Growing Together

When Michael Shanklin talks about his new role as CEO of Thinkery, he doesn’t explain all the things that he wants to change. Quite the opposite, in fact. He instead leads with all the amazing things that are already there. That’s fitting for someone who has spent more than 20 years working in children’s museums. Shanklin knows that organizations like Thinkery don’t become part of a community overnight. They grow into that role over time, becoming part of family routines, childhood memories, and, eventually, traditions passed from one generation to the next.

In his new role, Shanklin plays a critical part in helping shape the next chapter of an Austin institution that has been part of the city for more than 40 years. What attracted him to Thinkery was that history, but what really excited him was the opportunity to help carry it into the future. 

His goal isn’t to reinvent Thinkery. It’s to understand what makes it special, listen to the people who know it best, and look for ways to make it even stronger. That listening-first approach comes from years of experience working with cultural and educational organizations at different stages of growth and change. Shanklin believes the strongest institutions are built with their communities, not simply for them. At Thinkery, that means listening to staff, families, members, educators, supporters, partners, and neighbors before deciding where the organization should go next. 

Connecting Community 

It’s an approach that feels particularly appropriate here in Mueller, where Thinkery and the neighborhood have grown up alongside each other. When Thinkery moved to Mueller in 2013, our neighborhood was still taking shape. 13 years later, the museum has become part of the everyday rhythm. Families walk or bike over, meet friends, attend events, and make Thinkery part of their family routines. Its location next to Mueller Lake Park also means a trip to the museum can easily become part of a larger day in the neighborhood.  

At the same time, families from across Austin and Central Texas also regularly come to Thinkery, bringing new visitors into Mueller and connecting them with our businesses, parks, and gathering spaces. That makes both Thinkery and Mueller a destination for people of all ages and benefits the greater community at large. 

As Shanklin has settled into his new role, one of the things that has surprised him most is just how deep the connection to Thinkery runs. He regularly hears from adults who remember visiting the original Austin Children’s Museum when they were kids and are now bringing their own children to Thinkery. 

But it’s the people behind the museum who have perhaps made the biggest impression on him. “There is an incredible amount of talent, creativity and care across the organization,” he says. The exhibits may be what families see first, but Shanklin points to the people who welcome the visitors, develop the programs, design experiences, keep the museum running and get down on the floor to explore alongside a child. 

Over the next several years, he wants to continue investing in the museum, keeping it vibrant and giving families new reasons to come back. That includes updates to gallery spaces, continued growth at Thinkery—Del Valle, and expanded work with schools, educators, and community partners. 

Access is another important part of his vision. Shanklin believes a family’s ability to pay shouldn’t determine whether a child gets to experience meaningful, hands-on learning through play. Making that possible, he says, requires strong community partnerships, philanthropic support, and a sustainable financial model. 

And while there are plenty of these practical goals on the horizon, Shanklin keeps coming back to a much simpler idea: Thinkery should continue to be a place where children can be curious. A place where they can try something, get it wrong, laugh about it, and try again. 

That may be one of the things he finds most inspiring about children. Adults tend to see failure as something to avoid. Kids often just see it as information. “One of my favorite things is watching a kid try something, realize it didn’t work, and immediately try it again,” Shanklin says. “They don’t think of that as failure. They’re just figuring it out. There’s a lot we can learn from that.” 

That sense of curiosity is something Shanklin wants Thinkery to hold onto as it grows, not just for the next few years, but for the next generation of Austin families. Shanklin is looking ahead. The exhibits will change. The city will change. The families walking through Thinkery’s doors will change. But the heart of the experience remains the same: giving kids the freedom to play, experiment, create, ask questions, and try again.  

For Shanklin, the real measure of success will be making sure Thinkery is still doing all of these things 40 years from now. He thinks about the kids who haven’t even walked through the doors yet and wonders what they’ll discover when they do. He knows there’s always something new around the corner, and he’s just as excited as the kids about what comes next.