Expanding Arts, Culture, and Heritage Learning through New Exhibit and Program Experiences
The Children's Museum of Southern Minnesota (CMSM) will build upon a strong foundation of Minnesota Arts, Culture and Heritage (ACH) learning experiences made possible at CMSM with previous Minnesota Legacy funding support to:
* Establish new exhibits designed to enhance ACH learning at the Museum.
* Expand existing exhibits with new additions designed to broaden ACH learning.
* Develop and implement new ACH programming designed to deepen new exhibit experiences.
* Reconnect with early learning through third grade educators and students from across southern Minnesota as classrooms emerge from the pandemic in order to invite their input around the development and implementation of new group visit/learning programming that has been designed to address post-pandemic ACH learning needs, interests, and goals.
2022-2023 Children's Museum Competitive Legacy Grant
As a result of this project:
CMSM WILL EXPERIENCE INCREASED CAPACITY to serve as a valuable resource to promote MN Arts, Culture, and Heritage learning through:
* The addition of dynamic new exhibits and exhibit experiences.
* The implementation of new hands-on learning opportunities through programming tied to new exhibit experiences.
* Inviting the input of educators from across our region to develop new group visit/learning experiences that are aligned with students' ACH learning needs, interests, and goals as well as reflect the capacity/preferences of early learning centers and schools as they emerge from the pandemic.
In addition, MORE MINNESOTANS OF DIVERSE GEOGRAPHIES, AGES, ABILITIES, AND INCOMES WILL BENEFIT:
* New and enhanced exhibit and programming experiences will attract diverse audiences from across Minnesota to participate in ACH learning opportunities at the Museum at pre-pandemic levels.
* New group visit/learning experiences will engage and enrich early learning through third grade audiences at pre-pandemic levels.
* 90% of visitors engaged in evaluation processes associated with new exhibit and programming experiences will indicate positive learning outcomes and satisfaction related to their ACH learning experiences.
The CMSM seeks funding from other grantors, exhibit sponsors and general support from donors in order to cover the full costs of the exhibits.; The CMSM received grants from the following organizations to support access programs, STEAM, general operations, early childhood education initiatives.
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development $15,000
Olseth Family Foundation $10,000
Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation $7,250
U.S. Bank Foundation $7,500
Walmart Foundation $3,500
Xcel Energy Foundation $5,000
Mat Greiner, Twin Rivers Council for the Arts, Executive Director
Rick Halbur, Gislason & Hunter LLP, Partner
Ann Hendricks, Retired, ISD #77 School Board, Retired, Board Officer
Mohamed Ibrahim, WellShare International, Lead Internal Consultant
Linda Leiding, Harry Meyering Center, Executive Director
Trevor Park United Prairie Bank, Assistant Vice President
Sarah Richards, Jones Metal Inc. , President & CEO
Sue Schwickert, Retired, Technology Director
Paul Shneider Fafinski Mark & Johnson, P.A., Shareholder
Parker Skophammer, City of Mankato, Director of Administrative Services
Jerhod Smithback, Nidec/Kato Engineering, Vice President
DQ Spencer, Ph.D, Minnesota State University, Mankato, Professor, College of Business
Tara Torseth, Abdo, CPA, MBT, Partner
Chastity Valvick, Compeer Financial, Communications Consultant
Shane Van Engen, Frandsen Bank, Vice President
Heather VonBank, PhD., Minnesota State University, Mankato, Chair, Department of Family and Consumer Science
Gwen Westerman, PhD., Minnesota State University, Mankato, Professor, College of Arts & Humanities
Christi Wilking, Mayo Clinic Health System, Community Relations Officer; Heather Carlson, D.O.
Rick Halbur
Katie Heintz
Mohamed Ibrahim
Linda Leiding
Mollie Meyer
Trevor Park
Sheri Sander-Silva
Sue Schwickert
Paul Shneider
Parker Skophammer
Jerhod Smithback
DQ Spencer, Ph.D
Tara Torseth
Chastity Valvick
Shane Van Engen
Heather Von Bank, PhD.
Gwen Westerman, PhD.
Christi Wilking; Dr. Heather Carlson, Mankato Clinic, D.O. OB-Gyn
Rick Halbur, Gislason & Hunter LLP, Partner
Ann Hendricks, Retired, ISD #77 School Board, Retired, Board Officer
Mohamed Ibrahim, WellShare International, Lead Internal Consultant
Linda Leiding, Harry Meyering Center, Executive Director
Trevor Park United Prairie Bank, Assistant Vice President
Sarah Richards, Jones Metal Inc., President & CEO
Sue Schwickert, Retired, Technology Director
Paul Shneider Fafinski Mark & Johnson, P.A., Shareholder
Parker Skophammer, City of Mankato, Director of Administrative Services
Jerhod Smithback, Nidec/Kato Engineering, Vice President
DQ Spencer, Ph.D, Minnesota State University, Mankato, Professor, College of Business
Tara Torseth, Abdo, CPA, MBT, Partner
Chastity Valvick, Compeer Financial, Communications Consultant
Shane Van Engen, Frandsen Bank, Vice President
Heather VonBank, PhD., Minnesota State University, Mankato, Chair, Department of Family and Consumer Science
Gwen Westerman, PhD., Minnesota State University, Mankato, Professor, College of Arts & Humanities
Christi Wilking, Mayo Clinic Health System, Community Relations Officer