exhibit critique: the children's museum of phoenix

EXHIBIT CRITIQUE: THE CHILDREN’S

MUSEUM OF PHOENIX

To engage the minds, muscles, and

imaginations of children and the

grown-ups who care about them.

Museum Mission

HISTORIC MONROE SCHOOL

Founded 1998 as Phoenix Family Museum.

In 2001, Phoenix voters passed a $10.5 million bond to purchase the historic Monroe School building.

The Museum launched its Childhood Dreams Built By You capital campaign to open the Museum that raised $12.3 million.

In 2005, the Phoenix Family Museum officially became the Children’s Museum of Phoenix.

Opened in 2008 by caring citizens & a partnership with the City of Phoenix.

Beginnings…

Community Brainstorming

Sessions

Imagine It…Postcard

Campaign

EXHIBIT COMMITTEE GUIDING PRINCIPLES

• Respect for the child and their caregiver• Through play, we learn• Openendedness• Not didactic • Culturally aware• Offer acceptable risk• Creative

PROTOTYPES/ˈprōdəˌtīp/ noun

An early sample, model, or release of a product built to test a concept or process or to act as a thing to be replicated or learned from.Source: www.wikipedia.com

Prototype: Shake, Rattle, and Roll

Museum without Wheels: Shake, Rattle, and Roam

Shake, Rattle, and Roam

Prototype: Straw Bale House

Prototype: Ice Castles

Current Exhibit: Building Big

Prototype: Toddler Panels

Exhibit Design – Under Three’s

Current Exhibit: Under Three’s

Prototype: Texture Café

Current Exhibit: Texture Café

Prototype: Noodle Forest

Current Exhibit: Noodle Forest

Prototype: Styrogami

PROTOTYPE: CREATING WITH

EVERYDAY OBJECTS

CURRENT EXHIBIT: ART STUDIO

Prototype: Wish Fish

Current exhibit: CD Wall

Prototype: Going Places

PROTOTYPE: PINK INC.

CURRENT EXHIBIT: CLIMBER

(CONSTRUCTION PHASE)

CURRENT EXHIBIT: CLIMBER

(COMPLETED EXHIBIT)

Prototype: Roxaboxen

Prototype: In the Pipeline

Current Exhibit: In the Pipeline

Prototype: Blockmania

Current Exhibit: Blockmania

RETHINKING IT

Pit Stop

SOMEPLACE

Move it!

• Valley cultural and educational institution• One of the top 3 Children’s Museums in the country

(Early Childhood Education Zone, 2015)

• Nearly 330,000 visitors annually, having reached our 2 millionth visitor in 2016

• Over 500 educational programs offered each year• Currently utilizing about 50,000

square feet, with over 20,000 square feet left to develop

WHERE WE ARE

Current Exhibits: Grand Ballroom

Current Exhibits: Pedal Power

Current Exhibit: Book Loft

Where we ARE GOING

The future at CMoP

A New Face

Currently in the process of expanding programming space, updating current exhibits, & planning for future exhibit spaces