Lakeland, FL (November 11, 2017) Earlier this year, Georgann Carlton, long time CEO of Explorations V Children’s Museum, announced her retirement to the Board of Directors and staff. The Board formed a search committee and announced in October that they selected Kerry Falwell to replace Carlton who will retire by December 15.
Kerry Falwell is coming to Explorations V from Glazer Children’s Museum in Tampa where she held several positions throughout her tenure and was most recently Director of Education and Community Partnerships for the last five years. It was at the Tampa children’s museum where Falwell’s work was awarded an inaugural Diversity and Inclusion Award by the State of Florida for initiatives that brought children’s museums and libraries together to strengthen access to learning environments. Falwell has worked for several years with faculty at University of Tampa to conduct extensive research around long-term learning retention in children museums. She holds a MA in Arts Administration from Florida StateUniversity and a Graduate Certificate in Infant Family Mental Health from University of South Florida St Petersburg.
“Georgann and her team built a great foundation and have done tremendous work. I’m excited to bring what I know about world class learning environments to Lakeland and continue the Museum’s exceptional reputation as a place of learning, gathering, and growing,” said Falwell.
The museum staff and families have welcomed Kerry with open arms and are excited for the Museum’s future. Kerry has teamed up with Layla Cribb, the new Director of Education and Operations at the Museum, and Eddie Kleissler, Director of Exhibits and Facilities, to get the Museum ready for the new year. Their first major project together will be a new First Responders gallery on the Museum’s main level.
“Kerry is amazing. We are really excited to have her on our team,” said Layla. “Though it will be sad to see Georgann go, the future is bright for Explorations V Children’s Museum!”
Explorations V Children’s Museum, a private 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is located in downtownLakeland in the historic S.H. Kress Building. Four floors of mind stretching, kid-powered exhibits and programs provide a hands-on, fun-filled adventure in learning for children and their families. Hours are Monday – Saturday, 9am to 5:30pm. Admission is $9 per person and family memberships are $90. Active military and their family, Senior citizens 65+ and teachers with ID are $4.50. Access/EBT card holders are $3 per person. Children under two are free. Members of Explorations V Children’s Museum are also free.