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After over fourteen years of fundraising, creation and realization, the Peoria PlayHouse Children’s Museum has opened its doors to the public.
Championed by the Junior League of Peoria, the mission of Peoria Playhouse is “to provide young individuals with the tools and inspiration they need to become explorers and creators of the world.”
The PlayHouse, targeted to children ages birth to eight, provides yet another family destination for Peoria’s Glen Oak Park, which is already home to the Peoria Zoo and the Luthy Botanical Garden.
JRA (Jack Rouse Associates)provided overall planning, design development, and fabrication and installation project management for Peoria PlayHouse’s 8, 000 square feet of exhibit space. Through the museum’s six exhibit areas, the PlayHouse understands, supports and promotes play in the fullest sense of the word, encouraging imagination and creativity. The PlayHouse also celebrates the past, present and future of the Peoria and Central Illinois communities.
Exhibits include:
All Constructions Great and Small: Children become construction workers, donning yellow hard hats and belts, and can walk across a musical bridge that spans a faux river on the floor. The smallest builders hammer and play peek-a-boo in the toddler play area, while older children use real tools to build small objects under staff supervision.
Family Farm: The bounty of the harvest finds its way to the table as children discover where many of their favorite foods come from and gain an appreciation for Illinois’ agricultural heritage. The Family Farm invites children to pick vegetables, gather eggs and milk a cow before “buying and selling” their goods at a nearby farm stand.
Sand Porch: Here half the fun of playing in the sand is cleaning up! The enclosed porch is the perfect location for children to dig, build, scoop, pound and sculpt. Once they are done in the sand there is more fun in the vacuum room, where children can brush and suck the sand right off.
By Your River Gently Flowing: Here children can maneuver boats through dams and waterfalls, learn about the animals that populate the Illinois River area and discover how the river is used to transport cargo.
Peoria Then and Now: As children explore a recreation of Peoria through the years, they not only learn about history, they take part in it as well. They can take a “ride” in a train car or dress up in vaudeville clothing and put on shows for their friends. The Peoria of today is represented by the National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, or "Sci Lab, " where a number of scientific experiments await.
Motion Commotion: This temporary exhibit teaches children about the science of the six simple machines, using a ball exhibit as a teaching tool. The permanent gallery that houses the exhibit will be updated with fresh content approximately every six months, providing reasons for families to return again and again.
In addition to these exhibits, three tot areas located throughout the museum will feature toys, books and places to crawl, enabling parents to stay with younger children as their older children play nearby.
The Peoria PlayHouse has helped repurpose a building from 1894 into an attraction designed to delight families for generations to come.
“The staff of the PlayHouse recognize that a great children’s museum experience is not contained within the museum building, ” saidRebecca Shulman Herz, Director of Peoria PlayHouse Children’s Museum. “We understand that the museum is a catalyst, and we want visitors to leave the PlayHouse with the urge to explore the world around them.”
Peoria PlayHouse Children’s Museum is located at 2218 North Prospect Road, Peoria, Illinois USA. For more information on Peoria PlayHouse, please visithttps://www.peoriaplayhouse.orgor call (309)-323-6900.
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ICOM UK announces details of 2026 Annual Conference
The International Council of Museums (ICOM) has opened registration for the ICOM UK 2026 Annual Conference, Museum Diplomacy in Action, which will be held in Oxford from 16 to 17 April.
The event, which is the UK’s leading museum and heritage conference, will examine how museums are increasingly serving as cultural diplomats.
In a time of global uncertainty, these trusted organisations are shaping narratives, promoting cross-cultural understanding, and strengthening international relationships.
Dr Christian Baars, ICOM UK co-chair and conference host, says: "We are excited to be inviting our members and museum professionals from around the world to the wonderful city of Oxford for our 2026 conference.
"This year’s theme feels particularly relevant given current global challenges, and we hope that our programme and networking opportunities will leave delegates informed and inspired by what museum diplomacy means in practice."
Early bird registration is available until 15 February 2026. For more information and to book, pleaseclick here.
Two days of ideas, global perspectives, and networking
ICOM UK is developing a programme that features speakers from museums, culture, policy, and the creative sector in the UK and across the world. This is co-curated withDr Sascha Priewe, president of ICOM Canada and co-editor ofMuseum Diplomacy: How Cultural Institutions Shape Global Engagement.
