Annual Report FY0708
Madison Children’s Museum Annual Report
July 1, 2007 – June 30, 2008
View the full report: Madison Children’s Museum FY07-08 Annual Report
Something New at Madison Children’s Museum
At Madison Children’s Museum, there is something new to do every day. In addition to ongoing daily programs, Madison Children’s Museum has instituted several new week-long thematic programs throughout the year to engage children during school breaks and to introduce families to exhibit-related vocations.
Winter Wonder Week gives families a warm and fun way to spend the school break celebrating all of the great things about Wisconsin’s winter season. Families can learn how people and animals survive harsh winter climates, celebrate seasonal holidays, and experiment with snow and ice in a winter science lab.
The museum also established Healthy Habits Week now held each spring, which features fun, body-smart activities each day. Kids learn to grow vegetables, prepare healthy snacks, and keep safe while enjoying their favorite outdoor activities.
Careers in Construction is a week of engaging programs including Demonstration: Tools and Trades, which allows both adults and children to meet guest volunteers from construction careers and learn how tools and special equipment are used on the job.
Outreach Leaps up the Charts!
As Madison Children’s Museum strives to provide learning opportunities for all children in the area, our Family Access and Discovery to Go programs, designed to reduce barriers to museum participation, continue to grow in size and stature.
Thanks to a $70,000 grant from American Honda Foundation, a significant national funder, Madison Children’s Museum has added a bi-lingual educator and has nearly doubled our capacity to develop and deliver mobile outreach exhibits and programs. The newest mobile exhibit, Leap Into Lakes, is designed to spark children’s curiosity and engage them in the exploration of lakes, plants, fish, birds, ecosystems, and watersheds while enhancing early childhood math and science.
Program reach outside the museum walls increased by over 10,000 children last year.
Capital Campaign into Public Phase
On May 12, 2008, Madison Children’s Museum took the first steps of making our new building a reality, by unveiling plans for our new facility at 100 N. Hamilton Street to the general public. Museum leaders outlined the $10 million “Ready, Set…Grow” capital campaign and recognized major donors to the project.
On opening day in 2010, MCM’s new facility will have three times the public space of our current location, with room to expand to five times the current size. The museum will be able to serve approximately 100 more visitors per day in the new, larger location. Other features include newly designed exhibits, increased educational programs and public performances, accommodations for school groups, on-site parking, and improved visitor amenities like food service.
The renovation will feature a rooftop terrace with natural vegetation, gardens, and play areas, as well a children’s clubhouse and greenhouse. The new exhibits, in keeping with the current museum, will be built using natural materials, as well as nontoxic paints and flooring. Drawing on our mission to develop a sense of place for children, works from local artisans will be featured throughout the museum and exhibits built from local materials.
Kids for Peace Celebrates 10 years
Kids for Peace Day 10th Anniversary Celebration was held on Saturday, September 22, 2007, with stage performances, art activities, and a parade around the Capitol Square. This tradition began in the spirit of having a local event to participate in the global celebrations of UN International Day of Peace and Culture of Peace Month.
Madison Children’s Museum’s Kids for Peace Day was presented by Jack Lussier – pictured here with MCM employees and friends – with additional support from Dane County Cultural Affairs Commission and Madison Arts Commission.
Download the full Madison Children’s Museum FY07-08 Annual Report which includes the statement of financial activities and donor recognition.
