After closing its doors during the pandemic in 2020, the Detroit Children’s Museum is preparing to welcome visitors once again later this year. The reopening marks a significant milestone for educational programming in the city, bringing hands-on learning experiences back to Detroit’s youngest residents.
Staying Connected During Closure
While the museum remained closed to the public, it continued supporting local education by lending artifacts and resources to the Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD). The museum’s foundation recently received $800,000 in state funding to help launch the reopening initiative.
Students Lead the Way
The museum will first open exclusively to DPSCD students in October during a preliminary launch phase. Foundation President and CEO Carrie Mitchell Campbell Mabens explained that this student-first approach is intentional.
“We’re really looking for their feedback to help shape future exhibits and programming, and ensuring the museum reflects their voices and needs,” Mabens said. “And so that’s why it’s critical for us to kind of open doors to DPSCD students first. And then lastly, you know, get the community involved.”
This strategy ensures the museum’s programming is directly informed by the students it serves, creating a more responsive and relevant educational environment.
What to Expect
Designed specifically for K-8 students, the Detroit Children’s Museum will feature rotating exhibits, science and art stations, and curated artifacts. The focus on interactive, age-appropriate programming aims to inspire curiosity and foster a love of learning in Detroit’s young people.
Following the initial launch with DPSCD students, the museum will open to the broader community, making these educational resources available to all families in the Detroit area. The reopening represents not just the return of a beloved institution, but a renewed commitment to investing in the education and enrichment of Detroit’s children.
Based on reporting by Brianna Tinsley, WDET News
