The Museum of Discovery is preparing for a landmark achievement in its 97-year evolution. For the first time since the museum moved to the River Market in 1998, all galleries will be completely new.
On Saturday, November 23, 2024, the museum will unveil two highly anticipated early childhood galleries: Small Fry Fish Camp and Curiosity Spot. These interactive spaces are tailored to the museum’s youngest guests and offer interactive learning that fosters curiosity and discovery. Both galleries were designed by Hands On! Studio of St. Petersburg, FL, and fabricated and installed by Ravenswood Studio of Lincolnwood, IL.
This momentous occasion represents a significant leap forward, marking the first time the museum has been fully updated with brand-new exhibits designed to inspire and engage visitors of all ages at the River Market location.
Small Fry Fish Camp, open to children aged 6 and younger and their families, will feature:
- Rainbow Trout Crawler: A large, interactive fish sculpture for climbing and exploring.
- Jump In!: A sensory-rich play area for infants and toddlers.
- Fish Shack: A creative play café where children can collaborate and use their imaginations to run a restaurant and serve pretend snacks to other guests.
Curiosity Spot, designed for ages 6 to 9 (but not age-restricted) will include:
- Kaleidoscope: A 15-foot immersive experience akin to being inside of a color-changing, visually striking toy kaleidoscope.
- Make a Face: An engaging self-portrait activity using digital and physical features.
- Make a Fiddle: A science-meets-art exhibit where guests can build fiddles and experiment with sound.
The museum will also introduce Sensory Cove, a new addition to our Discovery Cove Gallery. It is designed to support guests with Sensory Processing Disorders (SPD) or neurodivergent individuals. It will provide a calming environment for guests who need a break from the sensory stimulation of the exhibits in the main galleries. This dedicated space will include:
- Sensory-friendly features such as a reading nook with adjustable lighting.
- Sensory activity areas and a soothing bubble wall.
“Our guests bring life to the Museum of Discovery, with families of young learners contributing so much to our daily rhythm,” says J. Michael Nauman, Interim CEO. “Debuting these two galleries is an exciting milestone, as they’re specially crafted with these families in mind. Sensory Cove reinforces our commitment to inclusivity for all who walk through our doors.”
Reimagination Campaign Milestones
The opening of these galleries is the final stage of the museum’s broader, three-phase Reimagination Campaign, which followed the devastating, freezing weather-related flood in February 2021. The rebuilding process led to a transformation that began in November 2022 with the debut of the two-story, three-tower climber. In November 2023, the museum unveiled the Science Lab Gallery, followed by the opening of the Dynamic Earth Gallery in February 2024. Each of the museum’s new galleries has transformed it into a hub for innovative learning, inspiring the next generation of thinkers, creators, and problem-solvers. By empowering young minds in STEAM, the Museum of Discovery is investing in Arkansas’s future workforce, addressing a critical need for STEAM skills across the state.
“We are proud of our history of excellence, but the opening of these new galleries and Sensory Cove marks an exciting new chapter for the Museum of Discovery,” says Nauman. “These spaces are specifically designed to immerse early learners in STEAM education while supporting the self-led play that is so important for building young minds.”
Looking Ahead: Reimagination Continues
The museum’s Reimagination Campaign has made significant strides in revitalizing exhibits and introducing state-of-the-art, hands-on learning spaces that captivate visitors and spark curiosity. This initiative has brought exciting updates to the museum’s offerings, creating engaging environments where families and students can explore science in immersive, innovative ways. These enhancements would not have been possible without the strong foundation of community support that has driven the campaign’s success so far.
Building on this momentum, additional support will be essential to extending the museum’s impact. The ongoing Reimagination Campaign aims to bring more children to the museum to experience these new galleries, ensuring they have access to high-quality STEAM experiences. With further contributions, the museum can continue making science education more inclusive and accessible to young minds across Arkansas. This continued investment will help ensure that the museum remains a vibrant center for discovery, offering meaningful experiences for future generations across the entire community.
For more information about the gallery openings and Sensory Cove, please contact Chief Marketing Officer Becca Bona at bbona@museumofdiscovery.org. For more information about supporting the Reimagination Campaign, contact Chief Development Officer Melissa Stiles at mstiles@museumofdiscovery.org.