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Renovated Family Sanctuary Enhances Inclusive Space for Families

Renovations made possible by Variety – The Children’s Charity, Rotary Club of Iowa City A.M., and The Rotary International Foundation 

The Iowa Children’s Museum is thrilled to announce the completion of a renovation to the Family Sanctuary, a quiet space for families in need of a break from the excitement of museum exhibits. These updates were made possible through the generous support of Variety – the Children’s Charity, as well as support from The Rotary Club of Iowa City A.M. and The Rotary International Foundation.

The Family Sanctuary has been available to museum guests for many years, but recent updates have transformed the space into a more welcoming and functional area with new flooring, furniture, lighting, and calming activities for children. The newly renovated space, located within the Imaginacres exhibit, now includes a cozy reading nook, a sensory light tube, and a peaceful playhouse. This renovation also includes the addition of a size-inclusive changing station in one of the museum’s nearby family restrooms.

More than 5,000 museum visitors utilize the Family Sanctuary each year, and the recent updates ensure that the space is more inclusive and comfortable for families with diverse needs. “Providing a welcoming and inclusive space for all is foundational to our mission,” said Jeff Capps, executive director of The Iowa Children’s Museum. “This renovation is part of our ongoing efforts to enhance the museum and better serve the needs of our community.”

The Iowa Children’s Museum is committed to creating an inclusive space for all individuals, and the Family Sanctuary’s recent renovation is just one example of this commitment. In addition, the museum is certified as Sensory Inclusive™ by KultureCity, offers hundreds of free admissions each month through the ICM for Everyone program, and provides a quieter and more sensory-friendly environment on the last Sunday evening of each month. For more information about any of these initiatives, contact Aimee Mussman, assistant director, at amussman@theicm.org. 

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Closed August 26th-30th

The Iowa Children’s Museum will be closed Monday, August 26th, through Friday, August 30th, for routine cleaning and maintenance. Thank you for your patience while we work to make our exhibits even better for your next visit!