2015-2016 annual report

ANNUAL REPORT

FY 2015-2016

A concise report of activities from the Children’s Museum of Wilmington starting April 1, 2015 to March 31, 2016.

Imagination

Curiosity

Love of

Learning

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Contents

About the Children’s Museum of Wilmington __________________________________________________________ 1

Financial Summary _______________________________________________________________________________________ 2

Guest Services ____________________________________________________________________________________________ 3

Education, Programming and Outreach ________________________________________________________________ 4

Marketing and Public Relations _________________________________________________________________________ 5

Development ______________________________________________________________________________________________ 6

Museum Sponsors and Partners ________________________________________________________________________ 7

Awards and Accomplishments __________________________________________________________________________ 8

Staff, Volunteers and Interns ____________________________________________________________________________ 9

ANNUAL REPORT 2015-2016

Page 1

About the Children’s Museum of Wilmington

A LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR

Dear members of the community, Since its opening in 1997, the Children’s Museum of Wilmington has changed in significant ways and continues to enhance our community through its educational exhibits and programs. This annual report appreciates and acknowledges the efforts of staff, board members and friends of the Children’s Museum throughout the 2015-2016 fiscal year. It is with great joy that we

are able to compile a report consisting the Museum’s most innovative and progressive years in its history. As the Executive Director, I thank you for your support, which is vital to the growth and development of the Museum and the children of the community.

Sincerely,

Richard E. Lawson Executive Director OUR MISSION

"The Children's Museum of Wilmington stimulates

children's imagination, curiosity and love of

learning through interactive and age appropriate

science, math and art activities."

OUR VISION

The Children’s Museum of Wilmington celebrates the

joys of childhood by providing magical and playful

experiences to children of all ages. Our goal is for all of

our visitors to learn amazing things about themselves

and the world in which we live through interactive,

child-directed experiences. In our warm and inviting

environment, children and their caretakers find ample

opportunity to explore and better understand the arts,

sciences, culture and more through engaging exhibits

and programs.

CHILDREN’S MUSEUM BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Harriett Loweth, President Bill Paris, President Elect Lindsay Prickett, Past President Monty Recoulley, Treasurer Liz Carroll Rev. Wayne Johnson Sr. Jean Keller

Anne Tilghman Reiss Kim Shipley Rika Spencer Alexis Wall Helen Wells Anne Williams Megan Winslett Rob Zapple


Page 1

Financials

HIGHLIGHTS

We’ve increased income from our fundraisers by 41% increasing last year’s profit of $79,954 to $113,194. We’ve increased grant income by 114% increasing last year’s income from $78,633 to $168,908. We increased field trip sales by 16% increasing last year’s profit from $19,005 to $22,065.


Page 2

Guest Services Special Events

Mud Day: The messiest fun you can imagine!

Explore Magic Mud, a substance with the properties

of both a liquid and a solid. Make mud pies in our

outdoor kitchen, give yourself a mud mask, or just

play in the mud!

New Year’s Noon: No need to stay up late for

this family-friendly New Year’s celebration—we’re

ringing in the New Year at noon! Make glitzy slime,

fabulous party crowns, pretzel “sparklers,” and

streamer sticks and join the countdown at noon

with noisemakers and lots of confetti!

Egg Hunt: Hop over to the courtyard for an Egg

Hunt! Create art projects, play games and release butterflies to celebrate spring!

Family Farm Day: Get up close with some of our favorite barnyard animals! Meet a baby goat,

baby pigs, chicks, rabbits and other barnyard animals in the courtyard. Plant some herbs to

take home with you and make butter at our Science Center.

ACTIVE MEMBERSHIPS

2015-2016

Contributing: 3

ACM Reciprocal: 35

Anytime: 331

Weekday: 22

ATTENDANCE

2015-2016: ~65,000 visitors

FIELDTRIPS

2015-2016: 89

BIRTHDAY PARTIES

2015-2016: 116


Page 3

Education, Programming and Outreach

GRANT FUNDED PROGRAMS

Leading to Reading

The Museum provides pre-literacy education to under-served pre-kindergarten children.

Children are brought to the Museum to engage in enriching, hands-on pre-literacy activities.

New Hanover County Schools provide the Museum with grants, along with support from the

community, to sustain this program. From January to May.

Amount of children served: 540 Funded by: New Hanover County Schools

STEM All-Stars

The Institute of Museum and Library Services provided the Museum with a grant to create a

science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) “All-stars” program for twenty-three Title 1

third grade students. These students visited the museum twice a month for STEM experiments

that aligned with NC Science curriculum as well as including teacher and parent lessons

for further expansion. 10 students from UNCW and Cape Fear Community College assisted in

teaching with this program. This is a 2 year program running from January 2016 to May 2017.

Amount of children served: 23 Funded by: The Institute of Museum and Library Services

Bright Minds

Duke Energy provided a one year grant to the Children’s Museum to host a scientific

exploration program, which teaches STEM-related subjects through experimentation to

underserved first grade children. These children participated in multiple experiments all

aligning with the NC Science Curriculum. Bright Minds was both an in-house and out of house

program involving 6 New Hanover elementary schools. The program ran from October 2015 to

May 2016.

