Partners

As partners aim to build a thoughtfully designed children’s museum along Omaha’s RiverFront, they are focused on these six goals based on best practices in early childhood development that can inspire extraordinary experiences.

A cartoonish abstract character with a square dark green head, round white eyes with black pupils, on two small dark green legs, standing on a yellow surface
  • Child with glasses in a museum exhibit.

    Welcome

    Intentionally designed spaces and exhibits for children and caregivers of varied physical and intellectual abilities, developmental stages, and cultural backgrounds. 

  • Children playing with a water fountain exhibit indoors.

    Connect

    Inclusive, intergenerational opportunities for all children and caregivers to deepen their connections and reciprocal learning through the universal language of play.

  • Child climbing a red wall with handholds inside a play area.

    Challenge

    Encouragement of risk-taking, choice, and exploration within a safe environment that nurtures essential skills including confidence, resilience, and problem-solving.

  • A young child in a light blue sweater standing indoors, surrounded by bubbles with a colorful blurred background.

    Surprise

    Varied exhibit pathways that delight visitors, as unexpected events and outcomes spur powerful learning moments.

  • Young child reading a picture book at a table in a classroom.

    Recharge

    “Off-ramps” where visitors retreat, relax, and engage in quiet play to support self-regulation and healthy social and emotional development.

  • Smiling child with toy sailboat at a play area.

    Inspire

    Lasting memories, skill-building, and community outreach that extend the museum’s influence beyond its walls, reinforcing and expanding visitor learning. 

Advisory Group Partners

  • A smiling person wearing glasses and a gray turtleneck against a blue background.

    Dr. William P. Austin

    Associate Professor, Teacher Education, University of Nebraska Omaha

  • Close-up of a smiling woman with dark hair, wearing a black turtleneck and pearl necklace, against a purple background.

    Donna Dobson

    Executive Director of Elementary Education, Omaha Public Schools

  • Smiling person wearing glasses with a green background.

    Dr. Walter Gilliam

    Executive Director, Buffett Early Childhood Institute

  • Man with glasses and goatee wearing a suit and blue tie against a pink background.

    Dr. Károly Mirinics

    Director, Munroe-Meyer Institute; Hattie B. Munroe Professor of Psychiatry, Pharmacology, and Experimental Neuroscience, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, UNMC

  • A person with glasses smiling against a yellow background.

    Dr. Abbie Raikes

    Associate Professor & Director of Global Early Childhood Development, UNMC

  • Smiling person with curly hair and earrings, blue background

    Silva Raker

    Museum Executive

  • A person with short hair wearing glasses, smiling, against a purple background.

    Jessie Rasmussen

    President, Buffett Early Childhood Fund

  • Person wearing glasses smiling in front of a green background.

    Linda Reddish

    Extension Educator, Nebraska Extension

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Project Leadership

  • Smiling man in business attire with yellow background

    Mickey Anderson

    Heritage Omaha Board Member

  • A smiling person with short blonde hair wearing a black and white striped turtleneck, set against a blue background.

    Rachel Jacobson

    Heritage Omaha President

  • Elderly man with glasses smiling, wearing a light gray jacket, against a purple background.

    Mike Lebens

    Project Sponsor

  • Smiling older woman with short gray hair and a green background.

    Susan Lebens

    Project Sponsor & Omaha Children’s Museum Board Member

  • Smiling person with short blonde hair against pink background.

    Sandy Parker

    Project Sponsor & Omaha Children’s Museum Board Member

  • Woman with glasses smiling against a yellow background

    Dr. Abbie Raikes

     Advisory Group Member & Omaha Children’s Museum Board Member

  • Smiling person with a purple background

    Dana Washington

    Omaha Children’s Museum Board Chair

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Project Partners

Snohetta logo
Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture logo
Kiewit logo
CBRE logo
Heritage Omaha logo
Omaha Children's Museum logo
City of Omaha Seal
Roto logo