No doubt about it, 2010 is a very big year for downtown Tampa. One that will feature the unprecedented debut of two museums, the new Tampa Museum of Art and the Glazer Children’s Museum. The double debut has even been recognized — and saluted — by USA Today, which recently touted Tampa among its top five “Destinations To Watch” in 2010.
Well, USA Today might want to update that museum shout-out about Tampa. This city also features one of the top five museums in the country. That would be the Museum of Science & Industry near USF. Early in the new year, MOSI will be feted by the Institute of Museum and Library Service in a formal ceremony in Washington. More than 17,500 museums were eligible for the prestigious honor: the National Medal for Museum and Library Service.
MOSI is the largest non-profit science center in the Southeast. Its calling, science learning, has never been more relevant. In a global economy that increasingly places a premium on science and innovation, MOSI is much more than an impressive amenity. Arguably, it’s a necessity – one that understands the value of community outreach. And it’s in our own backyard.
Well done, MOSI President Wit Ostrenko.