Children's Museum of Southern Minnesota
September 24, 2024
Amount Requested$10,000.00
224 Lamm Street
Mankato, Minnesota 56001
Louise Dickmeyer
CEO
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- Broaden Perspectives Through Art, Culture, Literature or Extracurricular Experiences
Program Support
To ignite the natural curiosity of every child through the power of play in a dynamic awe-inspiring environment.
$10,000.00
$10,000.00
$1,534,206.00
Yes
INTRODUCTION: The CMSM is grateful for the support of exhibits and general operations in past years. The Olseth Family Foundation supported the development of an indoor water feature in 2016. While that project was suspended for a time, it is now a priority for 2025. CMSM has designs for the Mni Wiconi (Water Gives Life) water feature working in partnership with St. Paul firm, KidZibits. Installation will likely take place in 2026. Dr. Gwen Westerman, Minnesota Poet Laureate, and CMSM Director is connecting to the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Committee Foundation to request a $1M grant for this exhibit. That funding along with the Olseth Family Foundation seed grant will make this exhibit a reality.
2024 PROJECT SUMMARY: The CMSM multi-year expansion to create a 3.5-acre campus and a new nature-based play experience is well underway. Within the new addition, a dedicated space will be used as a sensory space serving children with neuro-sensitivities. The space will also house a new Center for Childhood. Its vision is to “Enrich the lives of children through spaces that delight, connections that Invite, opportunities that build might, and play that ignites the potential of every child.” The goal is to inspire all children so that they may discover their potential through engagement in diverse, welcoming, and creative opportunities. This work is centered around community efforts to promote, support, and nurture the healthy development and overall well-being of children and families.
CMSM provides a unique setting for families facing barriers. Children's museums are often described as a "third space" -- a place where children, families, and communities can come together outside of the home and school. This unique environment can help children develop socially, emotionally, and cognitively, and can also strengthen mental health and physical wellness.
Our community and its children along with their families will benefit when a museum-centered, community-based Center for Childhood provides an attractive and dynamic 'Town Square." The CFC is a gathering place with families, activities, opportunities, experiences, resources and networks. The Center supports the positive development of children and families and to help them achieve their goals. Specific goals and outcomes are listed below.
The CMSM Center for Childhood mission is guided by a collaboration of community Impact Partners. Impact partners will be invited to serve on an exploration committee to determine exactly how the Center should be developed, design the space, and scope the programs. Gateway to Play Members will also be invited to participate to help shape effective initiatives. This grant will support these important formative steps. Prospects for this committee include:
-MAPS- Early Childhood/Special Education
-Fernbrook Family Center
-Blue Earth County Human Services
-Mankato Clinic
-Mayo Clinic Health System
-YWCA
-First Steps- Blue Earth County
-Feeding Our Community Partners
-COPAL
-Open Door Health Center
-Greater Mankato Area United Way
-CMSM Members & Gateway to Play Scholarship Members
-Community Partners
-Founders-visionaries
This grant will cover meeting expenses to convene the planning group in multiple sessions, cultivate a resource list, and create a final design plan for development of the space.
102,000
Visitors from 29 U.S. States and all of Minnesota
Reach out to and connect with children and families in need.
Promote child/family health and well-being across a range of indicators-physical, cognitive, social-emotional, language-literacy.
Particularly and intentionally, engage families that may experience barriers due to income, language or cultural factors, isolation, ability / specific needs -- to the greatest extent possible.
Alternative space to engage with for children with neuro diverse needs.
Food Access
Diaper Bank/Formula Bank
Informational resources - social worker that can link to these resources - links to our Impact Partners
Medical/Dental outreach - have on site partnerships where specific services can be provided in a intentional space than what we have had in the past.
Mental Health support-therapy onsite
Community Meeting Space
Quantitative. Using a Blackbaud CRM system, CMSM tracks visitors to the Museum in general as well as Gateway to Play Members. We strive to maintain 33% of GTP members at all times. The Center will track the numbers of families served as it relates to a specific initiative within the CRM system and through registration or waiver forms.
