Children’s Museum programs aim to enrich

Facility receives grant from APS

The Children’s Museum of Yuma’s innovative model as an “emerging museum,” or museum without walls, is connecting residents and spreading the museum’s message of inclusivity far and wide.

The museum recently received a grant from APS to fund two of its signature programs: The Art Creation Makerspace and the Curious Minds Discovery Pass.

For 10 months out of the year, the museum travels to its patrons, popping up in schools and community centers and bringing its exhibits directly to the children of Yuma to stimulate their creativity and promote engagement, right within their daily routine.

But throughout June and July, the museum settles into the 6,000-squarefoot bottom floor of the Yuma Arts Center, 254 S. Main St. Here it can put its best exhibits on display at once, from the Tot Spot filled with toys that encourage development and fun, to the inspiring STEM exhibits, all the way to the Mission: Space Connections gallery that celebrates NASA’s 55 years of innovation at the Yuma Proving Ground. The exhibits aim to inspire children’s imagination and present them with ideas for the future.

“Yuma County is one of the most economically disadvantaged counties in Arizona,” explained Melissa Rushin Irr, executive director of the museum.

A retired educator of nearly 30 years, Rushin Irr aims to create a welcoming learning environment for all. “All of the schools in the county are designated as Title I schools by the federal government. Children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds often lack access to enriching cultural opportunities that will help them develop appropriately and thrive in the future.”

Inclusivity is a primary focus for Rushin Irr and the Children’s Museum. Tickets are set at $2 as one way of encouraging attendance. But for many in Yuma, that price is still too high. The grant from APS will fund the Curious Minds Discovery Pass, which provides free admission to families that would otherwise be unable to afford entrance.

The museum also hosts sensory friendly days when it reduces background lighting and noise, as well as the number of visitors. Special tactile materials are brought out as well to create a fun and pleasant experience for visitors on the autism spectrum and with other sensory sensitivities.

The museum even closes its doors to the public twice a year to hold private events for children undergoing cancer treatment.

“Everyone deserves time to just be a regular kid for a few hours, even in the midst of challenging circumstances,” Rushin said.

The Art Creation Makerspace is another way the museum is hoping to inspire young people. Rushin Irr laments the lack of opportunity some children have to express their creativity because circumstance or lack of materials. The Makerspace opens access to a variety of different materials that visitors can use to create whatever their imagination envisions: paintings, drawings, sculpture, multimedia pieces, etc.

Over last year’s eightweek summer program, the children of Yuma created more than 1,000 pieces of unique art. APS’s grant will help the museum to expand this program even more by adding more space and new materials.

Rushin Irr hopes that visitors will leave with something they didn’t arrive with — a spark. “Once a child is motivated to use their imagination and creativity, it’s hard to stop them from using it everywhere.” Irr