species discoveries. Museum collections and exhibitions are highlighted throughout every issue with contributions from ROM curators as well as scholars and researchers from around the world. Formerly entitled Rotunda, ROM magazine has brought exciting news of the Museum’s extensive research and collections to members and subscribers since 1968. ROM magazine can also be found on newsstands and in some of Ontario’s finest hotels, spas and recreational facilities.