Business Is Good at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis
Increases in Attendance in Spite of the Tough Economy

During tough economic times, there is good news at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. Compared to this time last year, the museum's overall attendance is up 23%, membership is at an all-time high at 25% above plan, earned revenue is 8% higher, and sales in The Children's Museum Store were up 37% in July and are 8% higher overall for the year.

The museum's commitment to providing outstanding visitor experiences, excellent amenities, and the value of membership are contributing factors. New and exciting offerings for children and families such as Take Me There: Egypt and Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs, as well asthe ongoing popularity of permanent exhibits such as The Power of Children, Dinosphere: Now You're in Their World and the new spaces like the museum's limestone Sculpture Garden, have also played a significant role. In addition, enhanced amenities such as the covered skywalk over busy Illinois Street, free parking, and a dedicated staff that sprinkles a little magic into every visit all come together to make The Children's Museum an extraordinary place for families to spend quality time.

Dr. Jeffrey H. Patchen, president and CEO of The Children's Museum, said "Finding new ways to expand the museum's reach is important. An example is the King Tut exhibit, which has brought in a new audience who may not typically visit a children's museum. Visitors are so enthused when the see the museum that they are purchasing a special Tut Family Membership, which was created to allow them to visit the museum for an entire year." The package includes a one-year family membership to the museum plus a Tut family pack of two adult and two youth tickets.

The growth in membership indicates that more visitors are taking to heart the museum's theme of "join now, visit often." Membership is a valuable option. For the one-time $110 cost of a family membership, an entire family can visit The Children's Museum throughout the year and take advantage of the educational opportunities museum has to offer. Benefits include invitations to exhibit preview days, members-only special events, early admission on First Saturday Member Mornings, community connections that provide special offers to local, family-friendly attractions and discounts in The Children's Museum Store.

It is no surprise that The Children's Museum Store is doing well. Visitors to this colorful and interactive environment know that it is much more than a toy store, offering unique items that appeal to every age. When the museum expanded in June, the enlarged store was reconfigured with an entrance adjacent to the museum's new covered skywalk. Shoppers who want to make the store their destination now have the option of entering it through the museum's free space.

"The Children's Museum is well-situated for growth. I am hopeful that this trend will continue as we move further into the year," said Dr. Patchen. While there is good news on the horizon about the economy bouncing back, it will take time. The downturn in the economy has hit families hard and in response to the increasing number of families in need, the museum is continuing to offer reduced or free admission through the Access Pass program, the Foster Family membership program and Target Free Family Nights.

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The Children's Museum of Indianapolis is a nonprofit institution committed to creating extraordinary family learning experiences that have the power to transform the lives of children and families. The 472,900 square-foot facility houses 11 major galleries. Visitors can explore the physical and natural sciences, history, world cultures, the arts, see how dinosaurs lived 65 million years ago in Dinosphere: Now You're in Their World®, experience Dale Chihuly's Fireworks of Glass and examine children's impact in shaping history in The Power of Children: Making a Difference. The Children's Museum, situated on 20 acres of land in Indianapolis, presents hundreds of programs and activities each year. For more information about The Children's Museum in English and Spanish, visit www.childrensmuseum.org