A Time of Change – and a New Strategic Plan

Spring is always a much-awaited time of growth and rebirth, perhaps more so this snowy year than ever before!  And the Children’s Museum is in the midst of our own period of evolution as we search for a dynamic new leader to follow the three-decade legacy of former director Janice O’Donnell and work with Board and staff to shape the Museum’s future.

That future is founded on the Museum’s new strategic plan, developed over the last year with input from Board, staff and volunteers and adopted this winter.  Our road map for the next three years, the plan outlines major goals and the strategies for achieving them, in addition to and in support of the work required to run the Museum on a daily basis:

• Ensure excellent visitor experiences – in our exhibits, environments, activities and facilities, and through interaction with staff and volunteers – that deliver on our mission to inspire and celebrate children’s learning through active play and exploration.
• Go beyond the Museum’s walls to reach underserved children and families, continuing and deepening our outreach to out-of-school time and early childhood programs, community centers and parks in urban neighborhoods, as well as through therapeutic visitation for at-risk families.
• Advance the Museum’s leadership role as a strong and visible advocate for children’s right to and need for self-directed free play.
• Ensure an active and engaged Board of Directors that reflects the community and furthers the Museum’s mission.
• Ensure a well-qualified, highly motivated and diverse staff to provide excellent programming and management.
• Ensure the Museum has the financial resources to accomplish its goals through diverse sources of income.
• Ensure the Museum’s successful future growth and that it continues to meet community needs.

While we have important work ahead of us to make sure the Museum remains a vital and growing community resource, the Museum is solid, fiscally strong and poised for positive change. We look forward to sharing the next phase of our journey with you – our members, donors, partners and friends – and welcome your ideas as we navigate the challenges and opportunities the future holds.

– Megan Fischer, Interim Executive Director