C & G Newspaper: The Mount Clemens children’s museum to be known as The Discovery Center, coming this spring.

The Discovery Center is setting up inside of the two floors at the former Art-O-Craft store on Macomb Place in downtown Mount Clemens. With a new title, website and director on board, the Macomb Children’s Hands-On Museum in downtown Mount Clemens is gearing up for a spring 2020 formal opening.

The facility is being re-branded as The Discovery Center, a two-floor place for children to explore science, technology, engineering and other educational topics through exhibits and displays. Until recently, the program was to be known as the Macomb Children’s Hands-On Museum, but its mission has been transformed, according to Dusty Welsh, who was recently hired as its executive director.

“It’s going to be more of a discovery center. Everything has changed, there is much more of a demand for this outside of Macomb County so we’ve updated our name to better reflect what we’ll be doing here.”

The nonprofit center’s board of directors has signed a five-year lease with GTR Companies, which owns the former Art-O-Craft building on Macomb Place near Southbound Gratiot Avenue. Monika Rittner, president of The Discovery Center, said the facility will serve as a hub for a STEAM-based (science, technology, engineering, art and math) and vocational children’s experience residents of Macomb County and beyond. The group also hopes to have a positive economic impact on Mount Clemens.

“We are excited to be working with Nick Rizzo of GTR Companies who sees the potential impact of the museum on the area,” Rittner said in a news release.

Although Discovery Center leaders see their targeted audience as youngsters between the ages of 5-10, they’ve heard from teachers requesting programming for children ages to 13-18. Work is proceeding on the center’s interior, including flooring, adding a vestibule for climate control, and building out the fixed exhibits. More staff will also be needed, including a general manager, office manager and team of five part-time workers in addition to a team of volunteers.

Operating with a budget close to $1 million, the center’s board of directors has launched a diversified fundraising strategy that includes grants and other efforts.

Welsh is also extending an invitation to local artists and artisans who wish to contribute with the center’s development. “It’s really about creating a collaboration with the community,” she said. Welsh’s background centers on fundraising, marketing and consulting. Her past roles include serving as a start-up consultant for the Nest Collaborative, just a few doors from The Discovery Center, working as a tourism manager for the Michael Garman Co. in Colorado Springs, Colo. and a marketing manager for WBHR Consultants.

She knows there is a lot riding on the fate of this project, especially in regard to whether it will prove to be an attraction for schools and families outside of the immediate area. “This is a big space and there will be a lot of eyes on this project, wondering if we can help create a better downtown Mount Clemens,” Welsh said. “I know Mayor Laura Kropp wants it to become a family destination spot. This is going to be a test to see if it works.”

The Discovery Center plans to offer walkable, interactive exhibits, science displays, educational and family programming and year-round events, according to a news release. Organizers plan to have rotating exhibits that change every quarter. One of the first will be “Space Odyssey: The Final Frontier,” a space-themed aeronautics exhibit and space camp workshops.

Other initial attractions include a Michigan Explorer exhibit and indoor treehouse jungle gym; arts studio; miniature train and village display; and body works health exhibit. While interior continues at the facility, there will be special events including a Holiday Science Lab by the Traveling Think Tank, aimed at youngsters ages 5-10, Dec. 27-28. Tickets are $25.

Also, The Discovery Center will have a free movie night 4-8 p.m. on Dec. 31 during the city’s New Year’s Eve celebration, which includes a mini-fireworks show and ball drop at 9 p.m. for kids. There will be face painting, refreshments and free admission to the Museum Without Walls, a collection of exhibits the center has available throughout the year. The Discovery Center is located at 70 Macomb Place. For more information, call 586-615-7928, email discoverymacomb@gmail.com or visit www.discoverymacomb.org.

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