Children’s museums offer an important physical infrastructure in communities. Some children’s museums are also the library, the after-school enrichment center, the summer camp as well as the local voting precinct. A true town square attracts all community members. Children’s museums not only attract but also reach beyond specific programming to address basic questions of access and reach. Many feature bi-and trilingual signage and educational materials, offer discounted/free admission days and bring museum resources directly into neighborhood settings. Children’s museums intentionally and thoughtfully welcome community participation in the museum experience. Children’s museums invite local citizens to demonstrate talents and to share from their cultural backgrounds. Through all these actions, children’s museums help build strong communities.
Through the network of children’s museums, innovative ideas—such as forming city-wide partnerships to coordinate a kindergarten preparedness program, an outreach art program for homeless children or a family learning program that teaches parents and caregivers how to support their children’s school learning—are passed on from museum to museum, and interpreted for each community.
SOURCE: Association of Children's Museum: "The Case for Children's Museums." Available at www.childrensmuseums.org/
Submitted by: Scott McVarish
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