Explora!: The Artist Reporters Investigate
Our Newletter class went on a field trip to Exlpora! a few weeks ago, and had the opportunity to talk to Membership and External Relations Manager Randy Pedro. Not only did we find out the inside scoop about Explora!, but we also EXPLORED a bit ourselves.
Explora's mission is "creating opportunities for inspirational discovery and the joy of lifelong learning through interactive experiences in science, technology, engineering, art, and math" according to their website. We, as apprentice artists, are especially interested in the art experiences Explora! has to offer, but the science, technology, math and engineering stuff is pretty cool, too!
Explora! started in the early 90s as a city idea with no permanent site. It's first home was as the Albuquerque Children's Museum in the Coronado Mall. Six months later Explora! started in the Galleria. The two organizations merged, and in 2003 they moved to the permanent Explora! site at Mountain and 18th. Explora! averages 610 visitors a day, not including school groups. They reach over 300,000 people a year all over the state of New Mexico. They also serve over 80, 000 students a year.
Some of the most popular exhibits at Explora! are the giant fountain, the sand table (which is currently being modified) and the bubbles. One of our favorites, as many of us are visual artists, was Sketch Theater, where you color a fish and upload the picture to a digital aquarium. Randy's favorite exhibit is a set of copper coils in the Charges, Currents and Circuits exhibit, because she was able to see a real life example of the exhibit in a documentary about hydroelectric power. When asked about new upcoming exhibits at Explora!, Randy told us there were some surprises in the works. She was able to tell us about several new art pieces featured at Explora! through the City of Albuquerque Public Art Program. One of our favorites was a 3-D beetle made from small, colorful wooden blocks. And don't forget to check out the gift shop, too!
Not only is Explora! a great place to learn and enjoy yourself, but it is also an award-winning institution. In 2010 Explora! won the National Museum Award, which is given out by the president. Recipients of the annual award, made by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), are selected based upon their sustained commitment and outstanding contributions to the communities they serve, and Explora staff got to travel to the White House to receive the award in person from Michelle Obama!
We want to thank our host at Explora!, Randy, for taking the time to talk to us and answer our questions. Randy started at Explora! as a volunteer when she was just a teenager. She worked in the museum's education program for 14 years, left the organization for ten years, and has been back in her current position for about a year and a half. When asked why she came back, Randy said that she loves the people, both the people who work there and the visitors. "We're like a family." she said, " And I love the people who visit and to see how people learn."
