Museums today are at a crossroads, evolving from places where history is preserved into dynamic spaces that foster learning, spark creativity, and build community. They have become essential hubs of education and engagement, particularly for underserved populations. But the journey of transformation for these institutions is not without challenges. In the most recent episode of Empowering Young Minds, Laura Huerta Migus, Deputy Director for Museum Services at the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), explored the current state of the museum field, the challenges museums face, and their role in shaping a brighter future for communities around the world. Her insights shine a light on the vital work museums do and the strategies they need to adopt in order to thrive in an ever-changing world.
At the heart of Laura and Arthur’s conversation is the recognition that museums are no longer just buildings filled with artifacts. As Laura notes, they are dynamic institutions that play a pivotal role in the educational and cultural fabric of society. These spaces offer much more than a window into the past; they provide essential services that help foster curiosity, inspire creativity, and encourage learning.
Children’s museums, in particular, have been pioneers in shaping the visitor experience. These institutions encourage children to interact with their surroundings in ways that are both educational and fun, breaking down barriers to learning by making it hands-on and accessible. But there’s a gap that many institutions face—between delivering inspiring programs and managing the operational demands that sustain these spaces. One of the key points that Laura raises is that, while many museums excel at creating community-focused programs, they often struggle to manage their operational needs effectively. This reality is not new, but it’s become more pressing in today’s complex landscape.
There is a growing list of challenges that museums face today, ranging from funding shortages to dealing with natural disasters, demographic changes, security threats, and even political tensions. The museum sector, like so many others, was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced closures and led to a drastic reduction in visitor numbers. While some institutions have since reopened, many are still struggling to return to pre-pandemic attendance levels.
Additionally, as Laura explains, the philanthropic landscape has shifted dramatically. Museums can no longer rely solely on traditional sources of revenue, such as donations or ticket sales, to keep their doors open. They must now think more strategically about sustainability and innovation. This means moving away from short-term fixes and instead developing long-term business models that support both their educational mission and their financial needs.
Beyond financial struggles, museums are also grappling with societal and political changes. Laura points to several incidents where museums have faced bomb threats, digital disruptions, or have been caught up in the so-called “culture wars” over diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. In certain areas, even mentioning DEI can provoke controversy, and this has put additional strain on institutions trying to navigate an increasingly polarized environment.
Despite these daunting obstacles, Laura and Arthur are optimistic about the potential of museums to emerge stronger and more resilient. Museums have always been adaptive, and now, more than ever, they are being called upon to rethink their operations and their role in the community.
Museums for All— an initiative that highlights the power of accessibility in creating lasting community impact. Launched in 2014, Museums for All was designed to make museums more accessible to low-income families, allowing them to visit participating institutions either for free or for a small fee. The program has been a tremendous success, with millions of visits facilitated and over a thousand museums participating across the United States.
This initiative is a prime example of how museums can redefine themselves in the public eye, moving away from being perceived as elitist spaces and toward being inclusive community hubs. Laura emphasizes that the program didn’t come from a top-down directive; it was born out of the needs and feedback from the field itself. This grassroots-driven approach reflects a growing recognition that museums need to engage with the communities they serve, rather than simply providing content in a one-sided way.
The Museums for All initiative is more than just a ticketing program. It challenges long-held assumptions about who museums are for, helping to break down barriers of class and education. As Laura explains, children’s museums have long been at the forefront of this shift. They were among the first to create spaces where all children, regardless of their background, could learn through play and hands-on engagement. Museums for All takes this concept further, helping museums across the country reimagine their relationships with the communities they serve.
Leadership plays a crucial role in navigating the complexities of the modern museum landscape. Laura’s insights on this topic are both practical and inspiring. She acknowledges that, for many years, museums have focused heavily on developing and delivering content, often without paying enough attention to the business side of things. But the pandemic has forced a reckoning. Museums now have to adopt an entrepreneurial mindset, balancing their roles as educational institutions with the realities of running a complex business.
