10.03 Region 5 Children's Museum Site Selection Request for Proposal

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Covering a large geographic area, Region 5 holds diverse and varied landscapes, areas of wealth and poverly, urban and rural lifestyles, and a range of historical legacies. While these elements don't reveal a clear regional identity, there is evidence of certain social habits and values shared by many in the region, including: a love of the outdoors, being involved in civic life, cherished family traditions, and shared stories around events and locations.An understanding of these factors has guided Region 5 Children's Museum in envisioning a dynamic community asset for the region's children and families. 3. Response Region 5 Children's Museum believes it can contribute to the vitality of the region by shining a bright light on children,their potential, and their role in strengthening community life. The Museum's strategic master plan positions the museum to take an active role around valuing children, childhood, and play. It describes a place-based, informal learning setting that engages children with a particular focus on youth who are twelve years old and younger,their parents, caregivers, and teachers in making connections between ideas and actions, and across systems. A clear focus on children and families exploring and learning together, its understanding of the value of play, and its attention to 21 st century skills come together in dynamic environments, experiences, and programs that are richly layered, locally relevant, and open to the wider world.These hands-on, informal learning environments complement and support school priorities and are a resource for field trip visits and professional development for teachers across the region. As a year-round family destination,the museum will be a highly valued resource for local families and for schools in the winter as well as for visiting families in the summer. Long term, the museum will be an asset as the region strives to attract young families to the area. With time, the museum can expect to be an anchor in the lives of children and families, deepen regional pride, and strengthen connections across the region. Places To Go is the overarching theme for six indoor and outdoor exhibit areas. It invites children and adults to explore places in the museum, in the region, and in the world; and to see the next challenge and get to it. • At the Lake focuses on what is fascinating about the area lakes: fishing, catching the big one, sitting on the dock, and exploring water's ways. • From the Garden is the museum's food hub; food-growing activities connect with eating, cooking, and occasional community gatherings around food and nutrition. • Into the Woods straddles inside and out and invites exploration of several woodland-themed areas nestled together, from forest to pastures and farm fields. • On the Road provides the set-up for imaginative travels, where children find familiar place names and landmarks while discovering clues about faraway places. • Open for Possibilities is a changing space for changing exhibits or community projects. • In the Great Outdoors is the place for big messy activities that can't happen indoors;for a year-round greenhouse, seasonal gardening, and living ecosystems. Region 5 Children's Museum is on track to join a small but growing number of children's museums in smaller cities, serving rural areas, and spread across large geographic areas. 4. vsion. Mission. and Organizational Goals vsion: Region 5 Children's Museum and its partners envision a more vibrant and connected region because all children enjoy the supportive relationships, expanding opportunities, and wellbeing they need to thrive. 3 of 7