Facility to be a transformational regional destination for children and families
The North Iowa Children’s Museum (NICM) is proud to announce the official site of its future permanent home in Clear Lake, Iowa, marking a major milestone in the Museum’s mission to become a transformational regional destination for children and families across North Iowa.
The selected site, located at 2405 15th Ave N in Clear Lake, in the Fieldstone neighborhood behind Culver’s, offers exceptional visibility from the interstate, convenient access for families, proximity to dining and retail amenities, and ample space for future expansion, making it an ideal long-term home for the Museum.
After years of visioning, community engagement, and momentum-building through mobile exhibits and pop-up learning experiences, NICM is poised to bring a permanent, world-class children’s museum to life, one rooted in hands-on discovery, play-based learning, and imagination without limits.
Since 2022, NICM has reached more than 25,000 children and families throughout North Iowa, demonstrating both strong demand and widespread enthusiasm for a children’s museum in the region. That excitement is reinforced by data: a 2024 feasibility study conducted by ConsultEcon projects a stabilized annual attendance of approximately 53,000 visitors, positioning NICM as a powerful new cultural and educational anchor for the area.
Clear Lake’s strong tourism profile further strengthens the Museum’s potential impact. With nearly 1 million non-resident visitors in 2023, the community provides an ideal setting for NICM to serve both local families and visiting households – enhancing year-round economic activity in a destination community with limited indoor, child-focused attractions.
The Museum’s reach will extend far beyond Clear Lake. NICM’s Resident Market Area includes more than 205,800 residents within a 60-minute drive, including an estimated 32,000 children ages 0-12, the Museum’s core audience. In addition to families and caregivers, NICM will serve as a valuable educational resource for schools, homeschool networks, early childhood providers, and youth organizations throughout the region.
NICM is also proud to recognize Pritchard Companies as an early supporter of the project. Through this partnership, the Museum plans to introduce an automotive-themed exhibit, featuring a hands-on mechanic shop or vehicle-based experience designed to spark curiosity, problem-solving, and early STEM learning through imaginative play. The exhibit will celebrate real-world careers and introduce children to the mechanics, engineering, and innovation behind the vehicles they encounter every day.
Financial sustainability is a cornerstone of the Museum’s vision. The feasibility study projects that 80.6% of NICM’s revenue will be generated through earned sources such as admissions, memberships, programs, rentals, and retail – totaling an estimated $778,000 in annual revenue in a stabilized year. This strong operating model, combined with broad regional alignment around early childhood education, workforce development, and tourism growth, positions NICM as a catalytic investment with lasting community impact.
“After four years of planning, persistence, and collaboration, we are beyond thrilled to finally secure a site and take this dream from an idea to a reality,” said Lorena Malecha, Board President of the North Iowa Children’s Museum. “The North Iowa Children’s Museum will be a vibrant space where imagination flourishes and learning begins through play.”
As the project moves into its next phase, NICM invites individuals, families, and businesses to help bring this vision to life through philanthropic support. Community investment will play a critical role in building exhibits, expanding educational access, and ensuring the Museum serves North Iowa for generations to come.
To learn more or get involved:
Media Contact:
- Lorena Malecha, lorena.malecha@northiowachildrensmuseum.com