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Early support for the expansion came from Mosaic
and The Mosaic Company Foundation, which not
only encouraged the Museum’s Board to “think big”
in terms of planning new programs and spaces to
serve the educational needs of young children and
with a $1.3 million grant.
“When the Museum approached us with
the opportunity to support their fundraising
contribution—and we encouraged the museum not
to think just big, but bigger,” said Ben Pratt, Vice
Director, The Mosaic Company Foundation.
“The Museum has been a cornerstone of the
Manatee County community for generations. The
new Mosaic Backyard Universe is an amazing
space designed to ignite children’s imaginations
and spark a love for the natural world.”
“It is with great excitement that the School District
of Manatee County anticipates the opening of the
Mosaic Backyard Universe, a developmentally
appropriate learning space where early learners
can imagine, play, make, and share as they interact
with interesting materials and possibilities,” said
Dr. Robin Thompson, Director of Early Learning
Curriculum at the School District.
“The School District of Manatee County has
enjoyed a long partnership with The Bishop and
looks forward to continuing to partner to make
learning relevant in students’ lives.”
The Mosaic Backyard Universe at The Bishop brings
a new world of fun, interactive exploration to the
region’s young learners and the young-at-heart, who
feel the joy of discovery in lifelong learning.