Sarah Cole, President & CEO, Glazer Children’s Museum

In an interview with Invest:, Sarah Cole, president and CEO of Glazer Children’s Museum, celebrated record attendance and financial access that benefited 1 in 4 visitors in terms of inclusivity. She also highlighted the museum’s strides in neurodiversity through partnerships like KultureCity and its mission to foster lifelong skills through play.

What have been some of the key highlights or achievements for the Glazer Children’s Museum over the past year?

This past year has been remarkable for us. We achieved record attendance, the highest since our opening year, which is incredibly exciting. Even more rewarding, however, was achieving record access. Through our financial access programs, 1 in 4 visitors participated at either no cost or a significantly reduced fee. These programs allow us to welcome a broader segment of the community, ensuring inclusivity and engagement with our offerings.

What role do you see the museum playing in differentiating Tampa’s arts and cultural scene from other regions?

I truly believe that every great city needs a great children’s museum. We serve as an entry point for families into the arts and culture world, offering a space where children can be celebrated for who they are while learning how to engage with museums. Our goal is to create a foundation for families, particularly in Tampa, where there is such a vibrant community of young families.

Beyond that, we see ourselves as a complement to the school system. Children spend more time outside of school than in it, and we provide a place where they can play, which is a critical way for kids to learn. By giving families a chance to engage and learn together through play, we offer something truly unique to Tampa’s cultural fabric.

How do you ensure that every new program reflects the diversity and vibrancy of Tampa’s community?

For us, staying connected to the community is key. We rely heavily on partnerships with other nonprofits, schools, families, and community groups. These collaborations provide vital insights, content, and support for the programs we offer. It’s easy for larger nonprofits to become insular, but these partnerships remind us that our mission goes beyond our walls. They help us reach families who might not otherwise think of or connect with us, ensuring our programs resonate with Tampa’s diverse and dynamic population.

With the introduction of exhibits like “Forts”, how does the museum select themes and partnerships to ensure they resonate with both children and families?

We strive to bring in a couple of new things each year because our audiences consistently tell us they want fresh, engaging, and innovative experiences. “Forts” is a re-imagining of a well-loved exhibit we’ve had for years, but with new immersive elements meant to evoke the feeling of being in an old house. The design elements tap into a sense of nostalgia and offer an intergenerational connection.

Family learning is a significant focus for us, helping parents and grandparents connect with children while learning not just from the content of the exhibits but also about each other. For instance, parents and grandparents who grew up making blanket forts in their homes can share their own childhood memories and experiences with their kids or grandkids, creating a deeper, shared understanding. It’s that ability to bridge generations through familiar themes that makes these exhibits so special.

How have your neurodiversity and financial access programs impacted the community, and what new initiatives are being explored to expand inclusivity?

We’ve taken significant steps in our neurodiversity programming this year. For example, we partnered with KultureCity, an international organization specializing in sensory respite and integration. Through their training and certification process, we’ve become a welcoming space for neurodiverse visitors. We also recently became a Certified Autism Center through the IBCCES, a designation requiring rigorous staff training and evaluations to ensure we meet the highest standards of accessibility.

In collaboration with the local school district, we’ve started a program where exceptional student high schoolers volunteer at the museum. They help at the front desk and on the floor, offering younger visitors, especially those who are neurodivergent or have disabilities, a chance to see themselves in those roles. It’s been incredibly inspiring to watch these connections form.

However, we acknowledge there’s always more to learn and improve. For example, I met with a mother who had concerns about accessibility for children with mobility and dexterity challenges. She walked me through the museum, highlighting areas where improvements are needed. It was a humbling but valuable experience, and I left with a list of actionable items to address. It’s a reminder to listen to every voice in our community and embrace the hard feedback that pushes us to grow.

These efforts, combined with our ongoing financial access programs, ensure that we’re creating a space where everyone feels welcome, supported, and valued.

How has the museum’s focus on preparing children for lifelong learning influenced your conversations with the business and higher education communities?

When we updated our mission and strategic plan to center on play, it sparked some debate internally and with partners. But once we explain what play truly does for children, especially to those in business and higher education, they’re completely on board.

Play fosters critical skills like communication, collaboration, creative problem-solving, and conflict resolution, often called “soft skills” or “21st-century skills.” These are foundational abilities for the workplace and are increasingly absent from traditional education due to time constraints. Our museum offers a safe environment for kids to take risks, navigate fears, and build these skills naturally, through activities like cooperative play or climbing challenging structures.

The reality is that the jobs awaiting today’s 2- to 8-year-olds don’t exist yet. We can’t do job training for them, but we can build the foundational skills they’ll need to thrive in an unpredictable future. That message resonates deeply with the community, as they recognize the value of fostering adaptability and resilience through play.

How is the museum integrating new technologies to enhance visitor experiences and conservation efforts?

Our visitor experiences are intentionally low-tech. In today’s world, where technology is everywhere, we find that children are drawn to analog and tactile activities; they find them novel and engaging. However, we do use technology to create magical, memory-making moments. For example, we might incorporate responsive tech, like water fountains that react to motion or light displays triggered by touch. These enhance the experience without making it about the technology itself.

Behind the scenes, we’re exploring technology like AI to streamline operations, whether it’s data analysis or automating repetitive tasks. We’re also investing in tools to better understand our audience through psychographics and user behavior analytics. Although our tech budget is modest, these innovations help us enhance both visitor engagement and operational efficiency.

What are your primary objectives for ensuring the museum remains a leader in children’s education and cultural enrichment?

We’re entering our second full year under a refreshed strategic plan that emphasizes the power of play. A key goal is helping families, educators, and the broader community understand the transformative impact of play, not just for children, but for society as a whole.

One exciting initiative is the launch of a podcast aimed at exploring topics like brain science, child development, and the benefits of play. It’s designed for families, businesses, and anyone interested in learning about these critical aspects of growth and well-being.

We’re also focusing on thought leadership, encouraging our team to share their expertise more broadly. This includes forging partnerships across sectors — higher education, innovation hubs, nonprofits, and parks and recreation — to explore the intersections of play, child development, happiness, and well-being. Our ultimate aim is to contribute to raising a healthier, happier generation by championing play as a vital component of childhood and community development.