Last updated: 1/3/2011
2065 Kittredge St.
Berkeley, CA 94704
1563 Solano Avenue #326
Berkeley, CA 94707
| Fall - Winter Hours (starting |
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday - Thursday | 9:30 am - 1:00 pm |
| Friday, Saturday | 9:30 am - 4:30 pm |
| Sunday | Private parties only |
Habitot Children's Museum is the East Bay's award-winning discovery museum for young children. Our hands-on exhibits, drop-in art studio and events are perfectly tailored for infants, toddlers, preschoolers and families.
Habitot offers classes for children, parents and educators, plus group visits, birthday parties, workshops and family resources.
1992 – Habitot Children's Museum was founded by parents and educators to meet the unique needs and interests of infants, toddlers and preschoolers in the East Bay
1995 – "Waterworks" traveling exhibit completed after raising $40,000 - exhibit embarks on tour of 36 East Bay sites to help build support for Habitot. 5,000 people joined mailing list over the three-year tour.
1998 – $200,000 raised in advance member sales, fundraising events and individual donations. 4,000 sq. ft. facility leased, built-out and opened in downtown Berkeley, April 1998; 30,000 visitors in first year. Launched Family Outreach Program to broaden and diversify audience; opened gift store and "Rocky Coast" exhibit.
1999 – received city and private grants to initiate youth employment program (20+ high school/college students per year); first year-round multicultural events and programs on weekends; opened "Back to the Farm" exhibit; held first annual Preschool Art Fair; 50,000 museum visitors.
2000 – raised $60,000 in capital to lease, build-out and open Habitot, Too, an adjacent 1,100 sq. ft. classroom annex; commence year-round children’s classes and camps and parenting education program eventually raising $80,000 in earned class revenue and serving 1500 students and parents a year; "Firehouse" exhibit opened; Board adopts 5-Year Strategic Plan. Annual visitation reaches 60,000.
2001 – opened "Recycling Center" exhibit; launched Art Reach program of off-site arts programming in local schools and develops a fee for service line of revenue. Expands birthday and museum rental program; launched Early Childhood Safety Campaign; 65,000 visitors.
2002 – family outreach visitors reach 8% of our audience, 5,150 low-income/special needs visitors; opened "Blast Off to Outer Space" exhibits; completed feasibility study of Habitot's capacity to grow; produced first set of parent-to-parent parenting brochures; Early Childhood Literacy Project initiated; 75,000 visitors.
2003 – Parent Education Signage project complete; "Medical Center" exhibit opens; first "Take A Seat for Habitot" fundraising event, $55,000 raised; family outreach visitors reach 10% of our audience -- over 8,000 low-income/special needs visitors; completed IMLS Museum Self Assessment on public perception issues; 80,000 visitors.
2004 – Habitot honored with a federal Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS) award for its "Art Reach Program"; revamps website, eventually generating 40,000 unique hits annually and drawing hundreds of new visitors a year; leases additional office space for development, reaching 6,900 sq. ft. in total. Habitot's 5-year Strategic Plan revised through 2010; Contracted with commercial real estate broker to identify new facilities. National Award News
2005 – Initiated weekly community tours; received donation of Roger Goldenberg contemporary art work; completed transitional leadership process, creating a management level structure with the hiring of a managing director; retained public affairs/lobbying firm; launched 'Opening Doors' fund for relocating the museum, raising $100,000 in gifts and multiyear pledges of $300,000. Secured two additional capital pledges totaling $250,000 towards relocation fund. With off-site programs included, 97,000 visitors and community members.
2006 – Identified future home of the museum, a 2-acre site in Emeryville. Partnership agreement launched to secure and develop the site. Board initiates a capital planning effort and seed grants raised for $6-8 million campaign, including $72,000 from IMLS to design the outdoor space. Audience reaches 88,000, including 8,000 served in off-site programs. Low income family participation exceeds 12% of audience though active teen parent, caregiver support and diverse family programs. Free admission days welcome over 7,000 visitors.
Early Childhood Education
Parent, teacher, caregiver workshops and classes; Children's camps and classes; Community Art Reach program in local schools; Special Times for special needs families; Teen Times for teen parents, Early Childhood Safety Campaign, Early Childhood Literacy Campaign
Access: General Public, Students, Scholars, Members
Appointment required: No
Monthly newsletters; Annual report
parking, wheelchair access, re
fee for parking
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