Mission & History
Explorations V Children’s Museum is a community owned 501c3 nonprofit organization.
MISSION
Curating the world for all children to explore.
Seven Guiding Principles
As part of the 5-year strategic plan adopted by the Board of Directors in 2020, Florida Children’s Museum is guided by seven principles:
- We educate through exploration.
- We welcome all children.
- Our people are our secret sauce.
- We are here to stay.
- We serve our community.
- Our children are safe and secure.
- We serve the whole family.
History
In 1990, Krista Yurchak placed an ad in the Lakeland Ledger inviting people to meet at the Library who were interested in starting a children’s museum. About 20 families showed up and by 1991 they had incorporated as a 501(c)3 nonprofit and opened their first storefront on Kentucky Ave in downtown Lakeland. In 1998 the SWANSATION campaign that brought the dozens of beautiful swan statues to the City raised the funds necessary to purchase the Historic Kress building from the City of Lakeland and begin renovations for a new facility. A capital campaign ensued and the new Museum debuted in 2000. The Museum partners with schools, colleges, arts & cultural organizations, foundations, government, civic groups, individuals and corporations like Disney, Publix, United Way, Born Learning, Success by 6 and many others to provide engaging programs.
Museum admissions average more than 40,000 annually, with nearly 20,000 education program attendees and 40,000 outreach attendees for an average total impact of 100,000.
Explorations V Children’s Museum Awards & Accolades
Museum Awards
- 2010 Golden Swan Award! Downtown Lakeland Partnership
- 2010 Blue Star Museum, National Endowment for the Arts
- 2009 Disney Shine On Award; “Helping Kids Shine” & “Ears to You” Awards in previous years
- 2009 “Mega Mike” featured “green” exhibit in Exhibitionist Journal published by National Assn for Museum Exhibition
- 2008-2010 Nickelodeon’s Parent’s Picks Award Nominee
- 2008 “Wacky Wednesday”, weekly cup cooking programs featured in Association of Children’s Museum’s (ACM) Good to Grow “Healthy Museums, Healthy Kids” book
- 2006 Lakeland “Year of the Museum” Proclamation
- 2003 Association of Children’s Museums (ACM) Met Life Promising Practice Award Honorable Mention
- 2002 United Arts of Central Florida Arts+ Award for Children’s Programs
- 2000 Library of Congress Local Legacy, Rep. Charles T. Canady (12th District)
- 2021 Nonprofit of the Year, Lakeland Chamber of Commerce
The current Museum, housed in the historic Kress Building, is 6 times the size of the former Museum.
Explorations V Children’s Museum is an independent, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Programs sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture.