Press

New York, NY – October 30, 2014 – The Children’s Museum of Manhattan (CMOM) today announced the launch of its new traveling outreach program, CMOM’s 3-D Mosque Architecture Experience, which introduces children to the distinct architectural styles of mosques from different cultures around the world. The new immersive program, developed with think tank and fabrication lab Collab, will be presented weekly at the Museum and travel to more than 20 participating sites around the city, including New York Public Library, Brooklyn Library, Queens Library, Lincoln Center Atrium and Brooklyn Historical Society.

Funded in part by the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art, the MetLife Foundation and the National Endowment for the Humanities, and with additional support provided by Mohsin and Tasneem Meghi, CMOM’s 3-D Mosque Architecture Experience transports children to 12 mosques around the world. CMOM uses art, music, dance, storytelling and other art forms to present programs and exhibitions with cultural content ranging from American holidays to cultures around the world. This project uses architecture and the structural beauty of mosques to reveal the diversity of cultural expressions within Muslim communities.

Through CMOM’s 3-D Mosque Architecture Experience, children experience a giant pop-up book featuring digital projections of Muslim mosques from countries as diverse as Afghanistan, Germany, India, Saudi Arabia and Senegal. The interactive presentation uses 3-D mapping technology and scenic videos, accompanied by music and environmental sounds, to bring the mosques alive and explore the qualities that make each building special – focusing on color, materials, environment and shape.

Each program concludes with a creative hands-on activity exploring either arches or geometric patterns, in which children can express their individuality while gaining insight into Muslim architectural traditions from across the globe.

“We’re excited to bring this new and immersive experience to children all around New York City. “This outreach program continues our deep commitment to educating the next generation of global citizens,” noted Andrew Ackerman, CMOM executive director.

CMOM’s 3-D Mosque Architecture Experience is part of the Museum’s Cultural Exhibition and Programmatic Series. Research indicates that strengthening competencies like collaboration, curiosity and cultural empathy in young children helps them gain a better understanding of who they are and how they fit into the world around them. The development of multiple perspectives is likely to reduce problems involving prejudice and discrimination and is an important component of early childhood education.

CMOM is deeply committed to creating programs that support and prepare children – as early as possible – to succeed academically, socially, and economically in the 21st century.

CMOM’s 3D Mosque Architecture Experience Program Schedule

Programming started at the beginning of October. Confirmed schedule includes the dates
listed below, additional dates and locations being added:

2014  
NYPL: Morris Park Library Monday, November 3 3:30-4:30pm  All ages
NYPL: Ottendorfer Library Tuesday, November 4 4:00-5:00pm All ages
CMOM Saturday, November 8  10am-12pm  All ages
CMOM Sunday, November 9 10am-12pm  All ages
NYPL: Washington Heights Library Monday, November 10 4:00-5:00pm All ages
QL: Children’s Library Discovery Center Thursday, November 13 4:00-5:00pm All ages
NYPL: Chatham Square Library Friday, November 14 3:30-4:30pm  All ages
CMOM Saturday, November 15 10am-12pm  All ages
BPL: Crown Heights Library Tuesday, November 18 3:30-4:30pm All ages
QL: Children’s Library Discovery Center Thursday, November 20 4:00-5:00pm All ages
CMOM Saturday, November 22 10am-12pm  All ages
CMOM Sunday, November 23 10am-12pm  All ages
BPL: Fort Hamilton Library Monday, December 1 3:30-4:30pm All ages
QL: Corona Library Tuesday, December 2 4:00-5:00pm All ages
NYPL: Hunt’s Point Library Wednesday, December 3 4:00-5:00pm All ages
QL: Jackson Heights Library Friday, December 5 4:00-5:00pm All ages
Lincoln Center Atrium Saturday, December 6 10am-12pm  All ages
CMOM Sunday, December 7  10am-12pm  All ages
QL: Corona Library Tuesday, December 9 4:00-5:00pm All ages
NYPL: Van Cortlandt Library Wednesday, December 10 4:00-5:00pm All ages
QL: Jackson Heights Library Friday, December 12 4:00-5:00pm All ages
CMOM Saturday, December 13  10am-12pm  All ages
CMOM Sunday, December 14  10am-12pm  All ages
BPL: New Lots Library Monday, December 15 3:30-4:30pm All ages
NYPL: Jefferson Market Library Tuesday, December 16 3:30-4:30pm All ages
BPL: Bay Ridge Library Wednesday, December 17 3:00-4:00pm All ages

2015 
CMOM Saturday, January 3 10am-12pm  All ages
CMOM Sunday, January 4 10am-12pm  All ages
CMOM Saturday, January 10 10am-12pm  All ages
CMOM Sunday, January 11 10am-12pm  All ages
Brooklyn Historical Society Saturday, January 31 11am-12pm All ages
Brooklyn Historical Society Sunday, February 1 11am-12pm All ages
CMOM Saturday, February 7 10am-12pm  All ages
CMOM Sunday, February 8 10am-12pm  All ages
CMOM Saturday, March 7  10am-12pm  All ages
CMOM Sunday, March 8  10am-12pm  All ages
CMOM Saturday, March 28 10am-12pm  All ages
CMOM Sunday, March 29 10am-12pm  All ages
CMOM Saturday, April 18  10am-12pm  All ages
CMOM Sunday, April 19  10am-12pm  All ages
CMOM Saturday, May 9 10am-12pm  All ages
CMOM Saturday, May 16  10am-12pm  All ages
CMOM Sunday, May 17  10am-12pm  All ages
CMOM Saturday, May 23 10am-12pm  All ages
CMOM Sunday, May 24 10am-12pm  All ages
CMOM Saturday, May 30  10am-12pm  All ages
CMOM Sunday, May 31 10am-12pm  All ages
CMOM Saturday, June 27  10am-12pm  All ages
CMOM Sunday, June 28  10am-12pm  All ages
CMOM Saturday, July 18  10am-12pm  All ages
CMOM Sunday, July 19 10am-12pm  All ages

About Children’s Museum of Manhattan
The Children’s Museum of Manhattan (CMOM) is the vibrant home to 350,000 visitors a year from all segments of the NYC community and tourists from around the world. The museum’s educational mission in early childhood education, creativity, health and culture thrives within our home on 83Rd Street and in dozens of communities across the city as well as through national initiatives with leading authorities and government agencies. Child development is at the core of CMOM’s values and mission and our vision is to be the bridge that connects children and adults in the community, school and home in order to prepare our children for the global world in which they live. For details regarding all of CMOM’s programs and initiatives, please visit www.cmom.org