Duluth Children’s Museum

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2020 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$69,000
Fund Source
Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund
Recipient
Duluth Children’s Museum
Recipient Type
Non-Profit Business/Entity
Status
Completed
Start Date
July 2019
End Date
September 2020
Activity Type
Education/Outreach/Engagement
Counties Affected
Aitkin
Carlton
Cook
Itasca
Koochiching
Lake
Pine
St. Louis
Aitkin
Carlton
Cook
Itasca
Koochiching
Lake
Pine
St. Louis
Project Overview

After the recent purchase of a new building that will become the future home of the Duluth Children’s Museum, this project will facilitate the transition to this new space while continuing to provide regionally focused play and learning experiences that are accessible to all children.

Competitive Grant Making Body
Advisory Group Members and Qualifications

Myra Peffer (Bemidji, MN): Myra was the Executive Director of a children’s museum in Vermont, and has consulted with many museums (including the Children’s Discovery Museum) as a now-resident of Minnesota. She was recommended by the Children’s Discovery Museum, and recused herself of that scoring/discussion.
Bette Schmit (St Paul, MN): Bette Schmit is the Exhibit Developer at the Science Museum of Minnesota – recommended by Carol Aegerter, her expertise is in exhibit design and support.
Josh Ney (Minneapolis, MN): Josh Ney is a board member of the Minnesota Humanities Center, and also has experience working with the legislature and the Legacy Committee.

Conflict of Interest Disclosed
No
Conflict of Interest Contact

Laura Benson

Minnesota Humanities Center

laura@mnhum.org

651-772-4244

Legal Citation / Subdivision
Minn. State Legislature Article 4, Section 2, Subdivision 8, (c)
Appropriation Language

$625,000 each year is for grants to other children’s museums to pay for start-up costs or new exhibit and program development. Funds are to be distributed through a competitive grant process. The Minnesota Humanities Center must administer these funds using established grant mechanisms.

2020 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$69,000
Direct expenses
$69,000
Administration costs
$0
Number of full time equivalents funded
0.5
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)
  1. Museum visitors will experience engaging, interactive rotating exhibits that draw from the region's community, history, and culture. The addition of these experiences will result in increased attendance and position the museum as a desirable attraction in the community. Attendance will increase by 5% compared to 2018-2019.
  2. Legacy funded exhibits will be prepared for their move to the new location.
Measurable Outcome(s)

Following the Giant Boardgame exhibit, the museum brought in Dinosaurs: Land of Fire and Ice from the Minnesota Children's Museum. Complimentary programming, including the use of "field jackets" for digging out actual dinosaur bones, has been designed to enhance the experience.

Legacy funded exhibits have been prepared for their move to the museum's new location, with a goal for opening the site in mid-January 2021.

Proposed Outcomes Achieved
achieved proposed outcomes
Recipient Board Members
Kyle Terrio-Johnson, Kelly Davidson, Max Rubin, Patty Cartier, Dana Kazel, JoAnn Mattson, Erica Henkel
Project Manager
First Name
Cameron
Last Name
Kruger
Organization Name
Duluth Children's Museum
Street Address
115 S 29th Ave West
City
Duluth
State
MN
Zip Code
55806
Phone
218-733-7543
Email
cameron@playduluth.org
Administered By
Administered by
Location

987 Ivy Avenue East
St. Paul, MN 55106

Phone
651-774-0205
Email the Agency