Years of Play! Mission Statement The Grand Rapids Children’s Museum celebrates childhood and the joy of learning by providing an interactive, hands-on environment that inspires learning and encourages self-directed exploration. Board of Directors President President-Elect Vice-President Secretary/Treasurer Past President Member-at-Large Maggie Lancaster Community Volunteer Michael Lamfers Plante Moran, PLLC Jason Schnelker Schnelker, Rassi & McConnell, PC Sharon Smith Aquinas College Stephen Scholler Wells Fargo Rachael Ruiz WOOD TV8 Peter Albertini RE/MAX Sunquest Maxwell Barnes Miller Johnson Dana Boals Partners Worldwide Donald Burke Rehmann Paul Lothschutz H & S Companies Carla Morris Glenn Morris & Associates Christopher Rauch Priority Health Dale Rietberg Varnum Law, LLP Tony Roussey Elzinga & Volkers, Inc. David Sebastian Sebastian Foundation Ed Wong-Ligda Grand Valley State University A message from the Executive Director and Board President Reflecting back upon the 2011-2012 Fiscal Year fills us all with gratitude, pride and smiles. It was a very solid year of progress for the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum, moving us forward as we began to celebrate our 15 years of play. The year began with the successful conclusion of a generous match challenge gift by The Hansen-Balk Foundation. The Balk Challenge enabled us to upgrade our IT system and replace a 13 year old database program, along with several other technological improvements. The renovation of our interior a few years back, was extended to our exterior with new awnings and paint. Probably most noticeable, was our totally revamped website, logo and brand. We feel all new inside and out. Admittedly, most of our young customers probably didn’t appreciate this necessary infrastructure improvement. But, they did appreciate the new Imagination Playground Exhibit which arrived in July. This new exhibit is a permanent example of the joys of open ended play. The large foam blocks and parts and tubes, can be transformed into anything a child (or adult) can imagine. We have seen first-hand what such play can produce; unbridled creativity, exercise, building, cooperation, making new friends and joy. The completely immersing fun of playing with the Imagination Playground has taught how to persevere, how to rebound from failure (sometimes things fall down), and the great feeling which comes from accomplishing something you have never, ever done before. That is why the GRCM exists. About eight thousand friends also enjoyed the 2012 Kids Artfest. This festive day of exploration of the arts, in all its mediums, during ArtPrize has become a staple in this area for involving the children of our community in the celebration of art. That, too, is why the GRCM exists. So….we are filled with gratitude for all the donors who made this year possible, pride in giving another year of enriching play to West Michigan, and smiles……just because we are happy. We hope the same for you. Sincerely, Robert W. Dean, Executive Director and Maggie Lancaster, Board President Exhibits Have you ever played a wrench-o-phone or heard the sound of a whale drum? These are just two of the unusual instruments in the Just Playin’ Around exhibit that debuted this year at the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum. Our exhibits are designed to accommodate a variety of learning styles and to fulfill objectives of the Michigan Department of Education’s curriculum for preschool through grade three. Hands-on, interactive exhibits encourage innovative thinking by using objects in uncommon ways. Through the focus on play and fun, mathematical and scientific concepts are introduced; theories are tested and proven. Our staff is trained to encourage experiential learning by utilizing openended questions and other techniques that inspire thinking. Teachers tell us that, as their students play during their Discovery Field Trips, classroom learning is reinforced. The children are having so much fun they want to stay and play. Families enjoy the opportunity to play together. Family bonds are strengthened. Stress is relieved through simply playing and laughing together. Through interaction with other children or with adults, our young guests are building their communication skills, learning to problem-solve, and discovering the fun of working together. Programs A new monthly-themed program initiative was introduced in FY2012, allowing guests to explore the topic of the month in many ways. For example, during January’s Get Healthy programs, visitors could traverse an obstacle course, learn how to prepare nutritious snacks from a local chef, experience yoga for kids, get up and groove at a dance party, and more. There is no additional fee for general programming which is offered Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until noon and Thursday evenings from 5:30-7:30. Throughout