Meet Katie Gigliotti | Museum Professional

We had the good fortune of connecting with Katie Gigliotti and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Katie, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
As a mother to seven year-old twins and as the director of a mid-sized non-profit, I’ve learned that there is no perfect formula for work-life balance, but there are definitely strategies to make the division of energy more manageable. My mindset about work-life balance has definitely shifted over the years, both in the years following the pandemic and in accepting my current supervisory role. As a working mother, I think about the balance and how it impacts both myself and my employees. I’m cognizant that workplace culture largely attributes to work-life balance and I work to create a positive environment where people want to work, have the freedom to be flexible, can manage their own time, and set boundaries. As a children’s museum, our goal is to positively serve families and internally, that philosophy should be no different. Personally, I feel the balance is easier to maintain if you are passionate about the work that you do and I am in my role at the museum.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Kids ‘N’ Stuff (KNS) is a vibrant organization with a rich history. Dr. Rebecca Mitchell, former first lady of Albion College, founded KNS in 2002, and for over two decades, we’ve been dedicated to making a positive impact on our community. What started as an innovative idea, inspired by children’s museums across the country has grown into a place of play-based learning for young children, families, and caregivers, sparking creativity and wonder throughout our region.

We serve approximately 30,000 visitors annually through daily visits, field trips, and programs/events and the museum has welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors since opening its doors in 2002. Formerly a JC Penney’s department store, the large footprint of the original building has served us well over the years and is naturally set up for future expansion even after two decades. The theme for our largest fundraiser of the year (an auction), is Up, Up, and Away. The staff and board believe that the sky is the limit for this museum. As a staff of four, a lot goes into serving 30,000 visitors per year. I’m extremely proud of what we’ve collectively accomplished. We are small, but we are mighty!

Our organization also recently completed several upgrades and enhancements, including new exhibits, murals, and room renovations, we still have other major projects that will be completed by the end of 2024, including improvements to the facade, the development of a new music exhibit, and the installation of a new traveling exhibit opening in January 2025.

I started with the museum in 2022 and like so many other organizations, we were significantly impacted by the pandemic. It’s evident we wouldn’t be where we are today without the support and backing of our community, our funders, and our visitors. We’ve seen tangible growth in the past two years and we’re looking forward to even more in the years to come.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Located within Calhoun County and just a short drive from Jackson County, there’s no shortage of places to eat, stay, or visit in Albion, Marshall, Battle Creek, and Jackson.

The list is so extensive! Fortunately, there are dedicated organizations who’ve compiled activities based on interests and tastes.

For the most comprehensive list of offerings visit:

https://www.greateralbionchamber.org/

Marshall Chamber

https://www.battlecreekvisitors.org/things-to-do/
https://www.experiencejackson.com/

Some of my families most frequented spots include: Albion Malleable for dinner (the burgers)!, The Foundry Bakehouse and Deli for a breakfast sandwich, The Bohm Theater for a Friday night movie, and Schuler’s in Marshall (they even catered our wedding). There’s so much going on in Marshall and Battle Creek, it’s hard to keep up, but you can find something unique and different nearly every night of the week, both for a night out or for a family outing. In the summer months, Binder Park Zoo and the Cascades in Jackson are always on our must do list. I’m obviously a proponent of museums and there’s no shortage of them in the area! There’s a plethora of activities and events and positive happenings in the area.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’ve had the privilege of working with and meeting so many amazing, diverse, and talented people over the years. Professionally, the person who has helped me prepare most for my current role is my former supervisor, Val. Val is also an executive director of a non-profit organization. Under her supervision, I learned the importance of work-life balance, the significance of creating a positive company culture, and the importance of being yourself and valuing your employees.

Personally, I wouldn’t be able to do what I do without the support of my husband, Roberto.

Website: https://www.kidsnstuff.org/

Instagram: kidsnstuffmuseum

Facebook: /kidsnstuff

Image Credits
Steve Ferency, Jena McKnight