Wonder Works is a children's museum, a non-profit corporation established in 2002, located in the village of Oak Park, Illinois.[1] It is the successor to the Children's Museum of Oak Park, established in 1993. The museum is dedicated to the principle of offering a fun, largely self-directed playing and learning place for children.
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| Established | 1993 |
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| Location | 6445 West North Avenue Oak Park, IL 60302 |
| Coordinates | 41°54′32″N 87°47′14″W / 41.90889°N 87.78722°W |
| Type | Children's museum |
| Visitors | 55,000 (2008) |
| Director | Rachel Rettberg |
| Website | http://www.wonder-works.org |
Occupying its own building in one of the village's business districts, the museum attracted seventy thousand visitors in 2017. They enjoyed the facilities as drop-in visitors, as museum members, as birthday party invitees, or as special-event attendees.
The museum funds its operations by means of the sale of visitor day passes, yearly memberships, proceeds from special events, and fundraising. Special events generally include value-added educational programs for adults and kids, with most special events being included with general admission.
Wonder Works is managed by a board of directors comprising members of the local community; a CEO; DOO, museum floor managers; an education team, and a number of full-, part-time, or volunteer associates in various roles.
The museum hosts an annual event called "Off the Wall", in which local teens created a mural under the direction of local artist Carolyn Elaine.[2]
References
edit- ^ Inklebarger, Timothy (April 30, 2019). "Wonder Works hires new director". Wednesday Journal. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
- ^ Hindery, Rachel K. (August 13, 2018). "'It's very visible': Mural at Wonder Works helps North Avenue sparkle in Oak Park". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved April 5, 2018.