ACTON, Massachusetts—The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) today announced the Discovery Museum in Acton, MA, as one of 10 recipients of the 2024 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the nation's highest honor awarded to museums. and libraries that make significant and exceptional contributions to their communities. For the past 30 years, the award has honored institutions that make a difference for individuals, families and communities.
“IMLS is pleased to announce the 10 recipients of the 2024 National Medal for Museum and Library Service,” said IMLS Acting Director Cyndee Landrum. “These institutions and their dedicated staff are stepping up to anticipate and meet the needs of their individual communities. From New York to Arizona, these 10 grantees are unparalleled sources of education, health, jobs and cultural resources, closing gaps in distance, resources and experience for community members. We look forward to honoring their accomplishments in Washington, DC, this summer!
The Discovery Museum's mission is to “awaken the joy of learning by igniting curiosity and creativity in children and adults as they discover together the pleasures of science, nature and play.” Throughout its 42-year history, the Museum has used a hands-on, low-tech approach to providing meaningful, playful, STEM-based learning experiences for children, families, and students. A strong focus on removing economic, physical, developmental and other barriers to participation provides a series of access programs that result in 25% of the Museum's annual audience being served free or nearly free.
The Discovery Museum's fully accessible Discovery Woods natural playground and treehouse serve as a focal point for nature-based outdoor environmental experiences, encouraging children and families to reap the benefits of spending time in nature. The entire Museum campus is accessible, with facilities, grounds and exhibits reimagined and remodeled to be inclusive in every way. For school students, the Discovery Museum's hands-on, material-rich and engaging STEM workshops in school classrooms served more than 53,000 students in 116 cities in 2023, the largest STEM-focused museum outreach program in Massachusetts. Discovery Museum is the first children's museum in the country to produce all of its own electricity on-site and is unique in its role as one of the state's largest nonprofit community solar providers, with four nonprofits and 11 low-income households operating on discounted clean energy thanks to the Museum's production.
Selected from 30 national finalists, the 10 recipients of the 2024 National Medal for Museum and Library Service represent institutions that provide dynamic programming and services that exceed expected service levels. Through their community outreach, these institutions create change that impacts people's lives and helps communities thrive.
“We are deeply honored and proud to be recognized with a 2024 IMLS National Medal for our work, and very grateful to the broad community of visitors, supporters, donors and community partners who make that work possible,” said CEO Marie Beam. “For our board and staff, this national recognition reinforces the value of our work to support children and families and will serve as a platform from which to significantly expand our reach and depth of impact. Along with our operational and educational priorities around environmental sustainability, we will work to find more ways to make our science, nature and playful learning experiences accessible to all children, families and students, despite barriers such as cost, developmental differences and sensory sensitivities. , physical abilities, parental incarceration, refugee status, cultural approaches or learning styles.”
The award will be presented at a ceremony this summer in Washington, DC. For a complete list of the 2024 recipients and more information on National Medal recipients, visit the IMLS website.
About the Institute of Museum and Library Services
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation's libraries and museums. We advance, support and empower America's museums, libraries and related organizations through grantmaking, research and policy development. IMLS envisions a nation where people and communities have access to museums and libraries to learn and be inspired by the trusted information, ideas and stories they contain about our diverse natural and cultural heritage. For more information, visit www.imls.gov and follow us on facebook.com/USIMLS”>facebook and LinkedIn.
About the Museum of Discovery
Discovery Museum is a hands-on museum that combines science, nature and play, inspiring families to explore and learn together. The museum and its accessible outdoor Discovery Woods nature park and giant treehouse combine the best of STEAM (Science, technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics) learning on a beautiful 4.5-acre campus bordering 180 acres of conservation land in Acton, MA, about 20 miles west of Boston. Originally founded in 1982 and expanded to two museums in 1987, the museum reopened in a single 16,000-square-foot accessible building after a complete renovation and expansion in early 2018. Hands-on, open-ended exhibits developed by professional educators inspire curiosity and exploration. providing a fun and engaging experience for children and adults to discover their world together. Serving families and schools in towns throughout the region, the museum is dedicated to informal education that enhances classroom learning. Discovery Museum is committed to accessibility and is a proud recipient of the Massachusetts Commonwealth Award, the only winner in the access category, and a LEAD® Community Asset Award from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
In 2024, Discovery Museum received the National Medal for Museum Service from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the nation's highest honor awarded to museums.
For more information please visit www.discoveryacton.org. Discovery Museum is a community-supported nonprofit organization.
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