CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF PHOENIX

THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF PHOENIX'S MISSION IS TO ENGAGE THE MINDS, MUSCLES, AND IMAGINATIONS OF CHILDREN AND THE GROWN-UPS WHO CARE ABOUT THEM. WITH A FOCUS ON EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT FOR CHILDREN BIRTH TO TEN YEARS, THE MUSEUM PROVIDES HANDS-ON EXHIBITS AND PROGRAMS THAT ENCOURAGE PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, AND COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT. TO ENSURE THAT ALL CHILDREN IN OUR COMMUNITY CAN VISIT THE MUSEUM, WE AIM TO PROVIDE FREE OR REDUCED ADMISSION ACCESS TO MORE THAN 110,000 PEOPLE EACH YEAR THROUGH OUR EVERY CHILD PROGRAM. THIS PROGRAM GIVES LOW-INCOME OR AT-RISK CHILDREN AND FAMILIES ACCESS TO THE MUSEUM'S RICH LEARNING ENVIRONMENT EITHER FOR FREE OR AT A SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCED RATE. DURING FY 24-25, 111,092 VISITORS CAME THROUGH OUR EVERY CHILD PROGRAM AN INVESTMENT IN OUR COMMUNITY VALUED AT $1,528,722. THIS YEAR, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY OF PHOENIX, RSP ARCHITECTS, AND CHASSE CONSTRUCTION, WE BEGAN THE DESIGN PHASE OF OUR UPCOMING EXPANSION OF THE MUSEUM WHICH WILL SEE THE MUSEUM GROW INTO ITS FULL 80,000 SQUARE FEET OF SPACE, PLUS AN ADDITIONAL 10,000 SQUARE FEET OF NEW SPACE DESIGNED FOR TODAY'S YOUNG EXPLORERS.IN NOVEMBER 2024, THE MUSEUM RECEIVED A LANDMARK $2.5 MILLION GRANT FROM LILLY ENDOWMENT INC. - THE LARGEST IN OUR HISTORY. THIS EXTRAORDINARY GIFT WILL FUEL A SIGNATURE EXHIBIT FOCUSED ON CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT AND REFRESH BELOVED AREAS ACROSS THE MUSEUM. THIS WORK IS DESIGNED TO FOSTER CHARACTER SKILLS OF KINDNESS, CURIOSITY, BRAVERY, CREATIVITY, AND RESPECT IN CHILDREN, STRENGTHENING THEM FOR LIFE.ALSO IN NOVEMBER, OUR ANNUAL GALA, CASINO ROYALE, DELIVERED AN UNFORGETTABLE EVENING OF SPARKLING DCOR, A THRILLING LIVE AUCTION, DINNER UNDER THE STARS, AND A HIGH-ENERGY SILENT DISCO THAT KEPT GUESTS DANCING LATE INTO THE NIGHT. THE EVENT WELCOMED 324 GUESTS AND RAISED $304,185 IN SUPPORT OF OUR EVERY CHILD PROGRAM, HELPING THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES ACCESS JOY, CONNECTION, AND LEARNING AT THE MUSEUM. IN JUNE 2025, WE CELEBRATED A MILESTONE MOMENT: WELCOMING OUR FIVE MILLIONTH VISITOR! THAT'S FIVE MILLION CHANCES FOR CHILDREN TO IMAGINE, BUILD, CLIMB, DISCOVER, GIGGLE, AND GROWOFTEN SIDE BY SIDE WITH THEIR FAMILIES, CAREGIVERS, AND FRIENDS. THIS ACHIEVEMENT BELONGS TO OUR COMMUNITY AND ESPECIALLY TO OUR DONORS, WHOSE GENEROSITY HAS MADE THE MUSEUM A VIBRANT, JOYFUL SPACE WHERE PLAY HAS POWER AND EVERY CHILD IS VALUED. IN OUR CONTINUING COMMITMENT TO IDEA (INCLUSION, DIVERSITY, EQUITY, ACCESSIBILITY), THE MUSEUM WAS HONORED TO FEATURE SPECIAL ARTISTS SUCH AS FIESTA MEXICANA DANCERS AND SAMPRADAYA DANCE OF INDIA TO CELEBRATE DIVERSE CULTURES WITH OUR GUESTS. IN ADDITION, WE HAD THE PLEASURE OF DISPLAYING THE ARTWORK OF LOCAL ARTISTS AS WE CELEBRATED HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH IN SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER AND NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH IN NOVEMBER. WE ALSO WELCOMED NINE AMAZING INDIVIDUALS INTO OUR IDEA FELLOWS PROGRAM THIS YEAR OFFERING SEMESTER-LONG, PAID FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES TO COLLEGE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, GIVING THEM VALUABLE HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE WORKING ALONGSIDE MUSEUM STAFF IN OUR EDUCATION, EXHIBITS, MARKETING, AND INNOVATION & LEARNING DEPARTMENTS. ALL IN ALL, THE MUSEUM WELCOMED 360,583 VISITORS DURING FY 24-25.