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About Us

We are the champions of play.

Play isn’t killing time. It’s creating character. Everything we want from our children is already in them. And play is how they unlock it.

Welcome to PCM

As a young child in South Boston, I didn’t feel that museums belonged to me. They existed outside of who I was, where I belonged, and certainly not something I could see as a career choice. Now, having spent my career in design, education, and museums, I know how untrue that narrative was. But I also recognize the importance of access to creativity on a personal level. The opening of the Creativity Initiative in 2019 marked an important step for PCM and the children of southern New England. Here, children know that this welcoming and joyful spot to play is theirs. Our access programs make sure that no matter what their circumstances, we are their spot to play. And we want all the grown-ups in their lives to understand that this is the first stop on their children’s cultural pathway – that their ownership of this cultural institution will lead to a greater comfort and passion for creativity, arts and the other cultural institutions they may visit, contribute to, or lead.

Meet Our Directors

About Us

We are the champions of play.

Play isn’t killing time. It’s creating character.
Everything we want from our children is already in them. And play is how they unlock it.

Welcome to PCM

As a young child in South Boston, I didn’t feel that museums belonged to me. They existed outside of who I was, where I belonged, and certainly not something I could see as a career choice. Now, having spent my career in design, education, and museums, I know how untrue that narrative was. But I also recognize the importance of access to creativity on a personal level. The opening of the Creativity Initiative in 2019 marked an important step for PCM and the children of southern New England. Here, children know that this welcoming and joyful spot to play is theirs. Our access programs make sure that no matter what their circumstances, we are their spot to play. And we want all the grown-ups in their lives to understand that this is the first stop on their children’s cultural pathway – that their ownership of this cultural institution will lead to a greater comfort and passion for creativity, arts and the other cultural institutions they may visit, contribute to, or lead.

Meet Our Directors

Visitor Services

Julia Menges
Visitor Services Coordinator

Maureen Bishop
Visitor Experience Manager

Rachel Storey
Visitor Services and Program Coordinator

Development +
External Relations

Valerie Haggerty-Silva
Graphic Designer

Delaney Rose “DR” Ahrens
External Relations Coordinator

Amanda Howard
Data Coordinator

Education

Shayna Pimentel
STEAM & Making Programs Supervisor

Finance + Administration

Juaniesha Harvey
Associate Director of Finance

Donna Emerson
Bookkeeper and HRIS Admin

Charles Jones
Facilities Manager

Roseann Houser
Senior Housekeeper

Caroline Payson, Executive Director

Caroline was previously the Director of Education of the Smithsonian Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum. In that role, she was responsible for conveying the importance of design and design thinking in everyday life education programs for audiences including teachers, students, professional designers, scholars and the general public. Major initiatives included the website’s Educator’s Resource Center (400 standards-based lessons in all curriculum subject areas and videos modeling best practices); Design-in-the-Classroom, the Harlem Design Center; and National Design Week. The Museum’s annual outreach and impact included 25,000 students, family events for 5,000, after school programs for 1000 students, public programs attended by 1,200 people and a school tour program for 6,000 students.

Annelise Conway, Director of Development and External Relations

Annelise has over 20 years of experience in fundraising, marketing, and communications, joining PCM in February 2020. Holding several marketing and communications leadership positions at PwC, Annelise successfully leveraged digital media and segmented channels to connect with clients.

Heidi Brinig, Director of Families Together

Heidi founded the Families Together program in 1992. From the building in Pawtucket to the Museum in Providence, Heidi came to the Museum as a volunteer in April 1991, working to launch the renowned program. She has a bachelor’s in early childhood education and a master’s degree in human development and family counseling.

Kristin Read, Director of Education

Kristin has 25 years of experience in museums and other informal education settings and has supervised AmeriCorps teams for the last 8 years. As a committed museum educator, Kristin has supported the development of adult, youth and early education programming in arts and sciences, and the re-opening of the Miami Children’s Museum in its new location.

About Us

Our mission is to inspire lifelong learning for all through play, creativity, and exploration.

Hours and Admissions

Exhibits Closed
PCM’s exhibits are closed to the public until July 8, 2021 with the exception of vacation weeks. The Museum is available for birthday party and corporate rentals. 

All staff and visitors ages 2 and up must wear a mask that covers their nose and mouth at all times. No exceptions can be made to this policy. Bandanas and neck gaiters are not acceptable mask substitutes.

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Group Visits

Providence Children’s Museum is the ideal place for school field trips, camp outings, homeschool and community group trips and Scout excursions.

About Play

While society often overlooks and undervalues play, we are here to celebrate and elevate it. Because we know play isn’t frivolous. It’s foundational.

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For Families

Even though PCM is closed, we’ve collected an extensive resource of creative activities that will engage kids and their caregivers wherever you may be.

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PCM Lesson Plans

Check out our library of lesson plans for teachers and families. PCM has created a variety of lesson plans for teachers by teachers for children pre-k through early elementary.

Become a Partner

PCM has brought the magic of learning to life for over 40 years. As a trusted resource for families and children in southern New England, PCM is an anchor in our community.

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More than a Museum

PCM is committed to serving the children of southern New England – regardless of their financial ability. 40% of the Museum’s budget is dedicated to welcoming one-third of the Museum’s total audience free of charge or at greatly reduced rates through a variety of outreach programs.

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