Frequently Asked Questions about COSI Toledo

When COSI Toledo opened its doors on March 1, 1997, it represented a new day for downtown Toledo. Armed with strong support and leadership from its flagship museum, COSI Columbus, COSI Toledo came to the riverfront to help revitalize the city's downtown and turn the former Portside Festival Marketplace from a symbol of community failure into a signature attraction, which would draw visitors from throughout the region.

These were high expectations for the science center, yet COSI Toledo tackled all of them. On average, 250,000 people annually visit what has become an anchor attraction of downtown Toledo, approximately 100,000 of them being school children in grades 3-6. COSI Toledo has brought high-profile exhibits like "A T-Rex Named Sue", "Grossology", and "Suessentennial" to the region. Our visitors love COSI - 99% of them saying that they would recommend COSI Toledo to a friend.

Although COSI has operated efficiently to deliver educational programming, there has been a fiscal deficit every year since opening. These losses are not a result of the museum's failure to attract visitors or to operate in a fiscally prudent manner, these losses are directly attributable to the funding model selected for COSI Toledo upon its inception in 1997.

What is COSI Toledo's attendance?

Since COSI Toledo opened in 1997, we've welcomed nearly 3 million visitors through our doors. As with any new endeavor, our admissions were incredibly high at the beginning and have declined throughout our tenure. Still, admissions are just one part of the puzzle.

What does COSI mean?

Center of Science and Industry.

What is your affiliation with COSI Columbus?

COSI Columbus helped design and implement this facility. As of April 2006, COSI Toledo and COSI Columbus separated to operate as two independent science centers. We now function with separate boards, finances, programs and team members. However, we do use each other as educational resources.

What new exhibits has COSI Toledo added?

Since 2005, COSI Toledo has added the following exhibits to its already vast array of offerings: The BOYO, Hubble's Vision, an infrared thermal camera, a lariat chain, a radar magnet, a giant pin screen, a laser harp, a sand turntable, a walk-on-bridge, a walk-over-arch bridge, a spinning turntable, an energy vs. power exhibit, falling magnets exhibit, floating in copper exhibit, magnetic clouds, a jumping ring and the robotic arm. In the BUBBLES exhibit alone, there are 6 exhibits: Stand in a Bubble, The Bubble Wall, Giant Bubbles, Viscosity Tubes, Floating Bubbles and Bubble Shapes. In addition, we've added nearly 7,000 sq. ft. of one-on-one interactive experiences in our Science Cafe and Extreme Science Theater. We've also added a STARLAB, COSI's portable planetarium, which we take out to schools as part of our Workshop on Wheels program. None of these exhibits would have been possible without funding from the Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission.

What have you done to drive attendance to COSI Toledo?

Over the years COSI Toledo has brought in traveling exhibits including A T-Rex Named Sue, Grossology and Dinosaurs of the Deep. Annually, COSI has hosted the Science of Big Machines, Sandsational Spring Break and Spooky Science, which consistently bring visitors to COSI and downtown Toledo. The Science of Big Machines alone brings in over 8,000 visitors to COSI and Festival Park the week of Father's Day. Additionally, we've hosted other special events that are fun for the entire family like: Engineering Week, COSI's Extreme Soda Fountain, The Ultimate K'NEX Roller Coaster, Super Ball Sunday, Toy Factory, Little Scientists Week, The Science of Harry Potter, Good Vibrations and Chemistry Week. Organizations and corporations throughout the region have also hosted their own private events at COSI Toledo for holiday parties and employee appreciation days. Even more, private events have taken place at COSI Toledo like wedding receptions, baby showers and birthday parties for kids of all ages.

Has COSI Toledo received any awards?

In 2005, COSI Toledo received the Institute of Museum and Library Services national award for Community Service, the country's highest honor for extraordinary community service provided by a museum. This award was presented to representatives of COSI Toledo at the White House by First Lady, Laura Bush. COSI Toledo's Distance Learning program was awarded Favorite Content Provider, by New Links to New Learning, in recognition of Valuable Contributions made to St. Louis classrooms through videoconferencing. Additionally, our Distance Learning program received the Berrien County Intermediate School District Teacher's Choice Awards for Best Content Provider and Best Science Museum & Organization.

Fiscal Prudence

COSI Toledo was designed to be self-sufficient based essentially on three revenue streams; admissions, memberships and grants/sponsorships. This has proven to be an unorthodox funding model for a science center. Over 90% of the science centers and children's museums in the United States receive some kind of public funding.

COSI Toledo's experience shows why this funding model is unusual. Approximately 70% of its revenue comes from admissions. As a result even the slightest interference in the funding stream, terrorist attacks, recession, or cuts in school field trips, will cause a budget deficit. Unfortunately, COSI Toledo has experienced all of these adverse financial impacts since its inception.

