A sneak peek of the new UWS location

CMOM
Conceptual rendering of the exhibition ©Darcstudio, courtesy of CMOM

A sneak peek at Manhattan’s new children’s museum

The Children’s Museum of Manhattan (CMOM)a family-friendly product in New York City, announced this week that it has launched the final phase of its $300 million campaign for its new home on the Upper West Side. Along with this week’s announcement, CMOM revealed what this beautiful new location would look like and when we can expect the doors to open.

Giving new life to a NYC landmark

CMOM wants to expand and reach more families in the city and plans to do so in a century-old church at 361 Central Park West. CMOM, originally known as The First Church of Christ, Scientist, acquired this historic and neglected space in 2018. The New York City church, considered a historic landmark, will be transformed into a brand new space. Once renovated, the 80,000-square-foot building will provide a spacious, picturesque retreat that will significantly increase CMOM’s visitor capacity.

UWS
The Children’s Museum of Manhattan (CMOM) launches the final phase of the $300 million campaign for its iconic new home on New York’s Upper West Side at 96th Street and Central Park West and revealed new details of the project, Tuesday, October 1 2024 (Diane Bondareff/AP Content Services for Manhattan Children’s Museum)

The original plan for this historic monument was to turn it into apartments. After the city rejected the plan, CMOM acquired the forgotten space and wants to preserve it special elements of the church and transforms it into an artistic center for all families.

Dava Schub, Chief Executive Officer and Museum Director of CMOM, said: “This historic building will be transformed into a dynamic seven-story magical castle in the park for all of our city’s children, as CMOM invests in helping every child thrive. Over the years, CMOM has provided research-based learning experiences to millions of children in our museum and to the children where they live and learn, working with city shelters, Head Start programs, settlement houses, hospitals, the Department of Correction and beyond. With our new home, we will be able to do even more to nurture the whole child through play, art making and discovery.”

Financing the historic move

The campaign for the newly renovated location has received substantial contributions from several supportive donors. Founding Board Chairman Laurie M. Tisch’s donation has been reached a total of $50 million, along with the City of New York’s allocation of $46.1 million from the Mayor’s Office, the City Council, and the Office of the Manhattan Borough President. In addition, the Bezos Family Foundation has shown support for the campaign by providing generous donations to CMOM totaling $30 million.

Children’s Museum of Manhattan (CMOM) Board Chairman Matthew Messinger; Dava Schub, CEO and director of CMOM; New York State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal; Laurie M. Tisch, CMOM Founding President; U.S. Rep. Jerrold Nadler; New York City Councilman Shaun Abreu and Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, from left to right, pose outside the future home of CMOM.

Laurie M. Tisch said: “I am pleased to announce that our 96 & WOW The campaign has exceeded all expectations, now raising $200 million toward our $300 million goal as enthusiasm for the new CMOM spreads. Mine personal The contributions, donated to cap decades of philanthropy dedicated to education, total $50 million, which I have given in the belief that this is the single most important project for New York’s future.

Representatives of the Children’s Museum of Manhattan (CMOM) and New York City elected and city officials pose outside the future home of CMOM

Tisch continues: ‘We know, from study after study, that the foundation for a lifelong love of learning and the social, emotional And cognitive development of a child is laid in the earliest years. In reality, 90% of a child’s brain development takes place before they turn five. Too many children in our city enter school without the foundational skills and experiences they need to thrive in the classroom. The new CMOM will work to provide parents and caregivers with tools to help children succeed in school and in life And in their communities.”

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A look at the new CMOM

The project involves architects FXCollaborative and exhibition designers THG, who will also do the same work together to bring to life a vision developed by CMOM in collaboration with its Council of National Early Learning Advisors.

CMOM
Conceptual schematic representation ©Darcstudio, courtesy of CMOM

The ground floor lobby will offer amenities such as a stroller check, a cafe with healthy options and a museum shop with unique toys, books and art activities for children of all ages. The museum’s second floor offers hands-on experiences and immersive technologies that allow children to explore the “Wide Wild World,” learn about science and develop inquiry-based skills.

The third floor of the museum’s main hall will be the focus the theme of “What am I going to create today?” and wants Offer children the opportunity to participate in various creative activities, such as painting, writing, cooking and designing. The centerpiece of the exhibition will be a multi-level creativity lab, offering STEAM experiences including painting, clay making, science experiments and coding. The space will also feature a practical cooking area, the Cocina Kitchen, a reading and writing laboratory and more.

The fourth floor will have floor-to-ceiling circular windows where children can sit, read and wonder. It will also offer an interactive water and sound experience that allows children to create and perform music using instruments from around the world. Adjacent galleries will provide flexible spaces for teacher-led programs in music and science.

CMOM
Conceptual rendering of the exhibition ©Darcstudio, courtesy of CMOM

CMOM’s new facility will also feature a permanent performance space and a theater where the museum will continue to collaborate with more than 50 New York arts institutions to bring some of the city’s best arts experiences to our families. The museum also offers daily enrichment classes in art, science, music and movement. Bee the top of the buildinga terrace families can enjoy beautiful views of New York City and Central Park.

The new CMOM is expectedTed To open 2028.

Thalia Fernandez