Ocala’s Discovery Center is requesting $154,000 to rent three more traveling exhibits from other museums, saying the transition from creating exhibits in-house to renting has resulted in a 25% increase in daily attendance at the center.
The request is part of the consent agenda that will be voted on during the Ocala City Council’s regular meeting on Tuesday, August 20. Consent agenda items are considered routine and are enacted by one roll call vote.
According to a report prepared by Ocala Recreations and Parks staff, the Discovery Center originally transitioned from creating in-house exhibits to renting professional educational traveling exhibits in January 2024.
The move was made in part to provide “unique interpretive displays and content that in-house staff” was unable to create themselves.
According to staff, the intent for transitioning to professional traveling exhibits was to provide a better educational experience for patrons of the center.
Records show that the center is seeking to rent Bug Squad ($47,000) and Forever Forest ($52,000) from the Omaha Children’s Museum, and Alma’s Way ($55,000) from the St. Louis Children’s Museum.
Bug Squad would be scheduled for Summer 2025 (May 24, 2025 – August 30, 2025), Forever Forest would be scheduled for Winter 2026 (January 10, 2026 – May 9, 2026), and Alma’s Way would be scheduled for Fall 2025 (September 13, 2025 – January 4, 2026).
According to city staff, traveling exhibits are typically contracted one to two years in advance so that the licensor has time to schedule transportation and installations with educational organizations.
If approved, all rental and shipping costs will be budgeted in the Recreation and Parks Department’s budget, according to records.
According to the city, approximately 18,000 people visit the Discovery Center each year. Since the transition to traveling exhibits, daily attendance has increased approximately 25% at the facility. The city says it is “on target to reach over 21,000” patrons this year.
According to its website, the organization currently charges approximately $8 for anyone three years of age and older. Seniors, veterans, and infants that are two years old and younger may enter the center for free.
Last year, the Discovery Center announced a new partnership with Museums for All, a program that allows those receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits to gain free or reduced admission to over 1,000 museums throughout the United States.
The Ocala City Council regularly meets on the first and third Tuesday of the month at 4 p.m. at Ocala City Hall. (110 SE Watula Avenue)
