The Children’s Museum of Greater Fall River is transitioning this month as current executive director Jo-Anne Sbrega retires and new executive director Katelyn Mushipi takes over.
Mrs. Sbrega first joined the board of the museum in 2005 and became its executive director in 2012. In the early days, the museum did not have a home and held a series of pop-up events. That all changed in 2012 when it worked with Bristol County in securing use of the former Bristol County Superior Court House on North Main Street.
The museum has grown to now encompass 13 exhibits on two floors of the former courthouse. Mrs. Sbrega credits the support of local corporate and individual donors, along with those in the educational community, for the museum’s success. She also says that by the community embracing the mission of the museum, it was able to secure federal COVID aid to survive through the pandemic.
Ms. Mushipi has been working at the museum since the beginning of the month and has been impressed by the work of the staff and the solid foundation set by Mrs. Sbrega.
Ms. Mushipi brings early childhood educational experience through her work in the Peace Corps overseas. She sees her new role in the short term to ensure the museum remains financially sustainable and grows based on the needs of the community.
Mrs. Sbrega’s last day is April 1st and she looks forward to spending more time with her husband, former Bristol Community College President John Sbrega, their children and grandchildren. She also plans to serve in the role of consultant helping Ms. Mushipi get acquainted with the SouthCoast. She feels the future of the museum is strong as long as the community continues to support it.
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