Monmouth Museum

What Monmouth Museum does

Monmouth Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit cultural institution founded in 1966 (per company history; firmographics record indicates 1963) and headquartered in Lincroft, New Jersey on the Brookdale Community College campus. The museum operates two locations as of May 2026 — the original 15,000-square-foot Lincroft facility and a new satellite in downtown Dunellen, its first physical expansion in 60 years — and serves more than 50,000 visitors annually. Its core products are physical, hands-on exhibits and educational programming: the Wonder Wing (under-the-sea themed children's play area for ages 6 and under), the Becker STEAM Wing (fossils, replica T. rex skeleton, aquaponics, and the Garrett Reisman Center for Air & Space), the Nilson Gallery for rotating exhibitions, the Meyer Nature Area, and curated shows such as the Smithsonian SITES-hosted "The Bias Inside Us" and the tribal-partnered "Native Americans of New Jersey: Past and Present." Technology is not a core competency; the museum runs a Wix-based e-commerce site for ticketing and donations and maintains standard social channels plus an Artist Talk podcast.

Monetization is multi-stream and characteristic of a mid-sized American nonprofit museum. Earned revenue comes from general admission, tiered memberships ($45 Senior/Veteran/Artist through $1,000 Lifetime and $750 Corporate), guided tours ($12/person, 20-person minimum), instructor-led art workshops ($25-$45/person, 10-person minimum), birthday party packages ($550-$700), gift certificates ($10+), and a 30% commission on juried art sales. Contributed revenue flows from individual donors, foundations, corporate sponsors, county and state grants, and special events. Distribution is regional, spanning Monmouth and Middlesex Counties in New Jersey, with direct-to-consumer sales online and at the front desk and direct bookings handled by a School & Group Coordinator and dedicated party coordinators.

The customer base spans families with young children (the primary segment), K-12 schools and camps, Girl Scout troops, seniors, individual art patrons, corporate partners, and the general public, with institutional relationships anchored by Brookdale Community College (which hosts the Lincroft site), four tribal nations, the Borough of Dunellen, the Smithsonian Institution, and Art Bridges. The museum is led by Executive Director Erika Schaefer, who has overseen the Dunellen expansion and a series of major state grants, and is governed by an independent board of directors; there is no parent company, private equity, or public ownership.

Name

Monmouth Museum

Legal name

Monmouth Museum

Website

https://monmouthmuseum.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1966

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Monmouth Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating two New Jersey locations (Lincroft and Dunellen) that delivers hands-on art, science, and cultural-history exhibits plus educational programming to more than 50,000 visitors annually, funded by admissions, memberships, programs, and state grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Art Museum and Cultural Education Services

NAICS

Museums (71211), Museums (712110), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (7121), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712)

akta.pro primary industry

Art Museums (THAJADAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Children’s Museums (THAJADAE), Museums & Heritage Sites (History, Science, Specialty) (BPAGAHAA), Specialty Museums (e.g., Maritime, Aviation, Sports, Music, Film) (THAJADAF)

Keywords

• Art museum exhibits
• Children's museum programs
• Educational art workshops
• Museum membership programs
• Cultural institution services

