ATLANTA — Today, 11Alive and the TEGNA Foundation presented a $5,000 grant to the Children's Museum of Atlanta for the Museum's Access programing. This will help with the museum's free and subsidized ticket programs and make programming accessible for those needing sensory-friendly play time.
Edwin Link, Executive Director of the Children's Museum of Atlanta, stressed CMA's mission to bring critical hands-on play is to our youngest minds across the city, "We exist to ensure that all Children have access to the power of play, whether it's social, emotional, physical and just the overall well-being of our young Children. These years are critical to informing the rest of their life and making sure their life and school ready, and play is the best tool to get them there."
Children's Museum of Atlanta is committed to increasing the number of children who can access play-based learning experiences, regardless of their circumstances. The TEGNA Foundation and 11Alive recognize the rising price of raising a family in the Atlanta area and hope this helps to break down barriers and provide equitable access to the Children's Museum of Atlanta and its outreach programs.
"11Alive and The TEGNA Foundation’s mission is to provide help and solutions to metro Atlanta families who are striving to make ends meet. We hope this grant can help ease some of the financial burden for families in metro Atlanta and open the door to come play and enjoy the enormous learning and educational experiences at the Children’s Museum of Atlanta and its outreach programs,” said Kristie Gonzales President & GM, WXIA-WATL and Vice President, TEGNA.
Children's Museum of Atlanta's strategies around access are designed to remove the financial, social, and cultural barriers that prevent children and their adult caregivers from benefitting from the Museum’s many offerings.
These programs include subsidized field trips to Title I schools and free access to the museum on Family Free Days four times per year. Children's Museum of Atlanta recently launched a 'Museums for All' program to make the museum more accessible to families receiving SNAP benefits, lowering the ticket fee to just $3. CMA also provides a sensory-modified experience on select Sundays, adjusting sound and lighting levels so guests with sensory processing needs feel more comfortable and welcomed.
Charitable contributions make these programs accessible, "They help ensure all families can both come here to the museum with reduced ticket costs, sometimes free family days that we have as well as make sure that all of our outreach programming that serves some 15,000 caregivers and kids outside in our community can happen year after year," added Edwin Link.
The Children’s Museum of Atlanta is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that strives to spark every child's imagination, sense of discovery, and learning through the power of play. Its exhibits and outreach programs are designed for children ages 0 to 8. The museum was founded in 1998 but opened its permanent location in Atlanta's Centennial Olympic Park in 2003.