The Fusion Project, funded by Arconic Foundation, enabled Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh to introduce a new medium for art and making: metalworking. Metalworking’s tools, techniques, risk, and expense often lead to limited access for youth. Yet metal is an integral part of Pittsburgh’s history that continues to shape the built environment of our city. When Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh opened its new MuseumLab building for older youth, Arconic Foundation became a key partner in elevating metalworking as a cornerstone of the new building’s programming. 

The Fusion Project began with a commitment to welcoming every fifth-grade student on a metalworking field trip to the Museum. Over the years of the project, the Museum added a broad range of programming including workshops, camps, artist residencies, youth art shows, festivals, professional development, and more. The grant also allowed the Museum to invest in new tools and equipment for the makerspace; staff capacity-building, and partnerships around the city. 

The Learning & Research team conducted a multi-year evaluation of the Fusion Project. This included ongoing formative assessment throughout the project as well as a culminating storytelling effort that deeply illustrated the many program impacts. The report below weaves together data and case studies to tell the rich story of the Fusion Project.