Great River Children’s Museum in St. Cloud Receives $280,000 Boost

(KNSI) – The Great River Children’s Museum in downtown St. Cloud is one of 12 across the state getting a little financial boost.

The GRCM was awarded $280,000 from the Minnesota Humanities Center. The museum is under construction with the hopes of holding a grand opening before the end of the year.

The funds are part of the $2.2 million from the Land and Legacy Amendment doled out to museums and cultural heritage exhibits across the state. The Minnesota Legislature set up a competitive application process for the funds.

The money is for youth education, new exhibits and outreach to underserved and diverse communities. More than 65 percent of the funding will support education for kids and their families in greater Minnesota.

The MHC says it had more than $3.8 million in project requests. This is the program’s largest funding request in nearly 15 years.

“MHC is proud to support these Children’s Museums within Minnesota that are fostering curiosity, building community and making an impact,” stated CEO, Kevin Lindsey. “We also appreciate the wisdom of the legislature in supporting such key early learner educational institutions.”

The other institutions to receive funding are:

Jake Judd/KNSI News

– The Works Museum ($321,964)
– Duluth Children’s Museum ($215,000)
– (Neo) Muralismos de Mexico ($80,000)
– Otter Cove Children’s Museum ($149,455)
– WonderTrek Children’s Museum ($280,000)
– Children’s Discovery Center ($180,000)
– Judy Garland Children’s Museum ($127,581)
– Children’s Museum of Southern MN ($220,000)
– SPARK ($150,000)
– Mini Sota Agricultural Children’s Museum ($25,000)
– Asian American Business Resilience Network ($50,000)

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