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Professional Development & Workshops

Throughout the year, the GRPM hosts several professional development and workshop opportunities for educators. Topics range from incorporating a Museum Mindset into the classroom to how to weave local histories into your teaching. 

Anishinaabek: The Original People of this Place Exhibit Educator Night

Visit the Grand Rapids Public Museum after hours for an exclusive event for educators connected to the newly redesigned exhibit Anishinaabek: The Original People of This Place. Join other educators to learn how to incorporate Anishinaabek into your curricular goals or field trip schedule this school year. 

Attendees will receive supplementary materials–including activity guides and books–and GRPM staff will be on hand to offer advice on maximizing the field trip experience. Anishinaabe Curator, Katrina Furman, will give a presentation designed specifically with educators in mind.

There will also be a raffle entry for a free field trip, valued up to $500!

People in a digital rendering of the future exhibit. One sits on large stones in the center of the space speaking to a child. Another looks at a plaque. Trees and grasses line the edges.

Key Details:

  • Date: Wednesday, October 7, 2026 | 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
  • Location: Grand Rapids Public Museum, 272 Pearl St. NW. 
  • This event is designed for educators and free with registration

What to expect:

  • Take in the newly redesigned exhibit, Anishinaabek: The Original People of This Place, and educational resources, open house-style.  
  • Explore hands-on primary source connections and classroom resources
  • Recieve giveaway items, enter a field trip raffle, and enjoy complimentary refreshments. 
  • At 6:30 PM, GRPM Anishinaabe Curator, Katrina Furman, will give a presentation about the exhibit redesign process, including a Q&A.
Register Now

Exhibit opens October 12, 2026, included with general admission.

Custom Professional Development Events

Want to learn more about educational strategies, tools, and resources tailored to your needs with Museum educators? Contact Director of Education Erin Koren at ekoren@grpm.org to discover what custom professional learning we can bring to your organization.

Sponsored By:

Ambassador

Michigan Arts and Culture Coouncil Logo

Patron

Michigan State University Federal Credit Union logo

GRPM Closing at 1 p.m. on May 21

The Grand Rapids Public Museum will be closing at 1 p.m. on Thursday, May 21, for Collections & Cocktails:
Currents that Connect, an elevated spring fundraiser supporting the Museum’s Collections.

The Carousel will be temporarily closed.

During routine mechanical checks, staff noticed an issue with the Spillman Carousel’s 98-year-old custom gearbox. Our team is hopeful for a timely fix and is actively working to locate this unique part. We anticipate it to remain closed into next week, and will reopen the Carousel as soon as possible.

We understand that our guests have been looking forward to riding the Carousel again, and are also sad to share this news. Our top priorities are guest safety and preservation of this nearly 100-year-old artifact. We will keep you updated as we work to repair this community treasure.

The Museum will be open for regular hours.

The Carousel is Closed Today, March 20

Due to a mechanical issue, the 1928 Spillman Carousel is closed today Friday, March, 20. 

We apologize for any inconvenience, and are hard at work making a repair to this century-old artifact. We will let you know when the Carousel is back up and spinning again!

The GRPM is CLOSED today.

The Grand Rapids Public Museum is closed today, January 27, due to weather conditions. 

This evening’s invite-only event by the Helen Devos Children’s Hospital will be taking place as scheduled from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Drive safe, and stay warm! We’ll see you soon!

GRPM Opens at 12 p.m. on May 9

The Museum will open at 12 p.m. on Saturday, May 9, to accommodate the Amway Riverbank Run route. 

Have a great race, runners!

Early Closure on Friday, Jan. 16

The Grand Rapids Public Museum will be closing early at
1 p.m. on Friday, January 16, for the 2026 Grand Rapids Wedding Affair. 
 
We will resume normal hours on Saturday, January 17.

The GRPM is NOW OPEN

âš¡ Electricity is back in the building! âš¡
 

The GRPM is open for guests today, July 28. While the Museum is open, the cafe will be closed.

We hope to see you here. Stay cool in the heat today, Grand Rapids!

An exhibit with the label ELECTRICITY in pink lights

Museum Parking Ramp Closed Saturday, July 26

The Museum Parking Ramp will be unavailable for use this Saturday due to the Pleasant Peninsula Mural Festival taking place on Front Avenue. They will be painting 21 new beautiful murals to brighten up Downtown Grand Rapids.

Alternative FREE parking will still be available in the GVSU Mt. Vernon lot at 50 Front Ave SW. See the map below for directions on how to access the Mt. Vernon lot.

See Map

U.S. Service Members and Families Free This Weekend!

This weekend, the GRPM extends free admission to all U.S. service members—active or retired—and their families.
 
See our new Veterans display, in partnership with the Michigan Heroes Museum, honoring West Michiganders who served the United States during World War II.
 

This offer includes those serving in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, National Guard, Reserves, U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, and NOAA Commissioned Corps, along with up to five family members.

Ask our front desk upon arrival to redeem.

Early Closure Notice

The GRPM will be closing early at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, May 14th, for Cabinet of Curiosities: Grand Slam!

This elevated spring fundraiser explores America’s favorite pastime through Grand Rapids history and celebrates the GRPM’s new exhibit, Play Ball! The World’s Largest Collection of Detroit Tigers Autographed Baseballs.

Get Tickets

Planetarium & Cafe Closure Notice

The Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium and the Museum Cafe will be closed from September 2nd – 5th.

Upcoming
Planetarium Closure Notice

The Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium will be closed June 8 through June 15 for the most significant systems upgrade made to our Planetarium in 10 years!

Come back after June 15 to see crisper, cleaner, and more vibrant visuals, and a system capable of showcasing parts of the universe we weren’t able to display before!

Closure Notice

The GRPM will be closed for Easter on Sunday, April 20. We will reopen on Monday, April 21 for normal hours. 

Extended! Become A GRPM Member, Earn $20 in Museum Promo Cash

Get $20 in Museum Promo Cash with the purchase of any membership now through Friday, December 6!

This promo cash can be used towards admission to the Museum, Planetarium tickets, unique local gifts at the Curiosity Shop, and food and beverages at the Museum Cafe.

Become a Member Today!

Museum Promo Cash expires June 30, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. Any unused balance will be forfeited after this date. This card is for promotional purposes only and is not redeemable for cash or Museum credit.

Become A GRPM Member, Earn $20 in Museum Promo Cash!

Get $20 in Museum Promo Cash with the purchase of any membership now through Tuesday, December 3! 

This promo cash can be used towards admission to the Museum, Planetarium tickets, unique local gifts at the Curiosity Shop, and food and beverages at the Museum Cafe.

Become a Member Today!

Museum Promo Cash expires June 30, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. Any unused balance will be forfeited after this date. This card is for promotional purposes only and is not redeemable for cash or Museum credit.

Closure Notice

The GRPM will be closed on Thursday, September 12, 2024 for an event. We will re-open on Friday, September 13, 2024 at 9 a.m. 

Late Opening Notice.

On Saturday, May 11, the Museum will open at 12 p.m. due to road closures for the Amway River Bank Run.

Early Closure Notice.

The Museum will close at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, May 1 for Museum Adventure After Dark. Tickets are still available!