World Awareness Children's Museum

About the Museum

The World Awareness Children’s Museum (WACM) is chartered by the NYS Department of Education to “inspire curiosity and foster understanding and appreciation of worldwide cultural diversity.” This mission is advanced through its interactive exhibitions, international youth art exchange program, educational programs supporting K-12 standards, and exhibitions for loan. Our future goal is to become a recognized authority on cultural diversity, as it is on international children’s art, and expand our mission to adult audiences. The annual operating budget is $212,000 with earmarked growth of 25% within one year.

Since its inception as the International Arts & Culture Association in 1985, WACM has collected and shared international youth art to promote positive images and appreciation of diverse cultures. As our founding director retires, WACM is committed to finding the best person to deliver and build upon a strategic direction that recognizes and responds to the dynamically changing world in which we live. The organization has a solid foundation, made evident by its prestigious collections; positive community standing; recognition by other children's museums; excellent educational programming; and strong grassroots support that resulted in the fulfillment of a $1.7 million capital campaign for a newly renovated building as its permanent home. This space, called go! where children discover the world, opened in 2011.