The South Florida Museum revealed bold plans for its future with the announcement of the Connect Campaign, a multi-pronged initiative set to expand the museum’s capabilities and its footprint on the community with a host of new facilities and technologies. Connect Campaign Committee Chair William Blalock said $9.6 million of the $12 million required for the first step has already been raised by community donors, including $1.3 million from The Mosaic Company Foundation.

One of the largest changes planned for the landscape comes in the Mosaic Backyard Universe, a two-story facility designed to engage the museum’s younger guests and their families in science, technology, engineering and math activities, complete with an outdoor area styled after a typical backyard for more hands-on learning. Connecting the Backyard Universe to the rest of the Museum will be The Commons, an all-purpose meeting and activity area complete with a museum store and café.

“We can confidently state that this project will be transformative for the museum and the community,” said Kari Niedfeldt-Thomas, senior manager, social responsibility and executive director at Mosaic. “It gives our youngest members the chance to see the world.”

Alongside these additions, the museum aims to upgrade existing exhibits, including new holding pools and a food delivery system for the aquarium, as well as creating a more cohesive and integrated museum experience all-around by updating programming into a more visible “storyline.” The new Pathways program aims to personalize the experience even further, using integrated technology to lead guests to displays or objects that may fit their interests.

“The Connect Campaign is the culmination of many years of work building on accomplishments and investments in the museum since the 1940s,” said Blalock. “I recall the accomplishments of the 50s and 60s – these benchmarks were set for future board members to follow.”

With renderings set, plans underway and most of the necessary funds, the South Florida Museum and the Connect Campaign is now reaching out to the surrounding community – individuals, institutions and everything in between – to help cross the finish line.

“We couldn’t be more excited about this project,” said Bradenton mayor Wayne Poston. “It fits right into what we’re trying to do.”