Vision, Mission, and Core Values
Art Credit: Illustration by Edelle Art
Core Values
FUN
We believe that fun is the foundation of meaningful engagement, sparking curiosity and a lifelong love of exploration in our young visitors. At the heart of the FLIP Museum, we prioritize a child-centered approach, ensuring that every experience is imbued with joy and wonder. We believe that every child, regardless of ability or learning style, should have access to the joy and learning that comes from play. Our mobile exhibits are designed to be universally accessible, ensuring that children with different abilities can engage fully. This commitment to accessibility reflects our dedication to inclusivity and the belief that diversity enriches the learning experience for all.
LEARNING
We are committed to fostering a growth mindset in both our team and our visitors. Our exhibits and programs are designed to cultivate humility and empathy, encouraging children to understand and appreciate diverse perspectives. By nurturing empathy, we help build a more compassionate understanding future generation. We actively seek to address systemic racism and are unafraid to engage in difficult conversations surrounding social justice issues. We strive to create an environment that reflects and respects the diverse communities we serve. Our programs and exhibits are developed with a deep commitment to equity, ensuring that every child sees themselves represented and valued in our spaces.
INSPIRATION
Our goal is to inspire our visitors to think differently, imagine freely, and see themselves as agents of change in their own lives and communities. Community-empowerment is key to our mission. We strive to be bold and forward-thinking, constantly pushing the boundaries of what a children’s museum can offer. We are also committed to minimizing our environmental impact and being responsible stewards of the land. Through thoughtful exhibits and educational programs, we aim to instill a sense of environmental responsibility in children, nurturing the next generation of eco-conscious citizens.
PLAY
At the FLIP Museum, we embrace play as a fundamental element of childhood. It is a vital tool for emotional and psychological healing, offering children a natural way to express their feelings, process experiences, and navigate the complexities of the world around them. It helps children to develop resilience, cope with stress, and overcome challenges. Through play, children can explore their emotions in a safe and supportive environment, which is crucial for their social and emotional well-being. Moreover, the communal aspect of play at our museum encourages social healingfor families*. It brings children from diverse backgrounds together, fostering empathy, understanding, and mutual respect. In this shared space of play, barriers break down, friendships are formed, and children learn to appreciate and celebrate their differences.
*In our community, families are diverse and unique. They can include single parents, blended families, same-sex parents, foster parents, grandparents raising grandchildren, chosen families among friends, and other structures that provide a nurturing and supportive environment.
Mission
The FLIP Museum builds multicultural children’s museums that bring children, families, and caregivers together to learn and connect through play.
Vision
The Portland Metropolitan area will have strong communities where all children are inspired to explore, trust their abilities, and realize their potential.