Future Plans

In November 2008, when a Charrette event facilitated by Lexington, Inc. brought forth the grand vision for the future Children’s Museum of the Prescott area, its development had been in process for almost four years. It was October 2004, when Judy Paris attended an education conference where a Children’s Museum program was presented, demonstrating the need for hands-on, discovery-based programs for young children, that the initial vision was born: to design, create and establish a Children’s Museum for local children and all the children who visit the Prescott area with the deep rooted educational theories and information from the brain research on child development to improve opportunities for all.

During a two-day Charrette with founding board members and Lexington, an experienced museum design and fabrication company, the museum was designed to focus on STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and the Fine Arts. The group hopes that it will instill in children a desire to recognize and celebrate who they are, understand how they fit in their current environment, and to recognize how they can make a difference in the global society. This museum will be a place where children will learn to be problem solvers, critical thinkers, natural creatives, self-initiators, and future leaders.

As you can see from the Charrette participants' conceptualization and Lexington's designs, the Museum will house permanent exhibits, traveling shows and special events. We will include classrooms, laboratories, a planetarium, a nature exchange area, a non-lending library, a specialty retail shop, and a food center. Activities will include artist-expert workshops and seminars, camps, outreach events and programs, seasonal and traveling exhibits, and outdoor parks and gardens. We plan to base ourselves in a primary community location adjacent to other well established educational facilities.

the spot...a Child’s Museum will be a premier destination site for children and families. Its structure focuses on the future and its programs will offer an innovative and ecologically minded environment that promotes the “green” initiative. It is our goal to use non-toxic, recycled, and sustainable materials, renewable resources, socially responsible practices, and earth-friendly behaviors in our buildings, our exhibits, our activities and programs.

The Museum will be managed by a full-time and part-time staff (with background and experience in education and other related fields) and will also incorporate trainees and volunteers whenever possible. Structured activities and events will be led by community experts as much as possible. Classrooms and laboratories will be staffed by certified teachers in the fields of science, math, and the arts.

The Museum Board has targeted an estimated 10 year time-line and $20 Million capital campaign to accomplish this vision. Be a part of bringing this unmatched central Arizona asset to life through your generous, tax-deductible gift. Images: All Rights Reserved - used with permission from Lexington Design + Fabrication