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Santa Cruz Children’s Museum of Discovery reports visitor numbers, accessibility programs funded in part by Capitola grant
Summary
The museum, represented by Executive Director Rhiannon Crane, told the council it serves about 50,000 visitors annually, operates free/reduced programs used by 15,000 people and used city grant funds to create accessible, low-sensory space and disability-focused programming.
Rhiannon Crane, executive director of the Santa Cruz Children’s Museum of Discovery, updated the Capitola City Council on May 8 about the organization’s use of the city’s Capital City community grant and recent programming.
Crane said the museum, located in the Capitola Mall, serves about 50,000 visitors a year and has roughly 1,200 household members; about 15,000 of annual visitors use free or reduced-access programs. She described new museum features funded in part with the city grant, including a quiet, low-sensory room designed to help children who are sensitive to crowds and noise, and expanded programs for children and adults with developmental disabilities in partnership with local organizations.
Why it matters: The museum’s programs are both an educational resource and a community-access program; staff said city funding helped the museum expand accessibility and outreach. Crane highlighted hands-on science education, field trips, a traveling exhibit hosted in August and partnerships with Cabrillo College nursing students for programs such as a "teddy bear clinic" that helps children rehearse medical visits.
Council response: Councilmembers thanked Crane and the museum staff for the programming. No formal council action was requested during the presentation; Crane said the museum has received Capitola’s community grant for approximately three years.
