At our museum, the Arizona Historical Society Museum in Tempe, children are a very important part of the audience.  School tours provide at least 60 per cent of our visitation.  In Arizona, fourth graders study Arizona history, so we get lots of kids at that grade, but we also attract middle school tours along with some high school groups.  Exhibits and programs can be designed to meet the needs of all ages, even though it's difficult.  We try to offer some hands-on activities in every exhibit.  Our transportation gallery caters most to kids with many activities.
I'd venture a guess that if you don't include kids in the mix, you will lose a substantial part of your potential audience.
Good luck in designing your program.
Mary Melcher, Curator

>>> [log in to unmask] 01/09/04 07:13AM >>>
Our museum is debating audience development strategies. Does anyone know
of data on the relative importance of children as part of the potential
museum-going population?  What do you lose if you do NOT go after
children and youth? Have experts written about this? We are especially
interested in history museums.

Tom Hanchett, Levine Museum of the New South
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