Experience Development Project, Phase II

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2013 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$125,000
Fund Source
Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund
Recipient
Children's Museum of Southern Minnesota
Recipient Type
Non-Profit Business/Entity
Status
Completed
Start Date
December 2012
End Date
June 2013
Activity Type
Demonstration/Pilot Project
Education/Outreach/Engagement
Planning
Counties Affected
Aitkin
Anoka
Blue Earth
Brown
Carver
Chisago
Cottonwood
Crow Wing
Dakota
Dodge
Douglas
Faribault
Fillmore
Freeborn
Goodhue
Grant
Hennepin
Isanti
Itasca
Jackson
Le Sueur
Lyon
Martin
McLeod
Mower
Nicollet
Nobles
Olmsted
Otter Tail
Pipestone
Ramsey
Redwood
Renville
Rice
Scott
Sibley
St. Louis
Stearns
Steele
Swift
Waseca
Washington
Watonwan
Winona
Wright
Aitkin
Anoka
Blue Earth
Brown
Carver
Chisago
Cottonwood
Crow Wing
Dakota
Dodge
Douglas
Faribault
Fillmore
Freeborn
Goodhue
Grant
Hennepin
Isanti
Itasca
Jackson
Le Sueur
Lyon
Martin
McLeod
Mower
Nicollet
Nobles
Olmsted
Otter Tail
Pipestone
Ramsey
Redwood
Renville
Rice
Scott
Sibley
St. Louis
Stearns
Steele
Swift
Waseca
Washington
Watonwan
Winona
Wright
Project Overview

The Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota (CMSM) will complete the innovative community engagement process started with the previous Legacy grant. CMSM will build upon the progress created with the previous Legacy grant by transitioning the team's focus to carrying-out of strategic access strategies that engage a diversity of community members in the exhibit development process, resulting in the completion of fabrication plans for exhibits and environments that are accessible; engaging; and reflect the diverse art, culture, and heritage of southern Minnesota. With this grant, the community engagement project will be expanded to include the development and evaluation of complimentary programatic offerings.

About the Issue

In 2007, the Children's Museum of Southern Minnesota (CMSM) conducted an environmental scan of informal early learning opportunities for children in southern Minnesota. It became apparent that our region creates few opportunities for children to engage in self-directed learning experiences in social settings; in particular, opportunities that create access to arts, culture, and heritage. In the previous grant, CMSM began to address this need by engaging diverse segments of the community in prototyping exhibits and environments. As a community initiated museum, CMSM aims to create exhibits and environments that connect to the art, culture, and heritage of the region in ways that allow everyone to participate.

Legal Citation / Subdivision
Minnesota Law 2011 (Special Session), Chp. 6, Art. 4, Sec. 2, Subd. 8
Appropriation Language

Children's Museums Grants. $500,000 the first year and $500,000 the second year are for a competitive Arts and Cultural Heritage Grants Program-Children's Museums. The board of directors shall solicit proposals and award grants to children's museums for projects and programs that maintain or promote our cultural heritage.

2013 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$125,000
Direct expenses
$76,095
Administration costs
$48,905
Number of full time equivalents funded
3.31
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

1. Increased participation of children, families, and community partners in the exhibit development process.2. Increased participation in the exhibit development process by children and families experiencing barriers to participation because of socio economic factors, cultural background, geographic isolation, and ability or special need.3. Increased involvement from community stakeholders.4. Completed fabrication plans5. Increased organizational development and capacity in delivering informal learning experiences that create access to explorations of art, culture, and heritage.6. Increased organizational capacity to effectively evaluate and report impacts.

Measurable Outcome(s)

1. Prototyped many STEAM programs, held outreach meeting to solicit input, made exhibit prototype adjustments, and held exhibit redesign meeting with team.
2. Connected with STEAM partners in the community and held Access Family Days (166 visitors), issued Access Family Punch Cards to 19 families.
3. Staff toured local children's museums and completed professional development that corresponded with individual needs and responsibilities.

Recipient Board Members
Brian Benshoof, CEO, MRCI Worksource; Laura Bowman, Director, Greater Mankato Area United Way; Dr. Brenda Flannery, Dean, College of Business, MNSU; Linda Frost, Retired Early Childhood Specialist, ECFE; Kaaren Grabianowski, CEO/Owner, Events & Expos;
Mary Jo Hensel, Retired Director, ECFE; Nick Hinz, Financial Services, Frandsen Bank and Trust; Lyle Jacobson, Former Owner, Katolight; Eric Lennartson, Designer/Marketing, Paulsen Architects; Naomi Mortensen, Donor Relations/Advancement, Gustavus Adolphus College; Jean Peterson, Retired Director, Children’s House, MNSU; Christine Powers, Partner, Abdo Eick & Meyers; Tom Riley, Retired Executive, Midwest Wireless; Beth Serrill, Partner, Blethen Gage & Krause; Dr. Katie Smentek, Pediatrician, Mankato Clinic;
Laura Stevens, Greater Mankato Area United Way; Karen Wahlstrom, Retired Early Childhood Specialist, ECFE; Pam Willard, Director, Golden Heart
Project Manager
Salutation
Mr.
First Name
Peter
Last Name
Olson
Organization Name
Children's Museum of Southern Minnesota
Street Address
PO Box 3103
City
Mankato
State
MN
Zip Code
56002
Email
peter.olson@cmsouthernmn.org
Administered By
Administered by
Location

987 Ivy Avenue East
St. Paul, MN 55106

Phone
651-774-0205
Email the Agency