Often welcoming more than 300 guests in a day, the museum has been “feeling the squeeze” for some time, said Holland Hayden, senior marketing and communications manager. This project goes far beyond the need for extra space, however.

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“From the beginning, the Amazeum was very intentional in listening to community needs, whether that was from educators, parents, additional caregivers or the community at large,” Hayden said. “We’ve done a number of listening sessions over the years, making sure that we are the resource that this community needs.”

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EXP&ING Futures is all about saying “Yes, & ...” to the needs of a growing region. That means making STEAM — Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math — education available to people of all ages, providing more support for educators and caregivers, developing an innovative and entrepreneurial workforce, and above all, encouraging wonder and play.

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With schools increasingly strapped for time and resources, Hayden said the Amazeum aims to be a supportive space where kids can safely experiment with ideas and materials, make mistakes, and try again. This exploratory, low-stakes environment is crucial to developing the resilient problem-solvers our changing world needs.

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The Amazeum’s expansion will happen in two phases.

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Phase one introduces an outdoor facility complementing the nearby Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art nature trails and Orchards Park. This “Outdoor Amazeum” will include an Early Childhood Education Center, an outdoor science playscape called the Backyard, and the Hangout, a meeting and food service space.

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“We’re really leaning into early learners in this new space,” Hayden said. The first six years of life are crucial for development, and research shows children learn 20 times faster through play than through repetition. The Amazeum offers rich sensory experiences for infants as young as 2 months old.

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For bigger kids, imagination will rule supreme in the Backyard. Far more than a playground, it’s a space for science-centered adventures in the natural world. Expanded communal space in the Hangout will also offer parents and caregivers more opportunities to connect and build networks among themselves.

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Phase two of the expansion is the Innovation Center, which will support the Amazeum’s ever-growing work with teens, adults and educators.

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This phase will add the Learning Studio for professional development for educators, the Design and Creativity Suite of laboratories for classes and creative projects, and a STEAM Exhibit Gallery where the public can witness creative work firsthand.

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Hayden emphasized the Amazeum has something to offer people of every age. “By coming to the Amazeum as an adult, whether you’re with a child or not, you’re just continuing to spark that lifelong love of learning,” she said.

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At the heart of EXP&ING Futures are stories such as that of Gavin, a student Hayden met at last year’s Tinkerfest. Tinkerfest is an annual Amazeum event that brings together “tinkerers” — artists, makers, entrepreneurs and learners — from all over the region for hands-on activities and exploration.

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One of the most exciting components of Tinkerfest is a “car take apart,” where kids use tools to safely strip down an automobile and discover how it’s made. Last year, a volunteer group of automotive students from Northwest Technical Institute was there to help.

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Gavin, who was volunteering, told Hayden he’d attended Tinkerfest four years before and decided there and then he wanted to be a mechanic. Today, Gavin is a senior at Bentonville High School, attending NWTI concurrently and pursuing his automotive certification.

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This encounter brought home the Amazeum’s impact to Hayden. “He has all this knowledge already because he came and tried something that he’d never been exposed to before, and it changed his course,” she said.

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Groundbreaking for phase one is planned for late spring/early summer of this year, with completion expected within sixteen months. The Amazeum invites the community to join in by giving and continuing to make the Amazeum part of their lives.

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“Over the past decade, the Scott Family Amazeum has been a cornerstone for creativity and discovery in Northwest Arkansas, thanks to the community’s unwavering support,” said Seth Duell, capital campaign manager. “Now, to meet the growing needs of our community, we must expand. Our $25 million EXP&ING Futures capital campaign is a bold step forward, but its success depends on you. Together, we can ensure the Amazeum continues to inspire innovation and learning for generations to come. Join us in shaping the future — every contribution makes a difference.”

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Donations of any size will help shape the future of hands-on learning in Northwest Arkansas. With the support of the community, the Amazeum is set to inspire curiosity and innovation for generations to come.