Children's Museum of Sonoma County

MAY DAY IS PLAY DAY 

at The Children's Museum of Sonoma County...

On Sunday, May 15, from 11am-4pm the Children's Museum of Sonoma County (CMOSC) is opening its new home on Steele Lane in Santa Rosa for its first May Day is Play Day event. This is a great opportunity to tour the site before construction begins, view conceptual sketches of exhibit designs, enjoy the full Museum-on-the-Go, experience the “Raceways” exhibit from the Sacramento Children's Museum AND see our newest exhibit - a real Indy Racing Car – donated by Infineon Raceway! A suggested donation of $3 per person for the entire day, rain or shine. All proceeds will go towards the cost of exhibits and site.

The CMOSC was started in 2005 by CEO and Founder, Collette Michaud, a mom living in Petaluma with her husband and two young children. She wanted a culturally enriching place to take her two boys in Sonoma County.


The mission of the CMOSC is to inspire children's creativity and stimulate their curiosity to discover the world through playful exploration of the arts and sciences. The CMOSC envisions a compassionate and vibrant place that supports the creative potential of all children and enhances a child's capacity to actively contribute to the long-term health and prosperity of the community.

Over the past five years the CMOSC has operated primarily as a Museum-on-the-Go, bringing hands-on, interactive exhibits focused on science and the arts to over 10,000 children at more than 140 events, including schools, private and community events throughout Sonoma County.

Last December, the CMOSC signed a lease with Jeannie Schulz for the building and 4.2 acres of land at 1835 W. Steele lane, within walking distance from the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Snoopy Ice Arena. Conceptual exhibit designs by S2 Associates in Napa are now complete and Axia Architects of Santa Rosa is leading the tenant improvement efforts. The immediate plans for the renovated building include a toddler room, an art room, birthday party room, and main gallery focused on science and Sonoma County History. Future plans also include an outdoor theatre and interactive outdoor gardens. The CMOSC hopes to begin renovations to the site in spring of 2012, with a goal of opening to the general public by the end of the year.

In the meantime, the CMOSC is hosting Birthday parties for kids ages 3-10, workshops, and other special events like May Day at the new site.

We hope to see you on May 15th, but you can also visit the Museum-on-the-Go at other wonderful community events this spring and summer starting with Earth Day celebrations at both Montgomery Village (April 16) and Windsor on the Green (April 17th). For more information about birthday parties, workshops, School Outreach programs, and the Museum-on-the-Go, please visit our website at www.cmosc.org. Bringing hands-on experiences in science, art and nature to ALL children is the goal of the CMOSC and we need your help! Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to the museum and be a part of making this wonderful and much needed family resource a reality for Sonoma County’s families!

Collette Michaud,CMOSC Founder and CEO, Biography (Optional/FYI)
Collette has over 20 years of experience working in software design as a project leader, game designer, art manager and animator. For more than ten years, she was a key innovator and manager for Lucas Learning and LucasArts Entertainment Company. While at LucasArts, Collette was a part of the executive management team and was recruited to help launch Lucas Learning LTD. During her tenure at Lucas Learning, Collette worked with teachers, scientists, and young children to create award winning educational software products. In 2001, Collette left the software industry to raise her two young sons. Having children of her own opened her eyes to the real need for hands-on experiential learning outside of the computer.