Local nonprofit museum responds to community feedback with hands-on exhibits, improved access, and a renewed focus on families
PRINCE GEORGE, BRITISH COLUMBIA – The Exploration Place is inviting the community to rediscover what’s inside. Over the past year, the local nonprofit museum and science centre has been making thoughtful, meaningful changes based on feedback from the people who matter most, its visitors.
“We know that not everyone connected with the museum right after the renovations, and that’s fair,” says Executive Director Alyssa Leier. “We’ve been listening to what our community has been asking for, and we’re working hard to bring back the hands-on, family-focused experiences that so many people told us they missed.”
Admissions and the overall visitor experience have certainly improved since The Exploration Place reopened in 2022. However, there’s still a segment of the community that isn’t yet aware of just how much has changed. One of the most significant pieces of feedback received after reopening was around the removal of the beloved Children’s Gallery. After 20 years, the space needed to be replaced. But not having a new hands-on offering ready at the time was a misstep the organization acknowledges. That response was the driving force behind the development of the Explorations Gallery, a new interactive space for kids and families that directly addresses community requests. Many of the recent improvements stem from extensive public consultation conducted as part of The Exploration Place’s 2023 strategic planning process.
Much of that work has happened quietly over the past year, meaning that many people who visited soon after reopening may not be aware of what’s changed since then. One of the most significant improvements is the addition of the Explorations Gallery, a new interactive space designed specifically for children. It’s full of hands-on exhibits that encourage play, experimentation, and learning through discovery. This new gallery, which is already open to the public, is still evolving as additional funding comes in. In the coming weeks, three new surprise fixtures will be installed that the team believes will be big hits with kids and families.
The Explorations Gallery has been made possible thanks to the generous support of the Y.P. Heung Foundation, the Prince George Community Foundation, Canfor, TELUS, the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George, and BC Hydro. As a nonprofit charity, The Exploration Place relies on grants and corporate donations to take on major projects like this, often involving lengthy application and reporting processes that can take months to complete. The museum is proud to share that it has nearly reached its fundraising goal for this project, and more enhancements are on the way.
Leier also notes that many of the most-loved elements from the former Children’s Gallery have already been added back into the space. “We’re actively working on bringing all the hands-on fun back,” she says. “We hope people who haven’t visited in a while will come see the difference for themselves.”
The museum has also lowered prices in the gift shop to make it more accessible for families and more in line with local expectations. Along with more affordable pricing, the shop now features a wider range of fun, science-based merchandise that reflects the hands-on learning happening throughout the museum, as well as locally themed goodies that spark curiosity and joy. Admission policies have been adjusted to create a more welcoming and flexible experience. Visitors no longer need to pay admission or hold a membership to enjoy food or drinks from Origins Kitchen in the Gaia Gallery, and they’re now welcome to bring their coffee with them into the galleries. One of the most popular changes has been the introduction of admission by donation every Thursday, all day from 9:00am to 8:00pm. There is no minimum donation, so visitors can pay what they can and explore everything the museum has to offer, without financial barriers.
“We’re asking people to give us a second chance,” says Leier. “If you haven’t been in the last year, you haven’t really seen what we’re doing now. And if you miss the nostalgia of what The Exploration Place used to be, we get it. But we’re building something new, and we want the community to help shape it.”
As a registered nonprofit charity, The Exploration Place relies on the support of the public to operate, evolve, and offer accessible experiences. The organization has been working toward long-term financial stability while upgrading exhibits and offering free school programs to students across Northern BC. Community support, through admissions, memberships, and even food or merchandise purchases, makes that work possible.
The museum also plays a vital role in preserving the region’s history. With more than a million photographs, 100,000 artifacts, and extensive paleontological and archaeological collections, The Exploration Place is a museum in the truest sense of the word. “It’s our job to make this place fun and welcoming,” says Leier. “But it’s also our job to take care of our collective heritage, and we take that responsibility seriously.”
A family membership is $195 and includes unlimited visits, discounts on camps and programs, and reciprocal free or reduced admission to other science centres across Canada, including Science World in Vancouver. “It’s a great way to support your local museum and get great value for your family,” says Leier.
The Exploration Place is encouraging everyone who hasn’t visited recently to drop in on a Thursday and take a look around. “We always appreciate constructive criticism and try our best to provide what our community is looking for,” Leier says. “We’re not done yet. But the changes are happening, and we hope you’ll come see for yourself.”
The museum’s next travelling exhibit, also designed with families in mind, will be opening in September. Stay tuned to The Exploration Place’s social media for upcoming announcements about this exciting new exhibit.
MEDIA INQUIRIES:
Alyssa Leier
Executive Director
The Exploration Place
M: 250.981.5913
alyssa.leier@theexplorationplace.com
