Who We Are

	The unique mission of the Children’s Museum of Los Angeles (CMLA) began more than 25 years ago, when a group of concerned parents and friends identified the need for a cultural institution in Los Angeles specifically created for and about children. The desire was to create a space to educate, empower, entertain and enrich children’s lives. These dedicated individuals donated their own monies, sought the advice of experts, received a $1-a-year lease from the City of Los Angeles, and inaugurated what was known then as the Los Angeles Children’s Museum. Following in the footsteps of flagship children’s museums in Boston,

The unique mission of the Children’s Museum of Los Angeles (CMLA) began more than 25 years ago, when a group of concerned parents and friends identified the need for a cultural institution in Los Angeles specifically created for and about children. The desire was to create a space to educate, empower, entertain and enrich children’s lives.

These dedicated individuals donated their own monies, sought the advice of experts, received a $1-a-year lease from the City of Los Angeles, and inaugurated what was known then as the Los Angeles Children’s Museum. Following in the footsteps of flagship children’s museums in Boston,

Brooklyn and Indianapolis, the facility and its exhibits were hands-on and interactive, stimulating children to broaden their awareness of the world and its possibilities.

For over 20 years, the downtown Children’s Museum served the community. During this time, the Museum became a recognized leader in the field of children’s education, providing programs that enabled nearly five million participants and visitors of all ages to learn through music, theater, visual art and play. Successful in its mission, the Museum became the premiere cultural institution in Southern California built specifically for and about children.

However, the original Museum was a temporary space, never intended to serve as a permanent home. In the late 1990s it became apparent that the space was too small to accommodate the growing number of visitors and, for many families, was logistically difficult to access. In 2000, the Board of Governors closed the Museum to focus available resources on building a larger, more accessible facility with innovative exhibitry. To execute this plan, the remarkable exhibit design firm of Edwin Schlossberg Incorporated was selected along with the renowned architectural firm of Angelill/Graham/Phenninger/Scholl. Together, their bold new talent will combine and rise to meet the vision of a new children’s museum that will attract more than 360,000 visitors a year.

The new Children’s Museum of Los Angeles will provide children and youth with a fun, interactive, safe and imaginative space where they can explore thoughts, produce creations and communicate ideas beyond the realm of their everyday experiences. Visitors will immerse themselves in an experience where pride in community and appreciation of others, the environment, and “modes” of communication are the most predominant themes.

CMLA will provide programs and exhibits that transcend age and experience and will empower its young visitors with the ability to set their own pace as they explore and learn.

We look forward to welcoming you to our new Museum at Hansen Dam Recreation Park!