Grand Forks Children’s Museum Closer to Reality – Grand Forks Herald

GRAND FORKS – The goal of creating a Grand Forks Children’s Museum and Nature Park is gradually changing from an idea to an achievable dream, leaders say.

About 62 percent of the museum’s $45 million capital campaign goal has been raised, said Katie Mayer, executive director of the Grand Forks Children’s Museum. Those funds will go toward the building, exhibits and operations.

“Things are really picking up right now,” said Mayer, who joined the staff in July after serving as principal at Holy Family-St. Mary’s School. “We’re very excited.”

She added that so far, approximately $12.8 million in private funds and $15 million in public funds have been raised for the project.

City officials say the museum will improve the quality of life for area residents by providing entertainment for families, and will support imagination and lifelong learning.

The museum’s goal, which focuses on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) education, is to create “an environment where kids can explore their interests,” Mayer said. The concept of learning through play is woven into the museum’s design, as educators have found that hands-on activities facilitate learning.

Grand Forks-based EAPC Architects Engineers and Minneapolis-based MSR Design are designing and planning the building and its exterior, which will include a plaza and educational gardens.

The two-story structure will cover 28,000 square feet, Mayer said, including 12,000 square feet of exhibition space.

The multi-purpose rooms will be used for activities such as art and robotics, culinary classes, birthday parties, business meetings and weddings. The spaces are also designated for offices, storage, restrooms and other purposes.

Different areas will focus on themes such as “growth,” “earth,” “sky” and “habitat,” Mayer said. In each area, interactive activities will enhance the learning related to that theme. For example, to illustrate agricultural concepts, crops will be grown on-site, and a farm-to-table exhibit could include a small market.

The museum is planned to be built in South Washington, near Choice Health and Fitness, on land donated by Altru Health System, but another location south of the Alerus Center on 42nd Street is also being considered.

The hope is that groundwork can be done by spring, but if the 42nd Street site is ultimately chosen, “it could cause a delay in deciding what impact that would have on planning,” Mayer said, and could delay construction to allow for a redesign “with the long-term sustainability of the museum in mind.”

Mayer said that once construction begins, it is expected to take about two years.

Mayer said potential donors, including businesses and corporations headquartered here and individuals with ties to the community, have been or will be contacted about the project.

“We’re working on seven- and eight-figure donations,” she said. During visits with potential donors, the museum’s “story” is shared and how their gift “can make this possible.”

“People are excited about (the museum),” she said. “They want to bring this project to Grand Forks.”

Donors can choose to leave a lasting mark on the community as they are offered naming opportunities – inside and out – ranging from $50,000 to $10 million.

With the large donations, the museum “will be able to make an impact on the community sooner rather than later,” Mayer said.

Fundraising efforts also include a “Star Seekers Charity Dinner” scheduled for Sept. 9 at the Cloud 9 Events Center at The Olive Ann Hotel downtown. The event will begin at 5:30 p.m., with an update from the Grand Forks Children’s Museum at 6:15 p.m. Dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. Registration ends Monday, Sept. 2. Tickets are $150 per person. A portion of each ticket is tax deductible. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.GrandForksChildrensMuseum.com/events.

The second annual Oxford Golf Fundraiser is also scheduled for Sept. 12 at King’s Walk Golf Course. All spots for the event have been booked, Mayer said.

A small committee of grant applicants is tasked with researching and preparing grant applications for submission to organizations and foundations.

For more information about fundraising or to make a donation, visit www.grandforkschildrensmuseum.com/support or contact Maura Tanabe, fundraising chair, at [email protected] or (701) 317-2324.

“The power of community” is a theme that emerges as leaders, volunteers and other interested individuals, businesses and organizations take on the challenge of making this dream a reality, Mayer said.

The next public event, “Full STEAM Ahead,” will be held October 1-8 at the Grand Forks Curling Club, where community members – especially children – will be able to participate in interactive, educational activities that will take place at the museum once construction is complete.

The overall goal is to not only engage children and families, Mayer said, but also volunteers to help make the project happen. Anyone with experience and knowledge in these areas or an interest in the project is invited to get involved.

“Volunteers are always needed,” Mayer said. “We welcome people from the community who want to join the committee, volunteer and help with the planning process.”

For more information, email [email protected], call (701) 864-8640, or visit the Grand Forks Children’s Museum office at 515 DeMers Ave.