Channel Islands Maritime Museum

What Channel Islands Maritime Museum does

Channel Islands Maritime Museum (CIMM) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit maritime museum located at 3900 Bluefin Circle in Channel Islands Harbor, Oxnard, California. Founded in 1991 by Harry Nelson and Bud Smith and rebranded under its current name following a 2012 relocation, the museum preserves and interprets a permanent collection spanning 17th-century Dutch and Flemish maritime masters, 18th-century British marine artists, and contemporary maritime painters, alongside ship models tracing more than 3,000 years of seafaring history and the second-largest collection of antique Prisoner of War sailing ship models on public display in the United States. The museum operates galleries Thursday through Monday, 12pm-4pm, with free docent-led tours included with admission ($10 adults; $5 seniors/active military/college students; free for youth under 18).

CIMM runs a diversified programmatic portfolio including the Maritime Pathways Academy for grades 6-12, an Artist-in-Residence program seeded by the Nelson Maritime Arts Foundation, a monthly Maritime Speaker Series, signature events such as Chowderfest and Art Comes Alive, group tours, and the CIMM Kids Crew family resources. The business model combines several revenue streams: per-visit admissions, tiered memberships ($35 Volunteer to $1,000 Commodore), ticketed events, unrestricted and restricted donations, planned giving through the Mainsail Society, corporate sponsorships (Port of Hueneme, Channel Islands Harbor, local restaurants and businesses), and a museum gift shop. Membership, which doubled in 2025, includes reciprocal admission at 822+ NARM and CAMM institutions. The museum is predominantly volunteer-run, with a small core staff of 8 employees covering executive, programs and engagement, academy management, curatorial, conservation, and intern roles.

Strategically, CIMM has invested in three institutional pillars — its permanent collection, its youth pipeline (Maritime Pathways Academy), and its artist/curatorial development (Artist-in-Residence) — supported by a network of partnerships with the Port of Hueneme, CSU Channel Islands, Fish with the Finest, NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, and peer museum associations. Recent operational momentum is evidenced by membership doubling in 2025, the seventh-annual Chowderfest selling out pre-event, and new curatorial and program hires, although the institution remains small, single-site, and reliant on volunteer labor and donor support.

Name

Channel Islands Maritime Museum

Legal name

Channel Islands Maritime Museum

Website

https://cimmvc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Channel Islands Maritime Museum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit in Oxnard, California operating a maritime art and ship-model collection, exhibitions, K-12 education programs, and signature events for Ventura County visitors, members, donors, and school groups.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Maritime Museum / Cultural Heritage Institution

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Specialty Museums (e.g., Maritime, Aviation, Sports, Music, Film) (THAJADAF)

Keywords

• Maritime museum
• Maritime art exhibitions
• Maritime education
• Maritime heritage programs
• Cultural institution

Headquarters

HQ city

Oxnard

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Museum Admission: General admission fees: Adults $10, Seniors/Active Military/College Students $5, Youth under 18 free. Blue Star Museums program provides free admission to military families May-September. Museums for All offers $2/person for EBT cardholders.
2. Event Tickets: Ticketed events including Chowderfest ($45 online/$55 at gate), Art Comes Alive ($15-18), Night at the Maritime Museum ($35-40), and Speaker Series events.
3. Membership Dues: Annual membership tiers ranging from $35 (Volunteer) to $1,000 (Commodore), with 5 levels providing admission benefits, guest passes, speaker series tickets, and reciprocal museum benefits (NARM/CAMM). Membership doubled in 2025.
4. Donations: General donations and designated giving (unrestricted or restricted for specific projects). Support amounts: $50 for event prizes, $150 for children's workshops, $500 for artist exhibitions, $1,000 for free child admission, $5,000 for 10 school field trips.
5. Planned Giving (The Mainsail Society): Estate planned gifts including bequests, charitable trusts, life insurance, IRA/QCD donations (age 70.5+), real estate, and securities donations.
6. Corporate Sponsorships: Sponsors for events like Chowderfest and museum operations including Port of Hueneme, Channel Islands Harbor, and other local businesses.
7. Museum Gift Shop: BlueFin Gifts museum store offering merchandise with 10% member discount.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Channel Islands Maritime Museum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit museum that preserves and shares maritime heritage through its permanent collection of maritime art (17th-century Dutch/Flemish masters, 18th-century British artists, contemporary painters) and ship models spanning 3,000+ years of seafaring history. It sells admissions, memberships, event tickets, and gift shop merchandise while generating revenue through donations, sponsorships, and grants to fund exhibitions, educational programs, and community events.

