Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert announces official reopening date after four-year closure
The Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert (CDMoD) announced the long-anticipated date of its reopening.
The museum has been closed since March 2020 due to the pandemic. During its closure, the CDMoD Board of Directors initiated a program to prioritize steps for the future of the organization which included a “Re-Imagination” of the museum’s offerings, a five-phase capital campaign and the hiring of CEO Cindy Burreson to lead the charge.
Through the combination of over two years of tireless fundraising efforts and a loan from First Bank, Phase One has achieved its $3 million budget to enable the reopening in March 2024.
“We are grateful to the generous donors who have provided the foundation for our Re-Imagination campaign,” states museum CEO, Cindy Burreson. “We are also grateful to our partners at First Bank who have provided a streamlined path to reopening our doors to the community.”
“Prior to the pandemic, 85% of funding for the museum was generated from admissions and events,” further explains Burreson. “Fundraising has been challenging because we are rebuilding our donor base. It was critical for both the financial health of the organization and the confidence of our donors and constituents that we reopen the museum. It is now equally critical that we continue our fundraising efforts to repay the loan and move into further phases of our Re-Imagination Campaign.”
In March, the public will be able to experience Phase One in The Main Gallery (Building One), which is being renewed to create a whimsical, creative, and exciting space for 0 to 8 year-olds. The space will include creative ways to “Imagine,” “Express,” “Move,” “Experiment,” “Explore” and “Dream.” Nearly 40 new exhibits are being created for the six themed program areas by Hands On! Studios, the same designers of the museum’s original exhibits.
In the long term, the five phases of the Re-Imagination Campaign will include a renovation of all three existing buildings, a building expansion, new construction, and an exterior plan. Ultimately, the goal is to expand experiences and programming to include all ages and family members.
To contribute to the fundraising efforts of the Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert’s Re-Imagination Campaign, go to: https://cdmod.org/get-involved/donate/