This is particularly challenging for smaller institutions, many of which lack the financial and operational resources of larger museums. However, the field is starting to see a shift, with more leaders recognizing the need to strengthen their organizational infrastructures. Laura noted that the current moment represents a period of growth—a shedding of old ways of thinking in favor of new strategies that will ensure museums’ long-term sustainability.
One project that highlights this shift is the Museum Lab for Museum Professionals, a collaborative effort between the Association of Children’s Museums and the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh. This initiative aims to provide museum professionals with the training and tools they need to adapt to today’s challenges. By investing in professional development, museums are preparing their staff not just to survive in the current climate but to thrive.
Museums are at a turning point. They are evolving into dynamic, inclusive spaces that foster learning, creativity, and community engagement. But they need the support of their communities to continue this important work.
Whether you’re a regular museum-goer or someone who hasn’t visited a museum in years, now is the time to reconnect with your local museum. Not only do these institutions offer enriching experiences, but they also provide essential services to their communities, helping to bridge gaps in education, equity, and access.
So, the next time you’re looking for a place to explore, learn, or simply enjoy some time with family, consider visiting a museum. Support the programs that make museums more accessible, like Museums for All, and advocate for the continued funding and sustainability of these vital spaces.
To hear more about how museums are transforming communities and navigating today’s challenges, listen to the full podcast episode here.
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Empowering Young Minds, the Association of Children’s Museum Podcast is available on all major listening platforms, including: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music.
Boston Children’s Museum in partnership with BostonMoms.com recently surveyed parents about how their children are playing and their perceptions about the role of play in their children’s development. Results of the survey, conducted between March and July 2024, show that Massachusetts families highly value play and see it as essential for their children’s health. 89% of those completing the survey said play was essential to their child’s healthy development, and 88 % said it was essential to their child’s learning.
Parents also said their children have ample time to play, with only 12% indicating their child did not have enough time to play. However, a significant number, 38%, said they do not have enough time to play with their child, and 37% said their child did not have enough opportunities to play with other children.
Results showed children are engaging in varied kinds of play activities during a typical week, from pretend play (57%), outdoor play (91%), playing with other children who were not siblings (70%), playing with pets or animals (45%), playing alone (92%), playing with adults (87%), at home activities such as cooking and gardening (67%), and doing arts and crafts (65%).
Other key findings from the survey include:
• 97% agreed (72% strongly) that play is strongly linked to getting along and working with others.
• 70% agreed (30% strongly) that physical safety is a big concern when thinking about where and how their child plays.
• 80% agreed (36% strongly) that safety, in respect to negative or harmful messages that their children could experience, was a big concern.
• 96% agreed (57% strongly) that it is good for their child to take age-appropriate risks while playing.
• 76% agreed (39% strongly) that technology is taking away from traditional kinds of play.
“The survey is a useful data point in understanding how children are engaging in
play, and the attitudes of families about play. Play is alive and well and families understand its
importance, even as traditional forms of play are challenged by technology, and
the demands of full schedules.”
–Carole Charnow, President and CEO of Boston Children’s Museum
As noted in a 2018 article in the journal “Pediatrics” published by the American Academy of Pediatrics, “The definition of play is elusive. However, there is a growing consensus that it is an activity that is intrinsically motivated, entails active engagement, and results in joyful discovery. Play is voluntary and often has no extrinsic goals; it is fun and often spontaneous. Children are often seen actively engaged in and passionately engrossed in play; this builds executive functioning skills and contributes to school readiness (bored children will not learn well). Play often creates an imaginative private reality, contains elements of make believe, and is nonliteral. Play is fundamentally important for learning 21st century skills, such as problem solving, collaboration, and creativity, which require the executive functioning skills that are critical for adult success.”
701 people completed the anonymous online survey promoted and conducted by the Museum and BostonMoms.com between March and July 2024. 92% were from Massachusetts, with 51% from Greater Boston, and 24% from the City of Boston. The complete survey results can be found at https://bostonchildrensmuseum.org/playsurvey2024/
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About Boston Children’s Museum
Boston Children’s Museum engages children and families in joyful discovery experiences that instill an appreciation of our world, develop foundational skills, and spark a lifelong love of learning. More information about Boston Children’s Museum can be found at www.BostonChildrensMuseum.org Become a fan of the Museum on Facebook and follow us on Twitter
Hours and Admission
The Museum is open Wednesday–Sunday from 9:00am–4:00pm. Advance tickets/reservations are highly recommended, especially during weekends, holidays, and school vacation weeks. Adults, $22, children (1–15) and senior citizens, $22; children under 12 months and Museum members are always free.
