Children’s Museum of Phoenix set to expand reach in foundational learning experiences
- May 26
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 9
By Jude McGee
The Children’s Museum of Phoenix has launched a capital campaign to transform its building in Downtown Phoenix. Sparked by a General Obligation bond investment from the City of Phoenix, the museum plans to expand its current space to include a preschool, ten new exhibits, and an early literacy center. The project will refresh six existing exhibits, creating a newer environment for old favorites. Also among the project’s focus is ADA accessibility and sensory areas for neurodivergent visitors.
Among the project's most important objectives is a focus on increasing access to play-based learning and important educational resources through collaborative partnerships with nonprofits in the Valley. For example, Valley of the Sun YMCA is partnering with the museum to develop the new Y Academy preschool, which will serve up to 80 children in Downtown Phoenix’s childcare desert.
Additionally, through partnerships with local literacy-based organizations, the museum will create a 2,600-square-foot Early Learning Literacy Center that will offer activities that supplement reading, language, and writing education for children from birth through age 10. The projected space is designed to be comfortable, sensory-friendly, and conducive to learning and play.
“Those first few years of life are when most of your brain synapses form,” said Kate Wells, president and CEO of the museum. “Language acquisition happens, and the more children are exposed to language and early literacy concepts, the more those hardwires develop.”
The Center aims to serve as a collaborative space for early literacy nonprofits that work to address literacy gaps in the state. According to Read on Arizona, only 39% of Arizona’s third-graders passed the Arizona Academic Standards Assessment test in English Language Arts in 2024.
The Center will host a network of local literacy-based organizations to promote collaboration and support caregivers and children. It will provide families with pre-literacy activities, resources, and insights from the partner network. “Literacy happens all around us, all the time,” Wells said. “We want to support families during the most critical, formative years.”
Residing in the historic Monroe School building in Downtown Phoenix since 2008, the museum has yet to utilize the entire 80,000-square-foot space. Unused spaces in the building, totaling approximately 27,000 square feet, require complete renovations to meet modern safety and health requirements. The five-year campaign plans to fill major gaps in the building and expand its outdoor area by 10,000 square feet.
Local philanthropists Christy Burton and Jan Lewis serve as co-chairs of the campaign. “This project will expand access to critical literacy tools for children in the Valley,” Burton said. “It’s an opportunity to support multiple facets of youth enrichment and play-based learning.”
The museum is projected to offer experiences to 500,000 children and their families annually once the renovations are completed, a 30% increase from its current capacity. As part of the second phase of expansion, construction of the Center is expected to begin in late 2026 or early 2027 and take approximately 48 weeks to complete.
To learn more about the Children’s Museum of Phoenix, visit childrensmuseumofphoenix.org/.
Images courtesy of the Children's Museum of Phoenix.