Wendy Harper/MDN Matthew Farnsworth stops for a photo while giving a tour of the Magic City Discovery Center in Minot.

For Matthew Farnsworth, July brought a whirlwind of change — a new home, a new city and a new role that he describes as the perfect fit. On July 17, he became executive director of the Magic City Discovery Center, a position he calls his “dream job.”

“It just felt so right,” Farnsworth said. “This is a magical place, and I want everyone who comes through the door to feel discovery, wonder and joy.”

Farnsworth, his wife and their children moved to Minot from Casper, Wyoming, arriving just a day before he began work. The transition was quick, but the opportunity was one he couldn’t turn down.

“We knew right away this was something special,” he said.

Farnsworth’s journey to Minot began far from North Dakota. He was born in Huntington Beach, California, and grew up on the West Coast. After marrying his wife, the couple moved to Denver, Colorado, and later settled in Casper, Wyoming. Each move, he said, shaped his career and his vision for leadership.

In Casper, Farnsworth served in leadership roles at the local library before taking a position as project manager for a marketing company that owned several of Wyoming’s largest digital newspapers. His work included overseeing projects, coordinating teams and finding innovative solutions to connect with audiences.

Farnsworth earned a bachelor’s degree in communication studies from California State University, Long Beach, followed by a master’s degree in organizational performance and workplace learning from Boise State University. His studies focused on communication, leadership, training and change management – skills he now relies on in his new role.

“I’ve worked in education, libraries, nonprofits and communications,” he said. “All of those experiences have prepared me for the varied challenges of running a children’s museum and science center.”

The Discovery Center has experienced leadership changes in recent years, and Farnsworth said one of his top goals is to bring stability and build trust. He describes his leadership style as similar to conducting a choir – giving staff the resources they need and then trusting them to succeed.

“I don’t want to play every instrument,” he said. “I want to make sure my team has what they need to do their best and then let them shine.”

That philosophy, he added, extends beyond staff to volunteers, board members and the wider community. He believes the Discovery Center should feel like a place where everyone belongs.

“My biggest priority is making sure everyone feels welcome here,” he said. “This should feel like their Discovery Center.”

The Magic City Discovery Center, which opened in 2023, has quickly become a destination for families in the region. Many of its exhibits focus on elementary-aged children, but Farnsworth hopes to expand programming to reach middle school, high school and even college students. He envisions older students not only visiting but also serving as volunteers, interns or part-time staff members, gaining valuable experience while supporting younger children.

“This is a place for lifelong learning,” Farnsworth said. “Whether you’re 2 or 22, there should be something here that sparks your curiosity.”

Community partnerships will play a key role in that expansion, he said. Already, the center has worked with Prairie Grit Adaptive Sports after summer flooding displaced YMCA programs. By offering space for activities, the Discovery Center demonstrated how it can serve as a flexible community hub.

“We want to be more than just a building,” Farnsworth said. “We want to be part of the heartbeat of Minot.”

Like many nonprofits, the Discovery Center faces ongoing challenges in securing operational funding. Farnsworth said donors often get excited about capital campaigns for new exhibits or facilities, but it is harder to generate enthusiasm for day-to-day expenses such as staffing and utilities.

“It’s difficult to get people excited about donating to keep the lights on,” he said. “We’re working to find creative ways to inspire community support while making sure we can sustain the daily operations that keep this place running.”

Despite those challenges, Farnsworth said he is optimistic. He sees strong potential for growth and believes the Discovery Center can become a model for how community institutions adapt and thrive.

For Farnsworth, the mission of the Discovery Center is more than professional. It is personal. He recalls his family’s time in Denver, when museum memberships became essential during long winter days with a young child. One of his daughters even took her first steps in a museum, a memory that reinforced the role such places play in family life.

“Those experiences had a big impact on us,” he said. “We saw firsthand how museums can create meaningful moments for families.”

That perspective now shapes how he approaches the Discovery Center. He wants families in Minot and across the region to build lasting memories within its walls, just as his family did in other cities.

“I had no idea I had a dream job until I found this one,” Farnsworth said. “Everything I’ve done in my career has led me here, and I feel like this is exactly where I need to be.”

At 44, Farnsworth sees his role not just as a job but as a calling. As he settles into Minot, he is eager to not only guide the Discovery Center but also connect with the community it serves. He believes the center’s mission to inspire discovery through play, science and learning has the power to transform lives.

“Whether you’re a visitor, a staff member or a longtime supporter, I want you to feel the magic when you come here,” he said. “That’s what makes this place special, and that’s what makes me so excited about the future.”