CHILDREN’S MUSEUMSPURPOSES. PRACTICES, AND PLAY

Zach Marvin and Katherine Bartos

INTRODUCTION

• 30 museums• 4 countries• 20 years

HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT

• Brooklyn Children’s Museum- 1899

• Philosophy• Discovery room- 1901• Adult facilitators- 1920’s• Creative exhibits- 1960’s• Increase in numbers

DEFINING

• User friendly

• Interactive

• Hands-on

• Attractive

• Non-threatening

• Stimulating environment

MISSION/GOALS• Learning

• Interactive/Hands-on

• Fun/Enjoyment

• Play

• Creativity/Imagination

• Discovery

• Children/Families

• Multi Cultural

MODELS

• Diverse facilities

• Specific programming

• Interactive exhibits

• Children’s gallery or room

• Permanent vs. temporary

• Scale over time

EXHIBITS

• Fostering pretend play

• Regional and country-specific

• International or multicultural

• Arts

• Science and Technology

TECHNOLOGY

• More varied and high-tech

• What is the purpose?

• Area of debate

• Balance

OUTREACH ACTIVITIES• Community involvement

• Loaning of materials

• Mobile exhibits

• Collaboration

• Libraries

• Bookstores

• Rental facility

• Sponsors

CHALLENGES

• Funding

• Attendance

• Publicity

• Appeal to all

• Documenting effects

• Family participation/interaction

REFERENCES

• http://www.amnh.org/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/

• http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cb/Childrens'_Museum_Indy_Interior.JPG

• http://mommypoppins.com/files/imagecache/full/images/Adams_House_1908.JPG

• http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d3/Brooklyn_Children's_Museum.JPG

• http://0.tqn.com/d/dc/1/0/e/u/1/Nat-Child-Museum-Main-Entrance.jpg

• http://nmnh.typepad.com/.a/6a01156e4c2c3d970c0134878e9e61970c-pi

• http://www.knightarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/IMG_6432.jpg

• http://www.mos.org/sites/dev-elvis.mos.org/files/images/main/offerings/tp/traveling-school-programs_starlab-portable-planetarium-3-5_domes.jpg

• http://www.thetech.org/sites/default/files/world-maker-faire-new-york-2013-nysci-9.jpg