By Adrienne Boudreau:
The Explore & More Children’s Museum has been award the highly coveted Community Foundation of Greater Buffalo’s 21st Century Fund grant, totaling $100,000. The award was presented to the museum this past Thursday evening at the Larkin Building.
The 21st Century Fund offers foundation members the opportunity to vote on one major, high-impact cause for Western New York through democratic discussion and voting.
Explore & More Children’s Museum received more votes than the Boys & Girls Club “Start Here Renovation Project”, a Habitat for Humanity “Veterans Housing Program” and the YWCA of Niagara Country “Culinary Training Center” – you can see all of the finalists’ project summaries by clicking here. Or download this PDF to see all projects submitted for consideration.
Explore & More plans on using the funds to hire local and national experts for exhibit design, while using additional funds for the museum’s operating budget (staff time and research).
According to Explore & More, the City of Buffalo is the last city its size without a children’s museum.
The museum will be relocating to Buffalo’s waterfront from East Aurora and super sizing in the process. Explore & More is projected to attract 180,000 visitors a year from Erie, Niagara and the surrounding region. The intention is to allow children to explore and learn through interactive exhibits and programming.
The museum’s projected annual budget is $2.1 million, with nearly 70% of that earned through admissions, facility rentals and other sales. The museum is scheduled to open at Canalside in 2016.
Explore & More Children’s Museum
Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo