The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is proud to announce two exhibits in its 2027 lineup – Barbie™ You Can be Anything™: The Experience and Building Black®. 

“We are delighted to bring back Barbie™ You Can Be Anything™: The Experience, an exhibit that has inspired children and families to dream big and imagine limitless possibilities for their futures,” said Jennifer Pace Robinson, president and CEO of The Children’s Museum. “At the same time, we are thrilled to introduce Building Black®, a breathtaking new exhibit that showcases the power of creativity, storytelling, and Black cultural exploration through an entirely unique artistic vision. Together, these exhibits reflect our commitment to offering experiences that spark curiosity, joy, and wonder, while helping children see themselves, and the world we live in, in brand new ways.” 

Barbie™ You Can be Anything™: The Experience 
Opening Jan. 30, 2027, the career-inspiring exhibit created by The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis in partnership with Mattel, Inc. back in 2020, encourages children to dream big, discover their strengths, and imagine all they can become. 

The exhibit returns seven years after its original debut at The Children’s Museum, following a successful nationwide tour that brought the Barbie brands' message of possibility and empowerment across the country. Now, families will once again be able to learn about new career paths, meet inspiring role models, and explore future possibilities through the power of play. 

After learning more about Barbie and the woman behind her creation, visitors will discover different career paths and see the stories of real-life women who broke barriers in their fields and helped change the world. Learn from powerful role models across history – Amelia Earhart (aviation pioneer), Katherine Johnson (NASA mathematician and physicist), Laurie Hernandez (Olympic gymnast), Florence Nightingale (pioneer of modern nursing), and Ella Fitzgerald (jazz singer) – and get an up-close look at Barbie dolls created in their likeness. The exhibit encourages guests of all generations to reflect on the challenges and accomplishments of these remarkable women while finding inspiration in their own life journeys. 

Barbie has empowered generations to believe that they can be anything. Through more than 65 years of innovation and representation, Barbie has held more than 250 careers – from a president, archaeologist, and pilot to a wildlife photographer, doctor, and everything in between – encouraging children to dream beyond traditional expectations and pursue their passions with confidence. Barbie™ You Can be Anything™: The Experience will wrap in July 2027. More information is available here.  

Building Black®

Opening March 20, 2027, this otherworldly exhibit will immerse families in an ethereal world of Ekow Nimako’s Afrofuturistic and fantastical art sculptures made of all-black LEGO® pieces.  

Ekow Nimako is an acclaimed Ghanaian Canadian, internationally exhibiting artist who crafts futuristic and whimsical sculptures using only black LEGO® elements. With a stunning body of work, Nimako explores Afrofuturistic narratives through an unmistakable aesthetic that transcends the iconic medium.  

In this exhibit, visitors will explore four Realms of immersive and enchanting environments, featuring art from his previous works in Building Black Mythos and Building Black AMORPHIA: Spiritual Starships. Ekow’s Mythos series features animal/human-hybrid sculptures that embody the tales of Ghanaian and African mythology, where AMORPHIA features interstellar spacecrafts inspired by west African mask-making traditions and science fiction. These artistic masterpieces showcase epic Black cultures, surprising visitors by traditional and contemporary African stories that they may have never heard before.  

Feelings of mystique and amazement await in each area of the brand-new exhibit. Discover Yemaya (The Ocean Mother), Maame Wata (The River Spirit), and other interpretations of African myths. Visitors can also build their own sculptures with monochromatic LEGO® brick build stations in the exhibit. Building Black® will wrap in late Spring 2028. More information is available here.  

About Mattel 
Mattel is a leading global play and family entertainment company and owner of one of the most iconic brand portfolios in the world. We engage consumers and fans through our franchise brands, including Barbie®, Hot Wheels®, Fisher-Price®, American Girl®, Thomas & Friends™, UNO®, Masters of the Universe®, Matchbox®, Monster High®, Polly Pocket®, as well as other popular properties that we own or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our offerings include toys, content, consumer products, digital and live experiences. Our products are sold in collaboration with the world’s leading retail and ecommerce companies. Since its founding in 1945, Mattel is proud to be a trusted partner in empowering generations to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential. Visit us at mattel.com.  

About The Children's Museum of Indianapolis      

We ignite joy, wonder and curiosity by creating powerful learning experiences for children and adults. For more information about The Children's Museum, visit www.childrensmuseum.org and follow us on social media @childrensmuseum.   The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is proud to partner with Riley Children’s Health, Old National Bank, Ice Miller LLP, and The Heritage Group.