CMSM opened its new permanent site with increased capacity to serve as an informal learning center that playfully engages children, families, and school groups in interactive experiences with the art and cultural heritage of southern Minnesota. With its current appropriation, CMSM is poised to strengthen its core as an institution that promotes arts and cultural heritage learning through continued
CMSM will build upon the work that began with its 2015-16 appropriation by (1) Remediation and further development of exhibit areas that promote Arts & Cultural Heritage (ACH) learning (2) Expanding ACH learning opportunities for new audiences at off-site locations; (3) Engaging an outside Evaluation Consultant to help plan/implement strategies that meaningfully assess ACH learning outcomes and impacts; (4) Boosting the Museum’s capacity to serve more school/early learning groups.
Our focus is on planning and implementation of programming suitable for indigenous and non-indigenous special-needs youth, that allows for an enriching experience that values indigenous culture and affords engaging and creative ways for learning and personal growth. We will modify the "traditional" Native Skywatchers We Are Stardust workshop training with follow-up transition and support for these youth to share Stardust workshop activities in the role of afterschool club leaders.