The Madison Children's Museum (MCM) in Wisconsin, US, has opened its new US$16.5m site.

The 41,570sq ft, five-storey museum was designed by Kubala Washatko Architects and was paid for by a combination of public and private funding - including a large donation from The Overture Foundation.

Boasting 26,000sq ft of exhibition space, exhibits and educational programs embrace six key themes: arts, culture, science, health, civic engagement and early learning.

MCM was founded in 1980 and began as a series of exhibits that travelled to community events, buildings and parks. The museum opened at 100 State Street in 1991.

MCM moved out of its rented facility on 4 January this year 2010 and used a Target-sponsored Road Show to bring exhibits and activities to kids in south-central Wisconsin before moving into its new home.