Giving Back to Our Community - The Children's Museum of ...

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INTERPRETATION, GALLERIES AND PROGRAMS In 2006, the museum reorganized its interpretation programs to further enhance the quality and delivery of educational and family-learning content. Professionally trained theatrical performers were added to the museum’s staff, delivering an average of 96 presentations per day. In addition, 76 new interpretation programs were added to the Interpretation Department’s offerings. A new approach was introduced to the Museum Apprentice Program (MAP). Project-based activities were added to the MAP’s responsibilities and in 2006, they developed an exhibit on Rio Grande do Sul, a state in Brazil and one of the sister states of Indiana. The youth worked extensively with staff to create the exhibit, and it was presented to family and staff in early August. Traditional free days — Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, El Dia de los Niños and Christmas Eve — continued to drive strong attendance in 2006, with El Dia de los Niños doubling its attendance figures from the prior year. The addition of Target as the lead sponsor for First Thursday Family Nights allowed the museum to lengthen those free evenings by one hour and enhance program offerings. ▼ ▼ Led by a trained volunteer, schoolchildren participated in a new program called CSI: Curious Scientific Investigators. Sara Snow, host of the Discovery Health channel’s “Get Fresh with Sara Snow,” talked about nutrition at PlayFit. In September of 2006, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis along with the Anthem Foundation, kicked off its new health initiative, PlayFit. On special PlayFit days at the museum, visitors participated in healthy lifestyle activities, learned about family health issues and were provided with engaging experiences to encourage healthy choices. Compared to the same dates in 2005, PlayFit days saw a 57 percent increase of overall attendance and a 31 percent increase in paid attendance. The Prelude Awards, a partnership between The Children’s Museum and the Penrod Society, are a dynamic and comprehensive program about learning through the arts that celebrates and supports the creativity and artistic excellence of high school youth in Marion County. Conducted annually for students of the arts in Marion County, the 2006 competition recognized participants in creative writing, dance, instrumental music, theater, video/film, visual arts and vocal music. SCHOOL SERVICES AND FAMILY PROGRAMS In 2006, the museum offered schools a number of new programs and experiences tied to national and Indiana school standards. However, environmental factors, including higher fuel prices and limited financial resources, negatively impacted school attendance by 11 percent over the prior year. The SpaceQuest Planetarium gained 28 percent more visitors from schools, and home school participation grew slightly. Educators continued to become more engaged in the museum. Open Houses, preview nights and professional development workshops saw a 40 percent increase, as did membership in the Teacher Club. Family Program offerings included the third annual trip to Chicago’s American Girl Place; Dinosaur Dig Expeditions in Faith, South Dakota; and Thermopolis, Wyoming; and The Children’s Museum’s own version of a “Night At the Museum.” ANNUAL REPORT 2006 THE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF INDIANAPOLIS 23
Giving Back to Our Community: Through the Physical and Virtual Campus and Surrounding Neighborhood In 2006, work began on the planning stages of Phase II of the museum’s campus expansion plans. Guided by the Master Campus Planning Working Group of the Board of Trustees, a good portion of the year was spent familiarizing the staff and working group members with the requirements in accessing the Federal Transportation Authority grant the museum received in 2005. In fourth quarter, enhancements to heighten visitor safety and lower vehicular congestion, along with landscape improvements to beautify the surrounding neighborhood, were fashioned into an initial Request for Proposals and published for the response of potential architects and engineers in early 2007. The facilities and security departments were both reorganized in 2006, with new department directors hired in both areas. As a result, a 12 percent reduction in facilities expenses was realized. Staff uniforms were also introduced in these areas, along with Visitor Relations, to improve the recognition factor of these important frontline staff members. Restaurant enhancements were made in 2006 to improve customer service and to respond to visitor requests for broader offerings and healthier choices. INFORMATION AND INTERACTIVE TECHNOLOGY The museum’s Information Services and Media Technology departments were merged in early 2006 to form the Information and Interactive Technology Department bringing efficiencies in resources in the delivery of information across the institution. In conjunction with the February opening of Scholastic’s The Magic School Bus Kicks Up A Storm, the museum announced its receipt of a software donation from Microsoft valued at $350,000. The new technology was used to upgrade the museum’s software infrastructure and aided in the development of interactive media throughout the institution. The museum’s Web site home page was redesigned in 2006, giving the 1,505,539 online visitors an updated and more dynamic platform from which to plan their future visits. E-commerce continued to grow as the museum saw increased online revenue from ticket sales, membership sales, gift certificates sales, school registrations and Museum Store sales. ANNUAL REPORT 2006 THE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF INDIANAPOLIS 25
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