Kidsplay children's museum will launch the "hub@kidsplay", both a physical space within the museum's facility and a program initiative intended to foster collaboration among community stakeholders…

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) awarded a $572,807 Museums for America (CFDA 45.301) project grant to Kidsplay Children's Museum, Inc. to launch the "HUB@KIDSPLAY" initiative. This 3-year project will establish a physical space within the museum and a corresponding program aimed at fostering collaboration among community stakeholders to better prepare children aged 0-8 to thrive. Key activities include hiring a full-time hub manager to coordinate programming and community partnerships with local schools, social service agencies, cultural organizations, and businesses. The museum will provide a community resource library, program room, and space for a family-friendly cafe as part of the hub. Through this initiative, Kidsplay Children's Museum will serve as a trusted resource and site for informal learning to support positive outcomes for children and families in the Torrington, CT community.

Kidsplay children's museum will launch the "hub@kidsplay", both a physical space within the museum's facility and a program initiative intended to foster collaboration among community stakeholders with the goal of preparing children aged 0-8 to thrive. The project will support a full-time hub manager, who will be responsible for hub programming and evaluation, as well as ongoing collaboration with community partners such as the public school system and local social service agencies, cultural organizations, and businesses. A steering committee and focus groups will inform this initiative, which will emphasize service to families that are low-income or latinx immigrants. The physical hub will consist of a community resource library, program room, and open space for a future family-friendly café counter. As a result of the project, the museum will provide a space for informal learning and serve as a trusted resource that contributes to positive outcomes for children and families in the community.