In fact, when using national benchmarks, COSI Toledo is one of the most successful science centers in the country for a community of this size. The number of visitors to COSI Toledo is nearly 10% higher than the national average. COSI Toledo has nearly 4,000 members, which is more than the national average for similar museums and science centers. In terms of operating costs, COSI Toledo's building costs nearly $50 per square foot, which is less than the national average, and COSI Toledo's operating expenses are lower than its counterparts in other cities.

Our Board of Directors has worked hard to respond to COSI Toledo's financial challenges in a fiscally prudent and responsible manner. Staff costs have been cut by over 50%. Overall expenses have been cut by $1.2 million for this fiscal year and programs that failed to net revenue have been cut, including summer camps, some types of school visits and community programs.

What cost saving measures has COSI Toledo taken?

We have reduced our workforce by more than 50% since 2005. We've reduced our annual budget by $1.2 million for this fiscal year, and we've gotten in line with other science centers and museums around the nation, that close on Mondays, traditionally the least attended day of the week, in order to reduce operational costs.

Why do you charge less than the operational cost per visitor per admission?

Our admission prices were set to be competitive with other local attractions and in line with what the community will bear without risking a significant drop in attendance. Our admission prices and membership costs have been adjusted throughout the 10 years in accordance with the market and even recently underwent an increase to remain consistent with the local economy.

Is COSI Toledo funded by the city or state?

COSI Toledo is a privately funded, not-for-profit, 501c(3) organization. COSI Toledo currently receives zero public operating support.

What happens to everything inside the building once COSI Toledo closes?

The Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission (OCFC) will direct COSI Toledo with the disposition of all property.

Educational Programs

COSI Toledo is most commonly known for its amazing hands-on science exhibits and inspiring demonstrations, but what makes us truly priceless is our ability to educate through fun! With a defined focus on STEM areas of study (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), our outstanding cross-curricular experiences afford teachers of all subjects the opportunity to utilize COSI as an educational resource, with lessons, activities, professional development, materials, field trips or outreach to their own classroom.

What educational programming does COSI Toledo offer?

COSI Toledo offers a wide range of educational programming including on-site science demonstrations, award winning Distance Learning Programs, Workshops on Wheels Outreach Program, Science Festival Outreach Programs, Overnight Science Explorations (Camp-In), Teacher Professional Development, Field Trips and Scout programs. All of COSI Toledo's educational programs are aligned to Ohio Academic Content Standards and the Michigan Curriculum Framework. This means that COSI Toledo helps teachers meet the educational goals set by their state by providing inquiry based science and math explorations to improve Science, Technology, Engineering and Math education.

General Questions

What other improvements have been made to the city owned facility?

COSI Toledo is responsible for all utilities and maintenance of the facility. In addition to general repairs and maintenance done to the facility, just since 2005, we've made extensive and much needed repairs to the structure and walking surface of the balcony facing the riverfront, we've replaced the flooring in the Atomic Cafe and the Lower Atrium and replaced the exterior doors, to name just a few of the improvements. With the assistance of the City of Toledo, additional repairs were made, such as painting the outside of the building.

How many members does COSI Toledo have?

COSI Toledo currently has over 4,000 active memberships. Memberships include unlimited admission to COSI Toledo for one year, reciprocal admission to more than 300 science centers worldwide, FREE Simulator Theater tokens, Special Members-Only Events and FREE admission for members to school field trips.

Will membership dues be reimbursed upon closing of the museum?

We lack sufficient funds to reimburse memberships, but fortunately COSI Toledo memberships are reciprocal to over 300 science centers nationwide through December 2008. A full list of reciprocal science centers can be found on the ASTC (Association of Science and Technology Centers) website.

What does COSI Toledo charge for admission?

Adults are $9.00, Seniors (65+) are $8.00 and Kids (3-12) are $7.00; Members are FREE.

What is the cost for a school group to visit COSI Toledo?

The cost per student depends upon their state of residency. Ohio residents pay $5.00 per student, whereas Michigan residents pay $5.75 per student. We also adjust our prices in order to drive attendance during off-season months.

What sort of funding has COSI Toledo received from the State of Ohio?

When COSI Toledo opened in 1997, we received $13 million for capital improvements from the State of Ohio's Cultural Facilities Commission for renovations to the former Portside Festival Marketplace, as well as for the purchase of exhibits. In 2005, COSI Toledo received $1.9 million for additional capital improvements. COSI has used $900,000 of the available funds at this time. The remaining funds have been frozen by the state of Ohio pending a stable funding plan.

Is COSI Toledo in debt to the State of Ohio for the bonds issued?

No. The funds were earmarked specifically for COSI Toledo for renovations, exhibits and capital improvements. When COSI Toledo closes, the State of Ohio will take possession of all assets within the facility. The Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission (OCFC) will direct COSI Toledo with the disposition of all property.

When will COSI Toledo close its doors to the public?

COSI Toledo's final day of operation will be Monday, December 31, 2007, unless an additional funding source becomes available in the immediate future.