Posted by Bobby Larson on Jun 12, 2026

Children’s Museum Tucson is celebrating its 40th Anniversary!  The children’s museum has been a cornerstone of childhood in Tucson for generations of families and is growing to meet the demand.  Expansion plans for the downtown location include renovation of the existing Museum to expand and update exhibit experiences, adding more opportunities for play, inside and out.  With a new planned entrance and the museum’s recently opened Angel Charity for Children Education Center,  the museum will have space for a café, gift shop and outdoor science park.  Courtyard exhibits are a top priority, with the installation of a dedicated Fountains of Fun exhibit for families to enjoy water play.  Learn more about the museum’s plans for growth at our downtown location from Executive Director Hilary Van Alsburg. 

Biography

Hilary Van Alsburg serves as the Executive Director at Children’s Museum Tucson|Oro Valley, where interactive accessible learning is the core mission. She holds a Juris Doctorate degree from University of Arizona College of Law and a BA in Sociology from Northern Arizona University, as well as having earned state certification as a K-12 educator. Hilary serves on the board of directors of the Association of Children’s Museums, Visit Tucson, and Downtown Tucson Partnership. Hilary served as a fellow with the Public Voices OpEd Project and was honored as the Association of Fundraising Professionals Fundraising Executive of the Year for Southern Arizona. A native Arizonan, Hilary is active in community organizations focused on education, having served on committees including the United Way of Southern Arizona’s First Focus on Kids and the Institute of Museum and Library Services Information Literacy Initiative. In her role as Executive Director at the Children’s Museum, she is leading the organization through a period of growth with a $15 million expansion to allow the Museum to continue serving as a trusted educational resource for future generations.

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