Headquarters

HQ city

Lincroft

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Museum Admissions: Revenue from individual visitors paying admission fees to the museum
2. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees providing unlimited visits, guest passes, and discounts on programs and gift shop. Includes Individual ($55), Family ($125), Senior/Veterans/Artist ($45), Lifetime ($1,000), and Corporate ($750) tiers.
3. Birthday Parties: Private party bookings at Wonder Wing or Becker STEAM Wing locations. $600 non-member / $550 member for Lincroft Wonder Wing; $700 non-member / $650 member for Lincroft Becker Wing; $600 non-member / $550 member for Dunellen. Includes themed activities, private party space, pizza, drinks, and museum admission.
4. Art Workshops: Instructor-led art workshops for groups studying artists like Keith Haring, Henri Matisse, Damien Hirst, Piet Mondrian, and Yayoi Kusama. Pricing from $25-$45 per person with 10-person minimum.
5. Guided Tours: Educational tours of Wonder Wing ($12/person) and Becker STEAM Wing for school and camp groups. Groups of 20+ accommodated with advance reservation.
6. Gift Certificates and Gift Shop: Gift certificates available in any amount $10+ that can be used for admissions, workshops, gift shop items, memberships, or artwork purchases.
7. Art Sales Commission: The museum earns 30% commission on artwork sold through juried exhibitions. Artists receive 70% of sale price.
8. Donations and Grants: The museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit entirely supported by individuals, foundations, corporate, county, and state grants, income from special events, membership dues and admissions. Received $500,000 NJEDA A.R.T. Phase II grant and New Jersey Cultural Trust funding.
9. Event Rentals: Corporate membership includes complimentary event rental. The museum also offers space rentals for private events.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Monmouth Museum is a nonprofit cultural institution operating two physical museum locations (Lincroft and Dunellen, NJ) that presents rotating art, history, and science exhibitions for public visitation. It sells admissions, multi-tier memberships, guided tours, instructor-led art workshops, birthday party packages, Girl Scouts badge programs, gift certificates, and private event rentals, and commissions artwork sold through juried exhibitions. The museum is entirely supported by admissions, memberships, donations, and government/foundation grants as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

Product overview

The Monmouth Museum is a 15,000-square-foot nonprofit cultural institution with two locations (Lincroft and Dunellen) offering interactive exhibits and educational programming. The museum features the Wonder Wing (children's play area for ages 6 and under), the Becker STEAM Wing (science education with dinosaur fossils, air & space exhibits), and rotating art galleries including the Nilson Gallery. Core offerings include guided tours, art workshops, birthday parties, Girl Scouts badge programs, membership tiers, and an Artist Talk podcast series. The museum serves more than 50,000 visitors annually.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Wonder Wing: Children's play and educational area designed for children ages 6 and under, featuring an under the sea themed environment with puzzle corner, treehouse, stage area, lighthouse, ship, rope bridge, whale slide, arts and crafts room, and reading nook.
• Becker STEAM Wing
• Garrett Reisman Center for Air & Space
• Artist Talk Podcast

Products and services

• Family Membership Annual $125 membership providing unlimited admission for two adults sharing a household plus all children under 21 at Lincroft and Dunellen locations, four complimentary digital guest passes, 10% gift shop discount, and priority registration for workshops and events.
• Individual Membership Annual $55 membership providing unlimited visits for one adult, discounts on programs and special events, 10% gift shop discount, and two complimentary digital passes.
• Senior, Veteran, and Artist Membership Annual $45 membership for seniors (65+), veterans, and artists with valid ID, providing unlimited visits, program discounts, 10% gift shop discount, and two complimentary digital passes.
• Lifetime Membership One-time $1,000 membership providing lifetime unlimited admission for household, access to both Lincroft and Dunellen locations, eight complimentary guest passes annually, 10% gift shop discount, priority registration, and invitations to member previews and receptions.
• Corporate Membership Annual $750 business membership providing 100 employee admission passes, one complimentary event rental, one private employees-only morning, discounts on programs and special events, and 10% gift shop discount.
• Guided Tours Educational guided tours of Wonder Wing and Becker STEAM Wing priced at $12 per person with a 20-person minimum, available year-round for school groups, camps, and other organizations by advance reservation through the School & Group Coordinator.
• Art Workshops Instructor-led art workshops for groups studying artists including Keith Haring ($25/person), Henri Matisse ($45/person), Damien Hirst ($40/person), Piet Mondrian, Yayoi Kusama, and ceramic vase painting. Each workshop requires a 10-person minimum and includes artist presentation, materials, and step-by-step project instruction.
• Birthday Parties - Lincroft Birthday party packages at the Lincroft museum location in Wonder Wing ($600 non-member / $550 member, up to 15 children) or Becker STEAM Wing ($700 non-member / $650 member). Each 2-hour package includes private party space, themed activities, pizza, drinks, paper goods, setup/cleanup, dedicated party host, and full museum admission. $50 weekday discount available and $200 non-refundable deposit required.
• Birthday Parties - Dunellen Art-themed birthday parties at the Dunellen location ($600 non-member / $550 member, up to 15 children, 2 hours). Themes include Hearts & Shapes, Cut-Out Collage, and Dot Painting; Dinosaur Party includes T-shirt coloring. Includes themed activities on projector, pizza, drinks, paper goods, and museum admission. $50 weekday discount and $15 per additional child available.
• Gift Certificates Gift certificates available in any amount of $10 or more that can be redeemed for museum admissions, workshops, gift shop items, memberships, or artwork purchases.
• Girl Scouts Badge Program Badge programs for Girl Scout troops including the Art and Design badge featuring gallery tours and abstract art creation, and the Space Science badge featuring the Air & Space Center tour and hands-on activities.
• Artist Talk Podcast

