Answers:

Q. Has the new Children's Museum of Los Angeles opened yet?
A. No.  We are working hard to get our new Children's Museum of Los Angeles built.  Please keep an eye on our website for updates.

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Q. When did the Children's Museum of Los Angeles close?
A. The Museum temporarily closed its doors on August 27, 2000.

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Q. Why did the Children's Museum of Los Angeles temporarily close?
A. The old museum, opened in 1979, was never intended to be the permanent home for the Children’s Museum of Los Angeles.  As demand began to exceed the available space the Board of Governors began designing a NEW, BIGGER, WORLD-CLASS facility to the people of Los Angeles.

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Q. Where is Hansen Dam Recreation Park?
A. Hansen Dam Recreation Park is located on 1,400 acres in the Northeast San Fernando Valley.  Our new Museum will be just minutes from Universal City and Burbank Airport, and a short ride from downtown Los Angeles.

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Q. Why Hansen Dam?
A. Hansen Dam is Los Angeles’ best kept secret.  A beautiful park complete with riding trails, a lake, and plenty of open space, Hansen Dam offers a spectacular arena for our Museum.  PLUS, to build our facility the City of Los Angeles gave the Museum a 50-year lease on approximately 1 acre of land in the Park. 

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Q. Is the Children's Museum of Los Angeles a City museum?
A. No. While the Museum has leased land from the City, the Museum is a private, 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization.

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Q. Is there anything else for families to do around the new Museum?
A. Absolutely!  The Museum will be at the center of a new and improved bustling recreational area.  The Museum will be situated next to a NEW library and boundless playground, in addition to the already existent trails, swimming areas and horseback back riding facilities.  The Museum is one of many activities that will offer families from all over Los Angeles a wonderful year-round destination.

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Q. What's been happening in the time since the Museum closed to the public?
A. Great question!  Since August 2000, the Board of Governors has been tirelessly planning the very best children’s museum in the country, and these plans take time. 

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Q. Who have you chosen to design the building and the exhibits?
A. Sarah Graham from Angelil/ Graham/ Pfenninger/ Scholl Architecture is the architect for the NEW Museum at Hansen Dam.  The Los Angeles-based firm has a world-wide reputation for its innovative and environmentally friendly designs, and their plan for Hansen Dam won’t disappoint.  Graham has designed a ‘green’ building that at certain times of the day will run without electricity.  This 60,000 square-foot facility will include indoor and outdoor exhibit space, a café, performing arts theater and much more.

As for the exhibits, Edwin Schlossberg and his team from ESI Design have created the major exhibits for the new Museum.  ESI Design is world-renowned for their innovative designs and child-friendly concepts that are both educational and entertaining. 

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Q. How will the new Children's Museum of Los Angeles be funded?
A. The new Museum will be funded by a private / public partnership.  Our capital campaign is raising funds from corporations, foundations, individuals and government sources, while the City of Los Angeles will supply the Museum with a $17.5 million grant to bring our vision to reality.

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Q. Is there anything I can do to help?
A. Yes.  Get involved by making a contribution to the NEW Children’s Museum of Los Angeles at Hansen Dam Park.  No matter what the size, your support will help bring our amazing plans to fruition. 

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