Expanding New Children's Museum is not just for kids
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"El Más Allá" is an immersive art installation at The New Children's Museum. Photo: Kate Murphy/Axios
The New Children's Museum — a contemporary art museum with interactive exhibitions for kids — is undergoing a major expansion.
Why it matters: The renovations turn existing museum space, mostly administrative offices, into new art-making spaces that are more accessible for kids and adults.
- It also increases the museum's capacity by 50% to about 900 guests.
Zoom in: The upgrades include new gallery space, a pottery studio, classrooms and an outdoor patio open to visitors to make art.
- The Innovators LAB will move into an expanded art studio, which will be able to host up to 200 people instead of 15-20, with multiple classes at once.
- There will also be new programming for toddlers, teens and adults.
The big picture: The museum's art installations are designed for play.
- Kids can climb through a giant crocheted sculpture called a Whammock!, put on a puppet show or circus act in the colorful Teatro Piñata, use slides instead of stairs, and explore a treehouse-like labyrinth.
- Visitors can also meet famous artists, gaze at murals and sneak away to relaxing, low-sensory spaces.
Follow the money: The $2 million project has so far been funded by individual donors and a couple local partner organizations, according to the museum.
- They still needed to raise $500,000 for the expansion.
What's next: The spaces are under construction and will open in phases this year, starting with a new gallery space in August.
If you go: Visit the museum near the downtown waterfront from 9am to 4pm any day except Tuesday.
- Admission is free for members and babies; $20 for kids, military, educators and seniors; $24 for adults; and $2 for low-income individuals.
Some of the current art exhibits and studio spaces:
