Children's Museum Tucson

Purpose: Serving as Centers of Community Engagement This project will provide resources to improve the annual fall/winter series of multicultural programs the Tucson children's Museum holds in collaboration with community organizations. The series, which began with a pilot project in 2000, includes the children's Social Powwow; the Dia de los Muertos Festival, in celebration of the traditional Mexican holiday; and the Festivals of Light, which include seven different events celebrating winter holidays according to various cultural traditions. The grant will enable the museum to carry out the objectives of developing curriculum, expanding outreach in the schools and community, improving public relations and marketing, increasing both the target and general audiences, and raising the profile of the programs to attract additional participation and support in the future. Twenty-five percent of the amount will be used to underwrite free admission days that will guarantee access to the museum and to these programs for low-income children and families. This grant will advance the museum's capacity to serve as a center of community engagement by allowing it to strengthen partnerships and programs, thus improving its ability to reach and serve its rapidly growing and changing audience.