Product overview

The Channel Islands Maritime Museum offers a unified portfolio of maritime heritage experiences centered around its world-class collection of maritime art and ship models. The core offerings include permanent and rotating art exhibitions spanning 17th-century European masters to contemporary maritime artists, comprehensive educational programs for students (grades 3-12) including the Maritime Pathways Academy for career exploration, and the Artist-in-Residence program connecting contemporary artists with the collection. Supporting programs include guided tours, the monthly Maritime Speaker Series, the annual Chowderfest community event, and family-focused activities through CIMM Kids Crew. The museum also offers tiered membership programs providing reciprocal benefits with over 800 participating institutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Maritime Art Exhibitions World-class maritime art collection featuring 17th-century Dutch and Flemish masters, 18th-century British artists, and contemporary maritime painters, plus ship models tracing 3000 years of maritime history. Offered to general visitors, members, and educational groups.
• Educational Programs Field trips and educational experiences for students in grades 3-12, including maritime history, art, culture, and career exploration through hands-on activities. Targeted at Ventura County schools and educational groups.
• Maritime Pathways Academy Full-day field trip program for grades 6-12 connecting students with maritime heritage, ocean stewardship, and career opportunities through STEAM learning and harbor tours. Offered to Ventura County school districts.
• Artist-in-Residence (AIR) Program Program providing workspace and access to the collection for emerging and established artists and scholars to create new maritime-inspired work. Offered to artists and scholars.
• Maritime Speaker Series Monthly third-Thursday presentations featuring historians, artists, authors, scientists and other experts on various maritime topics. Free for CIMM members; $10 for non-members.
• Guided Group Tours Expert-led tours of the museum's collections tailored to group interests, available for adult groups, clubs, and organizations. Free docent tour included with admission for general visitors.
• Chowderfest Annual food and community celebration featuring chowder tastings from local restaurants, live music, harbor cruises, and museum tours. Ticketed event open to the public with online ($45) and gate ($55) pricing.
• CIMM Kids Crew Online educational resources for children including pirate scavenger hunts, coloring pages, drawing tutorials, and educational activities related to maritime themes. Available free to families.
• Museum Membership Program Tiered annual membership program (Volunteer $35 to Commodore $1,000) offering admission benefits, guest passes, speaker series tickets, member-only event tickets, store discounts, and reciprocal admission at 800+ NARM and CAMM institutions.
• Pirates' Treasure Hunt Experience Interactive tour where students follow costumed pirates through the museum using treasure maps, encountering living characters and artwork. Designed for school groups and educational visits.
• Seascape Art Appreciation Tour Guided activity introducing students to elements of design and artistry techniques through examining museum paintings, followed by a guided drawing experience. Designed for school groups.

