The Cayton Children’s Museum is in the search for a new Chief Executive Officer to refine the museum’s brand and strategy; shape content-rich play-based education; grow museum attendance and community engagement; and provide regularly refreshed programs for Santa Monica and Los Angeles-area families.

The Cayton Children’s Museum activates the power of play to help children 0 to 8 years learn, socialize and have family fun! Play is the cornerstone of the museum’s approach to education. Specially tailored programs are shaped for kids and their families, some of whom have limited access to safe, creative, active, purposeful and enriching play. Collaborations with schools, other nonprofits and outside experts ensure that different communities and families can enjoy and help shape Cayton programs for their children.

Previously located on Museum Row in Los Angeles as the Zimmer Children’s Museum, a $15 million capital campaign tripled the square footage of the museum and funded its relocation to Santa Monica just blocks from the Pacific Ocean. This move resulted in upgrades to its facilities, programs and exhibits, and its renaming to the Cayton Children’s Museum. The completely new museum opened in 2019 just months before the pandemic and offers 21,000 square feet of discovery-based exhibits, immersive play, art studios, a theatre, adaptable community spaces, and a robust calendar of activities including public programs, festivals, camps, classes, workshops and more. The museum will continue to advance the original mission of strengthening social-emotional, cognitive and behavioral development, and fosters universal understanding and cross-cultural engagement. The Cayton Children’s Museum’s vision is to have a rainbow of families from different walks of life come together to play, learn, celebrate, socialize and share joy.

The Cayton has 40 full-time and part-time staff; is governed by an 18-member Board; has annual operating budget of $6 million with approximately 50% funded through earned revenue (ticket sales, membership, events, camps) and 50% through contributed revenue; and benefits from strong fiscal management and controls and has no debt.

Along with the Board and staff, the CEO will develop bold strategies that: increase the Cayton’s visibility in the community; deliver interesting, thoughtful, and fun education programs in the museum and through off-site offerings; develop new sources of philanthropic and earned revenue; and forge productive partnerships. The complete position description can be found here.

We appreciate your sharing this announcement with your network, and your support of the Cayton Children’s Museum.

For additional information or to apply, please contact Lisa Grossman, Oscar Quiros or Steven Oppenheim at info[at]moppenheim[dot]com.