Named customers9 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Smithsonian Institution (SITES)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 August 2025Hosted 'The Bias Inside Us' community engagement exhibition organized by Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service. This nationally recognized exhibition explored implicit bias, its effects, and what individuals can do to recognize and counter it.
• Art BridgesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for artifact loans supporting the Native Americans of New Jersey: Past and Present exhibition.
• Monmouth County Historical AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing artifacts and materials for Native Americans of New Jersey exhibition.
• Monmouth UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity provost provided guidance in developing Native Americans of New Jersey: Past and Present exhibition.
• Borough of DunellencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partnership supporting downtown revitalization through arts and culture. Mayor Jason Cilento expressed strong support for bringing energy, creativity, and cultural engagement to the community.
• Powhatan Renape NationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTribal community partner providing consultation and content for Native Americans of New Jersey: Past and Present exhibition.
• Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal NationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTribal community partner providing consultation and content for Native Americans of New Jersey: Past and Present exhibition.
• Ramapough Lenape NationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTribal community partner providing consultation and content for Native Americans of New Jersey: Past and Present exhibition.
• Sand Hill Indian AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTribal community partner providing consultation and content for Native Americans of New Jersey: Past and Present exhibition.
• Brookdale Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosts the museum's main Lincroft location on campus (Building #10), providing educational synergy and campus access.
• The Arc of MonmouthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit partnership; Executive Director Erika Schaefer serves as board member.
• Brooklyn Home FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit supporting needs of seniors in communities; Executive Director Erika Schaefer chairs the foundation.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Morris Museum: NJ-based nonprofit cultural museum combining art, history, and science exhibitions with educational programming and school tours — closely mirrors the Monmouth Museum's multi-discipline model.
• Newark Museum of Art: New Jersey-based nonprofit museum with a similar multi-disciplinary blend of art, science, and educational programming and comparable role as a regional cultural institution.
• Children's Museum of Manhattan: Nonprofit children's museum offering hands-on exhibits, birthday parties, art/science programming, and memberships — comparable Wonder Wing-like children's learning experience with similar revenue model.
• Brooklyn Children's Museum: Nonprofit children's museum with hands-on exhibits, birthday party packages, and community-focused programming — directly comparable Wonder Wing model with similar party and group-booking revenue mechanics.
• Hudson River Museum: Regional multi-disciplinary museum combining art exhibitions, planetarium, and educational programming with school tours and memberships — closely aligned mission, programming mix, and audience profile.
• The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum: Connecticut-based nonprofit contemporary art museum with rotating exhibitions of emerging and established artists, member programming, and juried shows — directly mirrors Monmouth's artist-exhibition pipeline and membership tiering.
• Staten Island Museum: Multi-disciplinary nonprofit museum combining art, natural science, and cultural history exhibits with school programs and memberships — closely comparable to Monmouth's integrated art + science + culture format.

Regional players

• Grounds for Sculpture: NJ-based nonprofit sculpture park and exhibition space with rotating artist shows, memberships, workshops, and birthday/private event programming — directly comparable as a NJ cultural attraction competing for the same discretionary visitor.

Broad incumbents

• Liberty Science Center: Large NJ science center with STEAM exhibits, school programs, birthday parties, and memberships — comparable Becker STEAM Wing overlap on science education and family group bookings.
• Princeton University Art Museum: Larger NJ art institution with rotating exhibitions and educational outreach — establishes the upper-bound benchmark for a NJ art-museum programming portfolio and visitor reach.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCjkyz5qqSf8SdAc-BG7HoKg
• Facebookfacebook.com/themonmouthmuseum
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/monmouth-museum
• Instagraminstagram.com/themonmouthmuseum
• TikToktiktok.com/@themonmouthmuseum

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Monmouth Museum