The full programme will be announced soon.
The conference will be hosted by five of Oxford’s most iconic museums: the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, theAshmolean Museum, the Museum of Oxford, thePitt Rivers Museum, and the History of Science Museum.
In these inspiring settings, delegates will engage in two days of debate, learning, and connection. They can expect practical case studies, workshops, networking, global perspectives, and future-facing debate, and to leave with the confidence to act as cultural diplomats in their own organisations.
Participation is available in person or through livestream.
Last year, ICOM opened an opportunity to join the Board of Trustees for ICOM UK as afinance lead trustee.
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Rome's Trevi Fountain introduces €2 tourist fee
Rome has introduced a €2 fee to access the viewing area of its iconic Trevi Fountain in an attempt to manage attendance at the site.
Previously free to visit, the Trevi Fountain welcomed more than 10 million visitors in 2025.
The charge is intended to reduce crowding at the touristattraction and raise funds for its maintenance.
"The admission ticket helps protect the Trevi Fountain and ensure better maintenance," thewebsite says.
Residents of Rome are exempt from the Trevi Fountain fee, which was introduced on 2 February, as are people with disabilities and children under the age of six.
Officials estimate the charge could generate an extra €6.5 million (£5.6m) per year for the city.
The fee can be paid on-site, online or at authorised sales points and allows tourists to get close to the fountain during the day and up until 10pm. After visiting hours, the fountain remains visible for free.
The payment is only for visitors who walk down the fountain’s steps to reach the basin, and remains free to view from the piazza above at all times.
Via the Associated Press,Alessandro Onorato, Rome’s assessor of tourism, said: "I think tourists were shocked by the fact that the city of Rome is only asking for €2m for a site of this level.
"I believe that if the Trevi Fountain were inNew York, they would have charged at least $100."
Charges to European tourist attractions
Viathe Guardian, Onorato said: “Until a year ago, visiting the Trevi fountain was an absurd experience,” referring to the crowds.
Charges to tourist attractions are being introduced across Rome and Europe. Since 2023, a €5 fee has been in place at the Pantheon monument, for example.
These fees look small when compared to the Louvre museum's recent45 percent ticket price hike for most non-EU visitors.
Saudi Arabia's AlUla Contemporary Art Museum officially named
The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) has officially namedAlUla's new contemporary art museum.
The AlUla Contemporary Art Museum is part of Saudi Arabia's $15 billion AlUla project, set to be the world's largest living museum.
Designed by architectLina Ghotmeh, the institution will be a space for exhibitions, commissions, residencies, research and publications.
Hamad Alhomiedan, director of arts and creative industries at the Royal Commission for AlUla, said: "The AlUla Contemporary Art Museum marks another vital chapter in AlUla's journey, connecting our deep local heritage with the innovations shaping the global art landscape.
"Rooted in AlUla's monumental landscape and its people, and through bold commissions, landmark exhibitions, and deep collaborations, we are building a platform that elevatesSaudi and regional voices into meaningful dialogue with the world.
"We look forward to welcoming our community, partners, and visitors to witness the rise of an institution that will shape artistic discourse for generations to come."
World's largest living museum
Upon completion in 2035, AlUla will include five unique districts, five heritage sites, 15 cultural venues and museums, 10 million square metres of green space, and 5,000 hotel rooms.
AlUla's contemporary art museum was officially named at the opening ofArduna, the first exhibition presented by Arts AlUla, part of the RCU.
Staged as part of the fifth edition of the AlUla Arts Festival 2026, Arduna was co-curated by the AlUla Contemporary Art Museum and Paris's Centre Pompidou with the support of the French Agency for AlUla Development (Afalula).
The show features more than 80 works from Saudi Arabia, the widerMiddle East, and the world, including new commissions and works by renowned artists such as Pablo Picasso, Wassily Kandinsky, Manal AlDowayan, Ayman Zedani, and Etel Adnan.
Arduna runs from 1 February until 15 April.
Images courtesy of RCU
Musealia encourages reflection as Seeing Auschwitz opens in Turin
Musealia, aglobal leader in the creation of touring exhibitions, marks the 81st anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz as theSeeing Auschwitz exhibition opens at the Archivio di Stato di Torino (Sale espositive, Piazzetta Molino 1) in Turin.
