Wendy Keller Executive Director

CELEBRATING A GIANT LEAP

Since 2013, we have taken significant steps toward creating a children’s museum in North Dakota. Our public-private partnership with the City of Minot and Minot Park District, together with generous support from regional businesses, foundations and individuals, expressed the enthusiastic desire to bring the Magic City Discovery Center to our region. In fall 2020, the Office of Economic Adjustment and Department of Defense awarded us a $6.3 million grant, adding a giant leap to our steady steps!

ESTABLISHING A FIRM FOUNDATION

The dream of a discovery center began in a brainstorming session about community and regional needs. The spark of an idea ignited a fire of enthusiasm in a small group of passionate volunteers who worked tirelessly to successfully organize and operate the Magic City Discovery Center in an interim location for four winters, drawing over 20,000 visitors. By the end of those four years, our visitors had spoken! They wanted an innovative and permanent children’s museum.

WHAT’S NEXT?

Construction begins this spring and this spectacular building will be complete by the end of 2022! With help from donors to our new, focused Launch Campaign, funding the behind-the-scenes costs (furnishings, staff, computers . . . everything down to the garbage cans), we will Open the Doors to you! But you don’t have to wait until then to experience the STEAM-based learning opportunities of this children’s museum. Currently we offer Discovery on the Go!, an outreach program able to bring engaging education directly to you in your school or community. Reach out to us, then watch for the Magic City Discovery Center trailer coming to your area soon!

A MESSAGE FROM THE MCDC BOARD PRESIDENT

Karen Rasmusson Board President

"What a year we have been through in 2020! Our community has risen to the challenge and with the help of so many, we will begin construction of the Magic City Discovery Center next spring! Through our public-private partnership and the support of OEA, DoD and many others, we will be opening a 22,000 square-foot building that will house 12 STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) based exhibit galleries where families will be able to explore, interact, have fun and learn. As Dr. Suess said, “Children want the same things we want. To laugh, to be challenged, to be entertained and delighted. Oh the places you will see! There is fun to be done!”

We will continue to need your support as we launch our new campaign to prepare for opening the doors of MCDC in 2022. Please consider us in this season of Thanksgiving and Hope as we work to make the Magic City Discovery Center a destination not only for our children and families of Minot but for all North Dakotans and visitors!

We are hopeful.

We are thankful.

And we couldn’t be more excited!"

Karen Rasmusson

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

CO-CHAIRS' MESSAGE

{Randy Burckhard & Kathy Aas}

{Karen Krebsbach & Kathleen Gaddie}

"It has been gratifying to see the hard work to raise funds for our new building bring this project from a dream to reality. The Magic City Discovery Center will engage and captivate children’s interest as they learn and develop new skills while having fun. STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) learning is essential for the success of our children, state and country. The Magic City Discovery Center is the best large-scale endeavor for children in decades and will continue to be a treasure for our entire state for many years to come. It is a community-focused asset that we invite you to support. We are proud to be a part of this wonderful enhancement for our community, our families, and, especially, our children."