Project highlights include two new permanent exhibits, new mezzanine levelenhanced existing galleries and permanent performance space for the Museum’s Imaginators
ATLANTA (April 28, 2015) – Children’s Museum of Atlanta officials announced today plans for a massive renovation of the downtown attraction. The project, set to be completed in late 2015, will add two new permanent exhibits and a new 3,000 square foot mezzanine level. Project highlights also include the reinvigoration of the four existing galleries of the Museum, the addition of a new permanent performance space for the Imaginators, the Museum’s troupe of professional actors and educators, and many other upgrades to existing spaces that will completely transform the experience for Museum visitors.
As Atlanta’s only children’s museum, this nonprofit organization was among the first to take an important step towards the revitalization of downtown Atlanta with its opening in 2003. Now, alongside the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, Center for Civil and Human Rights, College Football Hall of Fame and many others, the Children’s Museum of Atlanta has become an iconic gathering place for families representing the importance of early childhood education and the power of play. This extensive renovation allows the Museum to further its commitment to the community as a world-class children’s museum and continue to help ignite curiosity, imagination, problem-solving skills and a love of learning in the next generation of Atlantans.
“This is the Museum’s first major renovation since opening our doors 12 years ago, and we cannot wait to share all of the big improvements and additions coming our way with the community!” said Jane Turner, executive director of the Children’s Museum of Atlanta. “We have taken into account several years of extensive and thoughtful planning as well as combined feedback from our members, visitors, educators, industry experts and established Children’s Museums around the country to ensure every detail of the redesigned Museum will be reflective of our community’s needs. It truly will be a world-class children’s museum unlike any other!”
Once completed, the newly renovated space will feature targeted, age-appropriate programming with the adaptability to correspond to changing themes, enabling the Museum to be a source for hands-on, experiential learning and engagement. In addition to literacy, social studies, health, nutrition and the arts, Children’s Museum programming will have a new focus on science, technology, engineering and math education (STEM) to equip young visitors with the skills needed to drive innovation, foster critical thinking and make meaningful connections between school, community, work and global issues.
Specific project highlights include:
New Learning Zones:
- As the Museum’s signature new central exhibit, “Gateway to the World” will raise visitors’ experiences to the moon. Designed as a two-story climbing structure, this exhibit will invite children to climb through the layers of the earth and enter a one-of-a-kind, child-powered, rotating globe! Six interactive continent-shaped tables will surround the base of the structure engaging children in a variety of hands-on activities to discover geography, geology, astronomy, physics, aerodynamics and more.
- “Step Up To Science” will be located on the new mezzanine level to bring science, technology, engineering and math to life! Visitors can conduct real science experiments and watch live demonstrations at a permanent science bar and more.
Revitalized Learning Zones:
All of the current learning zones will be enhanced with new components and state-of-the art technology. Once renovated, the Museum will feature many beloved favorites, alongside new surprises.
- “Tools for Solutions” explores the science of building through four learning environments, teaching visitors that even the most complex problems can be solved step-by-step with a solid strategy and through the use of tools. Children hone early and more complex math skills, as they learn the importance of processes and sequencing. This multi-layered zone will reach all ages by incorporating building workshops in a new lab into the Museum’s regular programming, featuring a new construction house to teach what is “behind the walls” and offering additional opportunities for designing and building.
- “Fundamentally Food” will strengthen visitors’ understanding of how food functions as an integral part of daily life. Educational programming and role-play opportunities on the farm, in the grocery store and in the new “Diner” area will promote an understanding about the path of food from farm-to-table, introduce food as a significant aspect of all cultures, address the importance of food as it relates to health and well-being and more.
- “Let Your Creativity Flow” will encourage children to experiment with music and explore the visual arts in a flexible, small group setting. Lessons incorporating various media and the use of musical instruments will encourage each young visitor to find and hone their creative genius. Additionally, this will house the new “Maker Space,” which will provide a place to empower young children to harness their own ideas to build inventions and artistic creations. This program will feature extensive opportunities for partnership with schools and child development centers.
- “Leaping Into Learning” will continue to provide the Museum’s youngest visitors with many opportunities for self-discovery and development of self-confidence. This learning zone will engage visitors through tactile experiences and fun ways for pre-walkers to explore the world around them.
The Children’s Museum of Atlanta will close for a brief period beginning on August 1, 2015 to complete renovation work. The Museum is expected to unveil its new space in late 2015.
Additional details about the renovation, including educational programming details, new exhibit components and more, will be announced in the near future.