About BostonMoms.com
BostonMoms.com is a mom-owned and operated digital media company that provides locally focused FREE resources for moms and families in Greater Boston [BostonMoms.com]. Passionate about motherhood and our communities, Boston Moms and its parent company, Wicked Good Mom Media, strive to connect area moms to stories, relevant resources, local businesses, can’t-miss happenings, and most of all — each other!
ACM is pleased to share that its members are leading the way in strengthening parent–child bonds and improved behavior of parents during incarceration. Recently Children’s Museum of Manhattan and Hands On Children’s Museum in Olympia were published in Curator: The Museum Journal.
ABSTRACT
A large and increasing number of children in the United States are systematically rendered invisible due to the effects of parental incarceration, forced to navigate a correctional system that does not often take their particular needs into account. This trauma can put children at risk of long-term developmental consequences that can be lasting across generations.
Two children’s museums, among others, are developing unique partnerships to mitigate this negative impact. The Children’s Museum of Manhattan has an ongoing partnership with the NYC Department of Correction to reunite incarcerated parents at Rikers Island with their children for an afternoon at the Museum. Hands On Children’s Museum in Olympia, Washington, is partnering with the Washington Department of Corrections to redesign the children’s area of visiting rooms in three correctional facilities.
Anecdotal evidence of strengthened parent–child bonds and improved behavior of parents during incarceration show that early indications of both efforts are positive.
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To read the full article, please visit the Wiley Online Library, here.
For more information about Hands On Children’s Museum, please visit https://www.hocm.org/
For more information about the Children’s Museum of Manhattan, please visit https://cmom.org/
We are proud to announce that Miami Children’s Museum has launched the Museum Playful Learning Collective, a groundbreaking national partnership of more than 10 museums aimed at examining the impact of formal museum preschool education on school readiness among children. This initiative, funded in part by a generous grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, seeks to answer critical questions about the advantages of museum-based preschool education, the alignment of curriculum with museum programs, and the best methods to measure kindergarten readiness.
The Museum Playful Learning Collective was officially launched at the North American Reggio Emilia Alliance’s summer conference during a panel titled “Unifying Museum Education: Leveraging Environments for Children’s Education.” This panel explored key questions such as integrating early learning programs with existing museum exhibits, unique opportunities provided by museum programs, and the collaboration between museum educators, classroom educators, and curators.
The collective aims to identify commonalities among these varied institutions and redefine early childhood education in museums, ensuring every child has the opportunity to embark on a transformative educational journey. Through interviews, surveys, observations, and child data, the project will articulate the benefits and impacts of museum schools on early learning, sharing these insights with the broader fields of early childhood education and museums.
“As the only museum-based K-5 school in the country, it was a natural fit for Miami Children’s Museum to take a leadership role in launching the Museum Playful Learning Collective and spearheading this vital research. This initiative represents an unprecedented collaboration among museum educators, enabling the sharing of best practices, curriculum support, and innovative educational strategies. This collaboration with children’s and science museums aims to integrate them into the formal world of learning and establish themselves as integral educational institutions. Notably, it will also provide a pathway for museums to cement their importance in early childhood education.”
–Deborah Spiegelman, CEO of Miami Children’s Museum
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For more information about the Museum Playful Learning Collective, please visit https://www.miamichildrensmuseum.org/museum-research.
Participating partners include The Creative Learning Center (Miami-based traditional preschool partner), Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center, Boston Children’s Museum, The Strong National Museum of Play, The Children’s Museum, Great Explorations, Thinkery, The Woodlands Children’s Museum, Fort Worth Science and History Museum, Explora, and Bay Area Discovery Museum.