UP, UP, and AWAY! – November 2024

A logo on a white background that reads: "Unlock Potential, Inspiring Young Minds, a capital campaign for the Children's Museum of Sonoma County"

Campaign Progress

CMOSC gratefully announces a generous $150,000 grant from the Delong-Sweet Family Foundation and $100,000 from the William Bingham Foundation in support of the UP! expansion, as well as a $25,000 gift from an anonymous donor that pushed our total over the $5.6m mark!

We just have $1.4m to go until we meet our matching gift challenge – every two dollars raised up to $7m unlocks an additional dollar of funding for the expansion. If you haven’t yet, consider making your gift and helping meet that challenge now.

Project Progress

Work on the exhibit master plan continues and is expected to be finalized in early November (with a full list of naming opportunities available at that time). Check out the images below to see the updated first and second-floor plans, along with some early renderings of the exhibits.

Future Parking Lot Expansion

Northern California Engineers Contracting Association, local contractors, and CMOSC founder and CEO, Collette Michaud at a gathering and celebration for the future parking lot expansion project at the Children's Museum of Sonoma County.

Thanks to support from the Northern California Engineers Contracting Association and 12 incredibly generous local contractors and hauling companies, preparation work for our future parking lot expansion (from 72 paved spaces to approximately 150 paved spaces) was completed in September. Over 2,200 cubic yards of soil was removed and the area was graded and graveled.

Exhibit Sneak Peek: Viva Arts!

The July update highlighted the immersive Delta’s Ocean Voyage exhibit on the first floor of the expansion. Moving upstairs to the second floor of the new wing, we’re delighted to share early details for our new Viva Arts! exhibit!

A 3D rendering of the new Arts Annex at Children's Museum of Sonoma County following the proposed expansion project and UP! capital campaign.
2d Floor: Arts Annex

Welcome to Viva Arts!, where artistic exploration is welcomed in various ways. At the heart of this dynamic space, unique opportunities offer artistic exploration and hands-on learning. Viva Arts! will also feature skilled guest instructors and various pop-up programs to help budding artists unleash their creative potential.  

In the Clay Studio, young artists will use various tools and materials and experiment with different techniques and styles to create works of art. In the nearby Textiles Corner, children will have the opportunity to learn traditional weaving techniques and sewing with real machines, while exploring texture, pattern, and color

Formerly a pop-up program, Creation Station will engage children in a variety of craft projects with an ever-changing array of materials. Experimentation and self-expression are paramount, making Creation Station a perfect space for both guided activities and free-form creativity and a haven for older children to practice STEM-based skills. 

The Artistic Treasures Display will proudly showcase the imaginative works of young visitors, offering a rotating exhibition of their unique creations that highlights the boundless creativity of CMOSC’s community.

Delta’s Ocean Voyage and Viva Arts! are just two of nine exciting new areas in the expansion. Planning is also underway on an expanded and reimagined Space Odyssey and two-story Indoor Climber – we can’t wait to share more of those details with you soon.

If you know of who might be interested in learning more and going UP, UP, and Away with us, please let us know!

Explore More UP! Campaign Updates

Happenings

Upcoming Events

Newsletter Signup