An Extraordinary Year,
An Extraordinary Challenge

It is hard to overstate how extraordinary 2009 has been for The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. From the creative spark of LEGO® Castle Adventure to the splendor of Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs, our special exhibits have opened eyes and minds. We opened our Welcome Center and celebrated the arrival of our newest icons—the brachiosaurs “Seymour” and “Riad”—and we unveiled Take Me There: Egypt, setting a new standard for engaging our more than 1 million annual visitors.

As the winter holidays approach, so do the openings of two special exhibits. Jolly Days, our annual extravaganza of winter fun and holiday cheer, is newly designed and enlarged, offering exciting new experiences as well as traditional favorites such as the Yule Slide. On December 19, the much-anticipated exhibit Barbie™: The Fashion Experience opens to the public. Museum members can preview the exhibit on December 18. Barbie™: The Fashion Experience will teach visitors to take clothing designs from the workroom to the runway. The exhibit celebrates 50 years of this beloved fashion icon.

Help Us Meet the Kresge Challenge
None of this would be possible without sustained support from our community. Like so many other institutions, The Children’s Museum saw a significant drop in its endowment—26 percent—as a result of the 2008 financial crisis, and we will continue to face fiscal challenges long after the economy recovers.

So in this season of giving, I urge you to remember The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis and help us take advantage of a wonderful opportunity. The Kresge Foundation has awarded a $1.5 million challenge grant. To receive the grant, we must raise approximately $2.6 million by the end of the year!

Every gift of every size counts—including documented pledges received over a period of up to five years. Thanks to The Kresge Foundation, your additional 2009 support through a gift or pledge commitment will be worth even more to The Children’s Museum. And as always, thank you for your commitment to the museum.

Happy holidays and best wishes in the new year,

Jeffrey H. Patchen
President and CEO