Amount of Children Served: 616 Funded by: Duke Energy


Page 4

DAILY PROGRAMS

Adventures in the Arts: Children express their creativity through various forms of art. Child Yoga: Children learn to perform animal poses, improve flexibility and coordination, and learn relaxation techniques that will help navigate life’s challenges with a bit more ease. Aquatic Adventures: Children dive into marine science to learn about the physics, chemistry and biology of our world’s oceans. Jump! Move! Learn!: Children learn how to keep their bodies healthy and happy by learning new exercises and games while learning all about the human body. S.T.E.M. Explorations: Our exciting STEM program explores science, technology, engineering and mathematics by applying them in a fun, hands-on activities. Children learn about the scientific processes while measuring and recording, and developing critical thinking skills in the process. Kids Cooking Club: Explore seasonal recipes and savor the flavor of your hard work. StoryCOOKS: Cooking club for our preschoolers. Each week we’ll read a new story and create a dish inspired by the book. Toddler Time: Help your little one express their creativity and practice using gross and fine motor skills. Preschool Story Time: preschoolers are introduced to simple stories and songs to encourage pre-literacy education. Nature Navigators: Children learn about the wonders of the natural world through interactive experiments and activities.

Ahoy Wilmington!

Art Studio

Forest Friends Toddler

Treehouse

Grocery Store

Imagination Playground

International Diner

Leading to Reading Literacy

Exhibit

Lego Exhibit

Port of Call

Teddy Bear Hospital

Dive Shop

Sea and Me Room

Tooth-A-Saurus Dental

Exhibit

Art Studio

Magnetic Minds Science

Center:

NASA Center

5 simple Machines

Audio Lab

Mixology Science Counter

Meteorology Exhibit

INTERACTIVE EXHIBITS


Page 5

SUMMER CAMPS

French Camp: Teaching the basic principles of French including numbers, letters and objects. Designed to be a repetitive program with multiple levels. Galaxy Academy: Campers will learn about different characters, construct their own light saber, and explore the legendary Star Wars series through arts, crafts, science, and more! Girls in STEM: Our science camp encourages girls to explore the world around them using hands-on activities and experiments. They will learn the basics of biology, chemistry, and physics in a fun and educational environment. Kids in the Kitchen: This camp will be focused on teaching your child to eat healthy and happy. We will learn all about nutrition, diet, and exercise. Each day we will create a dish to add to our very own recipe books which we will take home at the end of the week Mini Masterpieces: This camp will focus on the importance of letting your creative side show! We will learn about various artists, create our own sculptures, and even put on an art show.

OUTREACHES

Bright Minds JDRF Cape Fear Buddy Walk Cucalorus Film Festival Pink Bow Tie STEM Night NC Aquarium Santa By the Sea Spring Event Purple Carpet Mardi Gras Event Memories of A Child Orange Theory Cow-A-ween Art In The Arboretum Career Day in Pender County

WORKSHOPS

The Triple P – Positive Parenting Program ® is a parenting and family support system designed to prevent – as well as treat – behavioral and emotional problems in children and teenagers. This is a grant funded program that reached over 50 families in the spring. This program is partnered and presented by Smart Start of New Hanover County.


Page 6

Marketing and Public Relations

Goal: “Increase awareness, admissions and event attendance. Creating, developing and expanding

our community relationships and partnership.”

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Internship outreach efforts led to gaining 7 UNCW students to our internship

program. All 7 UNCW students successfully completed the internship program.

4th Annual Pizza Putt Fundraiser – saw a significant increase in attendance, funds

raised (2015 raised ~ $2,000, 2016 ~ $12,000) and sponsor involvement. Pizza

Putt marketing generated a notable increase in reach and referrals. Also led to

sponsor retention for upcoming fundraisers.

Created a relationship with local networking group, Port City Young Professionals

(PCYP). PCYP featured the Museum as their “non-profit of the month”. Pizza Putt

made it as the PCYP “Spotlight Event of the Month” allowing the Museum to speak

to 100+ people about the fundraiser at their monthly networking event.

Marketing exposure led to gaining a new exhibit and exhibit sponsor, SnapSnap

Portraits. Exposure also led to several new partnerships and potential sponsors.

Marketing & Press Proposal – Obtained a monthly radio spot on a local radio

station, Jammin 99.9, as well as creating an ongoing working relationship with 2

radio additional stations, 2 news stations and several online media outlets.

Obtained a Museum 8 x 10 “Step and Repeat” at no cost through a sponsorship.

Created and obtained a new exhibit, the Venus Flytrap Exhibit at no cost through

new sponsors and partners.

IN THE WORKS

Marketing exposure led to a relationship with Lowes Foods. Currently working

with Lowes Foods on a potential Grocery Store Exhibit sponsorship!

