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The London Children’s Museum curates powerful play experiences through immersive environments, authentic materials, and meaningful relationships. As a champion for children, we advocate for their unique perspectives, contributions, and ways of learning.

This application is for “The New London Children’s Museum”. The London Children’s Museum is currently building a new home at 100 Kellogg Lane, which will allow the organization to adapt and grow its offering as a tourism destination. Set to open its doors in October of 2024 (with a grand opening in January 2025), the Museum will occupy 36,274 square feet on the fourth floor of London's historic Kellogg’s factory. The new Museum will feature eight entirely new, purpose-built exhibits, double the exhibit square footage, advanced technology and novel materials, increased accessibility and inclusion, and greater visibility of its artifact collection. New guest amenities also include quiet rooms, feeding areas, accessible and universal washrooms, proximity to bus routes, and space to host travelling exhibits. The new location, which is part of an overall entertainment and cultural destination, will support increased tourism by attracting a core audience of young families to the region.

Exhibit descriptions and experiences:

(1) "Branching Out": a treehouse village in a forest full of light and wildlife hideaways encourages visitors to climb, crawl, balance, and explore. Through multi-level treehouses and canopies, children discover big-body movement, natural exploration, and artifact surprises;

(2) "Community Roots": this child-sized town allows visitors to take on roles of vital community members. Familiar community spaces such as a Neighbourhood Market, Restaurant, Rescue Headquarters, School, and Home present opportunities for imaginative and collaborative play;

(3) "Discovery Lab": an interdisciplinary space designed for visitors to take part in STEAM-based creativity through tinkering, making, crafting, designing, experimenting, and hacking. Visitors engage in self-directed making, collaborative projects, and staff-facilitated workshops;

(4) "Farm Works": a farm and factory tell the story of the region’s manufacturing, industrial, and agricultural history, helping visitors make connections about how food is produced, processed, and sold;

(5) "STREAM": taking inspiration from the Thames River (Antler River), STREAM is an exploration of water physics and life on the water. The river emerges from a rock bed high overhead, making its way down a waterfall, and over an aqueduct to fill a 21-meter-long water table;

(6) "Above & Beyond": from earth to outer space and back again, children let their curiosity soar to the outer reaches of the universe in this exhibit. Visitors investigate the principles of astronomy, become astronauts, and blast off to the International Space Station. A digital planetarium invites children to explore the galaxy, fostering curiosity about stars, planets, and constellations;

(7) "Unearthed"': visitors explore the world of dinosaurs by uncovering bones, rocks, and minerals before taking objects into the field lab for further research and investigation; and

(8) "The Annex": a flexible, fresh, open space, The Annex functions as an event venue and home for temporary exhibits. The Annex acts as a community gathering spot where the culture, arts, and heritage of London and the surrounding area can be celebrated.

The LCM will offer a wide range of ancillary activities including enhanced programs, collection spotlights, day camps, 'Early Years Programs", field trips and education programs, special events (Valentine’s Party, BOO-seum Halloween event, Morning with Santa, New Year’s Eve, Lunar New Year). theme days, sensory friendly evenings, youth council events, and a discovery lab

Programming Partnerships include the City of London, London’s Child and Youth Network, local Family Centres and shelters, Children’s Aid Society, EarlyON, Autism Ontario, Nshwaasnangong Family Centre (an Indigenous-led organization), Indigenous communities, London Cross Cultural Learner Centre, Boys and Girls Club of London, Merrymount Children’s Centre, Childreach, Youth Opportunities Unlimited, Western University, Fanshawe College, London Heritage Council, London Arts Council, Association of Children’s Museums, Ontario and Canadian Museum Associations, Canadian Association of Science Centres, and Attractions Ontario.