Qualitative. CMSM techniques to evaluate exhibits and programs include regular data collection, surveys, and feedback mechanisms to monitor progress and help to adapt strategies to achieve desired outcomes. Staff will also observe visitor interactions over a period of time and will speak one on one with caregivers and children to solicit feedback and data. Minnesota Learning Standards are tracked and reported when applicable. Working with Impact Partners, CMSM will be able to ascertain the effectiveness of the programs within the Center and further refine as needed. Impact Partners meet collectively at the Museum twice a year.
10/01/2024
03/31/2025
Our access initiatives are some of the most significant collaborations which include:
In 2023 CMSM invested over $119,657.50 in access opportunities to families and organizations in our region. 2024 is on track to be significantly more of an investment.
Gateway to Play Museum Scholarships - Museum Membership available to families that experience barriers to Museum. Current GTP members = 1,029.
Sensory Awareness and Accessibility Playtimes - Quarterly opportunities for children with sensory challenges or other special needs and their families to experience the Museum.
Military Appreciation Events & Blue Star Museum Initiative - Free access for current and past military service members – along with their children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren.
Impact Partners - The Museum engages in collaborative partnerships with child and family service organizations, non-profits and supporting organizations from throughout the community and extending into the Southern MN region. Impact Partners pass along information about Museum access opportunities with the families that they serve, as well as by providing more streamlined access to the Museum by sharing Free Family Admission Passes and connecting their families with Gateway to Play Museum Membership.
Highlights
COPAL of MN Immunization Clinic at the CMSM where they provide families with services.
Feeding Our Community Partners included 1000 Free Family Passes into their June and November Backpack Food boxes.
Mankato Family YMCA Brother/Sister Mentoring Program Activity Card - free admission for both child & mentor.
Collaborative programming with Wellshare International, Living Earth Center, Connections Shelter, Blue Earth County Human Services and Life Work Planning Center.
Engaging with Teenage Parent Program (TAPP). This introduces the teen parents in the group to our environment and we can assist them get signed up for Gateway to Play memberships or Gateway to Baby Play.
Supporting local high school Child Development classes. We provide a tour and opportunity to talk about our Play & Learning Framework and how we support children through their experience here at CMSM. We have worked with MAPS Central High School, Blue Earth Area Schools and USC Schools.
Partnering with the Family Literacy Class through Adult Basic Ed. Bringing them to our space, providing a tour and connecting them with opportunities to come and play with their children.
Created content for Greater Mankato Area United Way newsletter.
Greater Mankato Area United Way Reading Festival participant.
Hosted "Single Caregiver of Children Resource Fair" with Life-Works Planning Center and 19 different organizations and nonprofits supporting families in our region.
Taking Care of Your Teeth - Oral Health Care Screening events 4 times a year. Children can get an oral screening and we provide resources for referrals or prevention.
Hosting the Lake Crystal Lions Club KidsSight Vision Clinic. This program helps to find vision concerns early in children so referrals can be made and corrected before major needs arise.
Hosting Mankato YWCA New Families advisory group.
Support Professional Memberships - Museum memberships offer an opportunity for home visits and family support program professionals to accompany families In a comfortable, neutral location. Memberships held by Fernbrook Family Center Inc., Mankato Area Public Schools: Early Learning Dept., Blue Earth County Human Services, M.A.P.S Futures School and M.V.A.C. Head Start Home Visitors.
School Group Visits - Group Visits will all receive a 10% discount per student and 50% off discount for chaperones/staff. In 2023, 1007 adults and 3,235 students participated.
Museums for All - Through the national program, Museums for All, guests who do not want to participate or qualify for our Gateway to Play but have a SNAP card or WIC card can receive admission for the discounted price of $3.00 per immediate family member. 2024 admissions = 267 through July.
The committee will be formed and will begin meeting by December 11, 2024. Their work is slated to end in first quarter 2025.
Signed-Final-Report-and-Financial-Statements-Electronic-copy1.pdf
Unapproved