This new funding is part of the Fostering Character Through Children’s Museums initiative, which is helping children’s museums develop new or expand existing efforts that explore character traits such as curiosity, empathy, compassion, integrity, kindness, teamwork, respect, responsibility, courage, and community awareness. The Association of Children’s Museums has partnered with the Lilly Endowment on preparing children’s museums for this opportunity.
The museums awarded are as follows (ASTC members in bold):
- Boston Children’s Museum, Massachusetts, $2,499,243
- Children’s Museum Houston, Texas, $2,499,939
- Children’s Museum of Denver, Colorado, $2,500,000
- The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, Indiana, $3,500,000
- Children’s Museum of Phoenix, Arizona, $2,500,000
- Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, $2,490,400
- Discovery Center Museum, Rockford, Illinois, $2,497,698
- Discovery Cube Orange County, Santa Ana, California, $2,500,000
- Explora Science Center & Children’s Museum, Albuquerque, New Mexico, $2,500,000
- Glazer Children’s Museum, Tampa, Florida, $2,500,000
- Madison Children’s Museum, Wisconsin, $2,500,000
- The Magic House, Saint Louis, Missouri, $2,500,000
- Museum of Discovery and Science, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, $2,500,000
- The Strong National Museum of Play, Rochester, New York, $2,500,000
- Thanksgiving Point Institute, Lehi, Utah, $2,500,000
In a release, Ted Maple, the Lilly Endowment’s Vice President for Education and Youth Programs, said “Children’s museums are places where children of all ages can learn informally, discovering new ideas through play, multi-sensory experiences and self-expression. We are excited to see how the museums funded through this initiative will help children and their families to explore various character traits and reflect together on ways these traits can be practiced and strengthened.”
Additional Information:
- “Grants will help children’s museums nationwide foster character development,” November 26, 2024.
- Association of Children’s Museums. Fostering Character Through Children’s Museums.