Cleveland, OH – December 19, 2024 – The Cleveland Museum of Natural History is delighted to announce the continuation and expansion of its popular Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Community Days program for an additional four years, made possible by a generous investment from the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Supporting Foundation. Building on the remarkable success of the past three years, this program will now provide even greater opportunities for residents to explore the Museum free of charge.
Enhanced Community Access
Beginning January 25, 2025, Mandel Community Days will expand to welcome residents from even more local communities. In addition to Cleveland and East Cleveland, residents of Brooklyn, Euclid, Garfield Heights, Maple Heights, and Warrensville Heights will now enjoy free admission on weekends. The program is also growing from Sunday only to include Saturdays, making the Museum even more accessible to local families and individuals across the region.
“We are deeply grateful for the ongoing partnership with the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Supporting Foundation,” says Sonia Winner, President & CEO. “The expansion of Mandel Community Days will make it possible for even more local families and individuals to access the educational and cultural resources the Museum has to offer. We look forward to welcoming these new visitors and providing them with an enriching and memorable experience.”
The program is also introducing the support of two community educators, whose work will strengthen the Museum's outreach and engagement efforts. While the details of this initiative are still being finalized, the addition of community educators underscores the Museum’s ongoing commitment to serving and connecting with the community.
“The mission and values of the Mandel Foundation align with the Museum’s goal of ensuring that the entire community has access to, and is enriched by, the Museum’s reimagined exhibits and innovative programs,” says Jehuda Reinharz, President and CEO of the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation. “The Foundation is proud to support an initiative that brings outstanding educational resources to even more people in our region.”
Transforming the Visitor Experience
On December 15, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History debuted a groundbreaking, new museum experience. With the completion of its transformation, the 375,000-square-foot campus now offers an immersive journey that places the visitor at the center of the experience, highlighting the relevance of science and nature to our everyday lives, and encouraging action toward a healthier planet. Partnering with renowned experience design firm G&A, the Museum introduces dynamic exhibits that emphasize the relevance of science and nature to our daily lives. Additionally, the Museum's architectural partner, DLR Group, has designed a building that reflects its unwavering commitment to sustainability—earning the prestigious distinction of being the first U.S. museum to achieve LEEDv4 BD+C NC Platinum certification.
Key Features of the Transformation
The Museum is moving away from traditional, static exhibits organized by discipline and timeline. Instead, new galleries will use an inquiry-based approach to present a unified story of life on Earth, asking visitors questions, and encouraging them to ask their own. Central to this transformation are four dynamic new spaces:
Mandel Community Days are made possible through the generous support of the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Supporting Foundation. Their dedication to strengthening the community and making the Museum's resources accessible to all is inspiring, and the Museum is proud to continue its mission of providing a world-class educational experience to residents from all walks of life. With these updates, the Mandel Community Days program takes a significant step forward in its goal of making science and nature accessible to everyone in our region.
For more information about Mandel Community Days, please visit www.cmnh.org or call 216.231.4600.
About the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundations:
Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel established their first foundation in 1953 in their hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. Their philanthropic legacy is continued through the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation and the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Supporting Foundation. The work of the Foundations is grounded in the belief that exceptional leaders, inspired by powerful ideas, are key to improving society and the lives of people around the world. The Foundations have identified five areas of engagement that receive support, which include: leadership development, management of nonprofits, humanities, Jewish life, and urban engagement. For more information, please visit mandelfoundation.org.
About the Cleveland Museum of Natural History
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History illuminates the world around us and inspires visitors to engage with the natural forces that shape their lives. Since its founding in 1920, the Museum has pioneered scientific research to advance knowledge across diverse fields of study and used its outstanding collections, which encompass millions of artifacts and specimens, to deepen the public’s understanding of the dynamic connections between humans and nature. Through its Natural Areas Program, the Museum stewards more than 12,500 acres of protected ecosystems across northern Ohio. A community gathering place, educational center, and research institution, the Museum is a vital resource that serves Cleveland and the nation. For more information, visit CMNH.org.
Media Contacts:
Samantha Guenther
External Communications Manager, Marketing & Communications
Cleveland Museum of Natural History
Office: 216.231.4600 x3432
Mobile: 440.429.2902
sguenther@cmnh.org
Sandra Stafford, SPQR Inc.
216.509.3973
sandra0428@hotmail.com