Edith Carter, Holocaust survivor, said: "Everybody, every human being has the obligation to contribute somehow to this world."
Guided by this mission,Seeing Auschwitz invites guests to engage critically with history, reflect on the lessons of the past, and take responsibility for remembrance, both now and into the future.
"At Musealia, we believe that preserving and sharing history, making it accessible to all kinds of audiences across the world, is our way of honoring that obligation," says the company.
"An ethical commitment that is not only about sharing knowledge, but about creating spaces for reflection, places where history can be encountered with attention, care, and critical thought.
See also:Beyond objects: how Musealia creates exhibitions with meaning & purpose
Remembering, reflecting, and learning from the past
The anniversary of Auschwitz's liberation is a time to pause, remember, and to reflect on the significance of memory itself.
Remembering is both an act of commemoration and a learning process, says Musealia. "To know the past is to confront its failures, to recognise the consequences of indifference, and to reflect on how knowledge can shape more conscious choices in the present."
Exhibitions such asAuschwitz. Not Long Ago. Not Far Away(co-created by Musealia and the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum) andSeeing Auschwitz(co-created by Musealia and the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum in collaboration with the United Nations and UNESCO) aim to carry this responsibility across borders and generations.
They invite guests to actively engage with history, questioning, observing, and facing the realities behind the narratives and images that have influenced our shared understanding of the Holocaust.
Seeing Auschwitz opens in Turin within this reflective framework.
The exhibition critically analyses photographic evidence of Auschwitz and the Holocaust, much of which was produced by the perpetrators. These images demand careful, critical reading, highlighting that photographs are not neutral records but mediated representations that require interpretation and context.
Rather than offering definitive answers, Seeing Auschwitz encourages reflection and awareness, emphasising the importance of understanding the mistakes of the past not as history but as lessons that help prevent their repetition today.
"Remembering, then, is not an act confined to the past," says Musealia.
"It is an ongoing responsibility, one that calls on each of us to think critically, to learn from history, to look beyond the picture, and to contribute, in our own way, to a more conscious and informed world."
In December, Musealia announced an extended run for the exhibitionTitanic. The Human Story, which is on show at the Musée de la civilisation in Quebec City until 8 March.
Miral bringing Topgolf to Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
Miral,Abu Dhabi's creator of immersive destinations and experiences, is developing a Topgolf for Yas Island.
The new Topgolf is already under construction and has reached 28 percent completion. It is being developed by Miral in partnership with Viya, a Topgolf franchise partner.
Jonathan Brown, chief portfolio officer atMiral, said: "This project is a testament to our unwavering commitment to further positioning the island as a top global destination for entertainment and leisure."
Topgolf Yas Island will feature a multi-tier driving range and entertainment experiences across approximately 6,500 square metres.
It will also include a 19,000-square-metre outfield driving range equipped with TopTracer technology for ball tracking during gameplay sessions.
The venue will boast 82 hitting bays, including eight VIP bays, designed for all skill levels.
"Topgolf embodies innovation and joy, offering an unparalleled experience for visitors of all skill levels," Brown said.
"We look forward to welcoming golf enthusiasts and first-time players to enjoy this dynamic andimmersive sporting experience on Yas Island."
Yas Island experiences expand
Highlights in the new Topgolf will include a VR hitting bay, an event lawn, a shop for golf equipment, a sports and sky lounge with outdoor terrace spaces, and an arcade zone.
Christopher May, CEO at Viya, said Topgolf Yas Island "reflects our commitment to bringing world-class leisure and entertainment destinations to theUnited Arab Emirates".
"Since opening five years ago, Topgolf Dubai has welcomed more than 2.7 million guests, delivered over 85 million swings, and earned more than 29 industry awards," May added.
As above, Topgolf Yas Island will be the second Topgolf venue in the UAE.
On Yas Island, it joins Miral's growing portfolio of attractions and experiences, including Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World, Yas Waterworld, and SeaWorld.
Last year, Miral reported arecord-breaking summer across its sites on Yas Island and Saadiyat Island.
Images courtesy of Miral and Topgolf