Mission & Values

Mission

Discovering the joys of learning, play, and community.

The Santa Fe Children’s Museum builds upon a child’s sense of joy and discovery by cultivating habits of inquiry in the arts, sciences, and humanities.

Values

The Santa Fe Children’s Museum celebrates and advocates for all families.  

We champion a community dedicated to creating a more diverse, equitable, empathetic and enjoyable world. 

Our staff and board are committed to honoring each family’s experience and contribution.

We believe that together we can build a joyful, inclusive space for imaginative learning.

The Santa Fe Children’s Museum has a DEAI Committee, composed of staff, contractors, and community members, who are committed to evaluating and growing an inclusive environment at the Santa Fe Children’s Museum.

Philosophy

The Santa Fe Children’s Museum is based on a simple idea: children learn by doing.  The museum provides an informal environment that fosters connections among children and families and encourages active participation in the learning process through interactive exhibits and programs. As a site for family outings, children and parents are brought together in the spirit of challenging play.

Diversity

The Santa Fe Children’s Museum celebrates that your family is unique from any other family. We believe that the diversity of guests is what makes a museum remarkable. We strive to make our staff and programs reflective of our community.  It is our responsibility to provide a sense of home that fosters a playful and creative environment where all children and families know they are welcome.

Equity

The Santa Fe Children’s Museum celebrates and advocates for all families.  We are dedicated to ensuring all children have a safe, open, and loving platform to be themselves.
We believe that together we can build a joyful, inclusive space for imaginative learning.

The museum supports equitable access through resource distribution. Our work to celebrate and advocate for all families happens within and beyond our museum doors. Beyond guests, the museum is an active partner of life across Santa Fe.

Accessibility

All of our children and families deserve access to the museum. We welcome everyone, without discrimination.

Santa Fe Children’s Museum believes an accessible and inclusive Museum must address each visitor’s experience—making the museum’s facilities, offices, exhibits, services, programs, digital spaces, and staff welcoming to all. 

Our partners are paramount in planning for accessibility-related activities and how to best serve special populations. These include UNM Center for Development and Disability, NM Autism Society, and Assistance Dogs of the West.

Wheelchair Accessibility

The entire museum and Backyard is accessible to wheelchairs and most mobility assistance devices. 

We want to ensure that our space is available to all:

• All bathrooms and water fountains are wheelchair accessible.
• Accessible parking is available.
• Service animals are always welcome.

Regardless of any need that may arise, our staff is ready and willing to support all guests during their visit to the Santa Fe Children’s Museum.

Community Access

Thursdays are Yours!

The Santa Fe Children’s Museum encourages community access with FREE ADMISSION for children age 17 and under from 4 pm –  6 pm on Thursdays. 

Admission Assistance & Discount Recognitions

Complimentary admission and memberships are available through our community partners if you have a pass. Ask if you think you may qualify.

Every day we offer discounts for EBT recipients, military and first responders, teachers, and Senior Citizens (65+).

Camp Scholarships

Those who qualify (limited scholarships available) for free or reduced lunch at school may receive financial support in attending our camps. 

Schoolchildren Access

Title I schools receive complimentary field trips to visit the Museum for all classrooms.

Contact children@santafechildrensmuseum.org for questions regarding field trips and school children’s access.

Inclusion

We are committed to providing such joy to guests from all backgrounds, lifestyles, ethnicities, abilities, and socioeconomic statuses.  We dedicate ourselves to work diligently to ensure that our staff, Board of Directors, programs, exhibits, marketing, events, and opportunities are reflective of such inclusion.

Sensory Friendly 

Our bilingual staff is trained in sensory-sensitive practices and we have sensory-friendly tools always available. 

Contact us at children@santafechildrensmuseum.org or (505) 989-8359 x 103 for more information about these programs.

Restrooms

The Santa Fe Children’s Museum has all gender, wheelchair-accessible restrooms, and baby changing stations that are open for use for all visitors.

Bilingual Staff

The Santa Fe Children’s Museum has staff on-site who are fluent in Spanish.

Association of Children’s Museums Reciprocal Network

Members of the Association of Children’s Museums’ Reciprocal Network receive 50% off regular admission for up to 6 people (including the cardholder, who must be present)  Bring your membership card with the red Reciprocal Network logo to receive this discount

We embrace the challenge and opportunity to continue this important work and seek to provide and adjust to all in our community and provide an environment that is reflective of all of our guests needs.

~ The Santa Fe Children’s Museum is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. ~

 The Santa Fe Children’s Museum is all about discovery!