Quantifiable outcome

• Membership doubled in 2025 following program improvements
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Port of HuenemecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor sponsor and partner in Maritime Pathways Academy. Host of annual Military Appreciation Mixer. The largest commercial port between Los Angeles and San Francisco, serving as a key maritime industry partner for educational programming.
• Channel Islands HarborcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsor and host location partner. The museum is located within Channel Islands Harbor, and the harbor is a key stakeholder in the museum's success and community engagement.
• CSU Channel Islands Boating CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner in Maritime Pathways Academy, providing students exposure to maritime industry careers and operations. Partner in 2026 CAMM Conference representation.
• Fish with the FinestcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEvent partner providing harbor cruises for Chowderfest and Maritime Pathways Academy students. Commercial vessel partner for hands-on maritime career exposure.
• Blue Star Museums (NEA, Blue Star Families, DoD)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerNationwide program offering free admission to active-duty military and families from Armed Forces Day through Labor Day. Partnership between National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, and Department of Defense.
• North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM) AssociationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReciprocal membership program with 822 member institutions. CIMM Lieutenant-level members and above receive free admission and discounts at participating NARM museums.
• Council of American Maritime Museums (CAMM)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProfessional association connecting maritime museums. CIMM participates in annual CAMM conferences (attended Mystic 2026) and receives reciprocal benefits at member institutions.
• Western Museums AssociationminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional museum association membership for professional development and networking in the western United States.
• California Association of MuseumsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorState-level museum association membership providing professional resources and networking for California institutions.
• Museums for AllcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAccessibility program offering $2 admission for EBT/SNAP cardholders. Partnership expanding museum access to low-income families.
• West Ventura County Business AllianceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal business organization co-hosting Military Appreciation Mixer event with Port of Hueneme at the museum.
• Ocean Defenders AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMarine conservation organization featured in Maritime Speaker Series presentation on February 19, 2026 about ocean cleanup efforts.
• NOAA Office of National Marine SanctuariesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal partner providing educational materials (Ocean Guardian Activity Book, Sharks and Rays coloring book) for CIMM Kids Crew program.
• International Maritime Museum HamburgminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman maritime museum providing paper ship model activities (fishing cutter, Viking ship) for CIMM Kids Crew educational resources.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Maine Maritime Museum: Maritime heritage museum in Bath, Maine, focused on shipbuilding and maritime history. Comparable as a specialty maritime institution with similar exhibit-based, educational, and signature event programming.
• Mariners' Museum and Park: Major maritime museum in Newport News, VA, with extensive maritime art and ship model collections, education programs, and signature events. Comparable as a specialty maritime heritage institution operating at a similar non-profit scale.
• South Street Seaport Museum: Historic maritime museum in Lower Manhattan with maritime art, ship models, and educational programs. Comparable as a specialty maritime museum serving an urban harbor community with similar programming mix.
• Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum: Coastal maritime museum focused on seafood industry and maritime heritage. Comparable as a small-to-mid-scale specialty maritime museum with similar operating model and educational mission.
• Mystic Seaport Museum: Largest maritime museum in the US, located in Mystic, CT. Directly comparable as a specialty maritime heritage institution offering exhibitions, ship model collections, educational programs, and signature events to a similar visitor demographic.
• San Diego Maritime Museum / Maritime Museum of San Diego: California maritime museum with historic vessels and maritime exhibitions. Directly comparable as a West Coast maritime museum with harbor location, admission-based revenue, and educational programming.

Regional players

• Santa Barbara Maritime Museum: Nearby coastal California maritime museum in Santa Barbara. Comparable as a regional maritime museum serving a similar Southern California coastal community with overlapping visitor demographics.

Broad incumbents

• National Maritime Museum (Royal Museums Greenwich): The world's largest maritime museum, part of Royal Museums Greenwich. Comparable as a globally recognized maritime heritage institution with similar exhibit, education, and membership-based business model.
• Peabody Essex Museum: Major New England museum with significant maritime art and ship model collections. Comparable as a larger institution with overlapping maritime heritage content and similar educational programming models.
• Hamburg International Maritime Museum: German maritime museum with 3,000 years of maritime history and large ship model collections. Already a content partner of CIMM, comparable as a specialty maritime institution with similar collection scope.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ChannelIslandsMaritimeMuseum
• Instagraminstagram.com/cimmmuseum
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-channel-islands-maritime-museum

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

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 Channel Islands Maritime Museum