Statements
Mission
Music City Children's Museum's mission is to inspire imagination, spark curiosity, and extend educational opportunities for children of every neighborhood through a safe and inclusive environment strengthening a foundation for learning that will last a lifetime.
Background
The Children's Museum Development Group is a 501c3 entity formed to bring a children's museum to Nashville. We recognized a substantial unmet need for an engaging, entertaining, and developmentally sound experience for children ages 1-10-regardless of means, celebrating differences in learning abilities and styles.
The steering committee contracted with Boston-based ConsultEcon, Inc and Haizlip Studios (Children's Museum Architects, Planners, Memphis, TN) to evaluate the potential of the Nashville market to support an early-childhood Children's Museum. It was a resounding yes! We have engaged civic and business leaders to bring a children's museum to Nashville.
Why a children's museum?
Children's museums are cultural institutions that offer informal learning experiences. Children will discover the world around them through exploration, experience, curiosity, and creativity.
Research shows that open-ended educational experiences are critical to a child's development. Children's museums help children develop essential foundational skills, spark their creativity, foster their curiosity, and give them a love of learning.
The MCCM will blend reality with entertainment, providing an authentic and powerful developmental experience and preparing kids to understand and manage their world. So while children have fun, they also learn!
Commitment to be a Museum for All
Opening with free admission in the Museums for All initiative, the Music City Children's Museum will underscore its mission to be an inclusive place for all children and families of our city. Museums for All is an initiative to ensure every family and child can access a high-quality museum experience. Participating museums offer free or deeply discounted admission to any individual or group of four participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by presenting an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card. To learn more, https://museums4all.org/.
Impact
Social Impact: The children's museum will serve as a community hub, bringing together families of every socio-economic status. Providing accessible learning experiences to all children-especially underrepresented groups-to broaden their exposure to the world around them and prepare them for school. We will incorporate features for children with visual and hearing impairments, autism, and other physical and learning differences.
Economic Impact: As cultural attractions, children's museums have a positive impact on the local economy by bringing visitors into the area. Research indicates the average museum visitor will spend $23 (and average tourists $38pp) beyond the cost of admission in nearby restaurants and shops. The Children's Museum of Indianapolis is a great example-a metropolitan area of comparable size received over 1.3 Million visitors in 2019, with revenue of $40 Million, logged roughly 100,000 volunteer hours, and employed over 400. It is the largest tourist attraction in Central Indiana, contributing roughly $150 Million per annum to the area economy. Supported by independent market research, the Music City Children's Museum will launch with a goal of 250,000 visitors in the first year of operation.
Educational Impact: Neuroscience has confirmed what the social sciences have long contended, that the first years of life are essential to future learning. 90% of brain development occurs before age five. Children's museums offer a dynamic opportunity to expose children to experiences and explore new things in a rich and educational environment. Children's museums help children develop essential foundational skills while respecting the diverse ways in which children learn and grow Middle and High School students will gain leadership and job skills by acting as docents and student leaders, under the supervision of qualified adults, to facilitate play and learning.
Needs
Funding to support the development of the capital campaign plan, materials, renderings, and execution.
CEO Statement
MCCM will be a world-class, music-themed children's museum providing vibrant, interactive exhibits that invite children and families to learn and explore.
The Music City Children's Museum will set itself apart from any museum in Nashville by serving a younger demographic and having a broad focus on performing arts, media, healthcare, transportation, logistics, international culture, agriculture, public safety, business, the environment, and civic life.
Board Chair Statement
Nashville needs a children's museum for early childhood development, recreational activities for young children, and resources for schools, families, and the community. Children's museums are cultural institutions that offer informal learning experiences. Children will discover the world around them through exploration, experience, curiosity, and creativity. The Children's Museum will have a broad focus touching on businesses, government, public safety, agriculture, industry, transportation, media, and performing arts. We recognized a substantial unmet need for an engaging, entertaining, and developmentally sound experience for children ages 1-12 regardless of means, while celebrating differences in learning abilities and styles.
Service Categories |
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| Primary Category: | Arts, Culture & Humanities - Children's Museums |
| Secondary Category: | Education - Educational Services |
| Tertiary Category: | Youth Development - Youth Development Programs |
Areas Served
Music City Children's Museum will be located in Nashville, Tn.
| TN - Williamson |
| TN - Davidson |
| TN - Cheatham |
| TN - Maury |
| TN - Montgomery |
| TN - Rutherford |
| TN - Trousdale |
| TN - Wilson |
| TN - Hickman |
| TN - Davidson |