Marketing upcoming fall and winter fundraisers, events and programs.

Evaluating the difference in our ROI between print and digital marketing and

advertising. Hoping to lower cost by moving towards digital marketing.

Developing a new website for the Museum. Working with a local developer while

also keeping cost below $500 for an entire new website.


Page 7

Development

The Children’s Museum of Wilmington depends upon

donations and raised income to continue its mission. The

Museum is a non-profit, 501c3 organization funded exclusively

by the community, individuals and sponsorships.

The Children’s Museum of Wilmington was incredibly excited

and honored to receive a $40,000 grant from Duke Energy to

create a pilot program, giving 616 first grade students hands-

on STEM experiments.

Fundraiser Amount Raised

Fore the Children Golf Tournament $25,000

YachtVenture $29,522

PizzaPutt $12,000

Grants Received: $10,000+ Amount Awarded

Duke Energy $40,000

City of Wilmington $10,000

New Hanover County $10,000

Live Oak Bank $10,000

Pizza Putt:

The Children’s Museum

hosted its 3rd annual Pizza

Putt fundraiser! This

fundraiser brought together

hundreds of current patrons,

donors, new visitors and

businesses.

This year’s Pizza Putt was

extremely successful,

increase funds raised by 6

times!

YachtVenture: The Children’s Museum hosted its 5th annual YachtVenture fundraiser. This elegant event brings in around 300-400 people annually.

Bringing in a net income of $29,522, funds raised from this event assisted the Museum’s effort to enhance early literacy skills and STEM education.

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Page 8

Museum Sponsors and Partners

Exhibit sponsors: Teddy Bear Hospital, Wilmington Health Tooth-A-Saurus, Dimock and Weinberg, D.D.S., P.A. Port of Call, North Carolina State Ports Authority Magnetic Minds Science Research Center, PPD Six Simple Machines, Duke Energy Forest Friends Toddler Treehouse, Landfall Foundation Lego Train, Landfall Foundation Courtyard, Cape Fear Garden Club Schools served: Gregory Elementary Forest Hills Elementary Snipes Elementary College Road Early Childhood Center Winter Park Elementary Rachel Freeman Elementary Castle Hayne Elementary Wrightsboro Elementary Johnson Pre-K Center Mary Washington Howe Pre-K Center

Event sponsors ($1,000+):

Bill Paris Photography MarineMax Carolina Fireplace Wilmington Gastroenterology Associates Filmwerks International Inc. Jim & Fran Summerlin Rexroad Loweth Wealth Management PPD The Forks at Barclay Coastal Beverage Company Wells Marine Insurance Rocky Campagna Sawmill Catering Company Intracoastal Designs Inc. Rippy Cadillac David & Nickie Ray Coastal Carolina Neonatology, PLLC Clancy & Theys Construction Company North State Bank Jack Jones Marshall & Winslett Dental Excellence Tom & Mary Brown Irongate Partners Cape Fear Commercial UBS Financial Services Port City Java Springer Eubank Company James E. Moore Insurance Agency, Inc. BRAX Fundraising Young at Heart


Page 9

Awards and Accomplishments

CMoW educator Mary Ellen Laughnan, was honored as Smart Start New Hanover County’s

“2016 Children’s Champion” for her

exceptional work in children’s education.

CMoW was named “Family Favorite” by

Wilmington Parent magazine; were recognized as

Wilmington’s “Best family Museum” by Wilmington Parent magazine’s Reader’s Choice

Awards; and received Encore Best Readers “Best

Museum” award.

CMoW was honored at a

Port City Young Professionals event as “Non-profit of the Month.”

CMoW received a certificate of

appreciation from New Hanover

County Schools for our work with

individuals with disabilities.

CMoW received the Promising Practice Awards

Reimagined award from the MetLife Foundation and

Association of Children’s Museums entitled for our Urban

Arboretum outdoor exhibit idea.

The museum received Gregory Elementary’s "Certificate of Appreciation" for all our

time and support while participating in our STEAM program.


Page 10

Staff, Volunteers and Interns

FULL-TIME STAFF

ALLISON BRILHANTE

Director’s Assistant

BRIANNE WRIGHT

Grant Coordinator

JESSICA DAVIS

Educator

Tel 910-254-3534 ext. 107

[email protected]

Tel 910-254-3534 ext. 100

[email protected]

Tel 910-254-3534 ext. 101

[email protected]

KATHLEEN KING Director of Operations &

Guest Services

KELLIE FURR Marketing Director

SLOANE PHILIPP

Educator

Tel 910-254-3534 ext. 102

[email protected]

Tel 910-254-3534 ext. 105

[email protected]

Tel 910-254-3534 ext. 101

[email protected]

PART-TIME STAFF: 26 INTERNS: 6 VOLUNTEERS: 150

MUSEUM INFORMATION

The Children’s Museum of Wilmington

116 Orange Street, Wilmington, NC, 28401

Tel 910-254-3534/ Fax 910-254-3565

www.playwilmington.org

2015-2016 annual report

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