the year, local performers and experts share their talents by leading programs. We also collaborate with other local organizations like the John Ball Zoological Society, Blandford Nature Center, Paws with a Cause, Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, West Michigan Dental Society, the CARE Ballet, and Farm Bureau. Programming is on a dropin basis to accommodate guest schedules. Toddler Tuesday programs provide multi-sensory learning fun for children ages 1 ½ to 3 years of age from 10 a.m. until noon. Caregivers are encouraged to join in the play. Some of the activities offered for toddlers and their adults include making a textured book, waving streamers and dancing to music, creating with play-doh, and beanbag bowling. Events Our 15th birthday year provided lots of opportunities to celebrate and, since our official birthday is July 31st, the year-long festivities will continue into FY2013. The fun began with the opening of our gift to the community. After an official ribbon-cutting ceremony, children helped unwrap a birthday present, our new exhibit, Imagination Playground! These giant blue block-like pieces were an instant hit with our guests, who immediately began building forts, rocket ships, spiders, and everything you could imagine. PALS members enjoyed a special Birthday Party event and each month throughout the year brought even more reasons to celebrate: Tooth Time, Doc’s Day, Dairy Day, Halloween and, the biggest party of them all, Kids’ ArtFest. The fun never stops as kids imagine, explore, and create. During FY2012, there were two Kids’ ArtFest events. Each was filled with performances by artists who urged kids to sing, dance, hula-hoop, sculpt, paint and just enjoy discovering the arts. Held in conjunction with the city-wide ArtPrize event, Kids’ ArtFest is a free day of fun for families. We are grateful to our corporate and individual sponsors for making Kids’ ArtFest possible. Access Service to the Community The Grand Rapids Children’s Museum is committed to the principle that all children deserve a safe, healthy environment for play. Our Access Programs provide for admission scholarships for day care and school classrooms. Service Memberships are given to local agencies and organizations who serve children and families in stressful situations. Library Memberships allow patrons to check out an admission pass for up to two adults and four children to visit free of charge. Thursday Family Night admission is only $1.50/person. Children under the age of one year are always free and Adults over 65 receive reduced admission. Our annual Kids’ ArtFest event is free. Supported through grants as well as corporate and individual gifts, our access programs account for approximately one-quarter of the Museum’s admissions per year. The Grand Rapids Children’s Museum developed a new outreach program, Discovering Play. Offered in collaboration with area agencies that serve preschool children and families, Discovering Play shares the importance of play in child development. Caregivers discuss how their child’s play can improve school readiness and help develop social skills their child will use throughout life. Having fun together and making memories that build strong family relationships is emphasized. This new program is made possible through grants and philanthropic gifts. Thank You Contributors October 1, 2012 - Septemeber 30, 2013 Annual Campaign Support Champion $10,000 and above Sebastian Foundation Believer $5,000-$9,999 Anonymous Explorer $1,000-$4,999 Kenneth & Judy Betz Timothy & Dana Boals Dan Clark Gerald & Jane Feldman Tom & Mickie Fox Michael & Brenda Lamfers Dr. Charles & Mary Luttenton Jack H. Miller Tony & Carolyn Roussey Stephen & Anne Scholler Robert & Aleicia Woodrick Dreamer $500-$999 Architectural Metals, Inc. in honor of Vos Glass Inc. Brewery Vivant Cornucopia Family Foundation Robert Dean & Susan Hopkins Donna Hockstra Johnson Controls Foundation Howard (Buzz) Miller Chris & Melissa Rauch Dale & Sharon Reitberg Sharon Smith through United Way Mary Kay Thome-Shaw Kevin & Sarah VanderWoude Imagineer $250-$499 Charles & Sandra Bennett Gerald & Suzanne Callahan Blake & Mary Krueger Jeffery & Jennifer Mesler Glenn & Carla Morris Jon Eric & Gina Notarnicola PH Gives Glenn & Claudia Place Robert & Marcia Schaub James & Deb Sears Jeff & Deanna Stout The Gremel Group, Inc. Marilyn Titche Ed Wong-Ligda & Carol Ligda-Wong through United Way Seeker $100-$249 Anonymous Julia Atherton Jean Breay Michelle Johnson Covington Alan & Michelle Davis John & Marilyn Dooge Dr. Peter G. & Carol Hallas Dirk & Victoria Hoffius Hospira Employee Giving Campaign Foundation Match Marguerite B. Jones Howard & Linda Keegstra Claire & Debbie Larson Charles & Janet Lippert Linda B. Patterson Shirley J. Silverman Bob & Jan Stone Patrick Ziegler Kids Art Fest Support Nick & Shellie Adamy Anonymous Apple Tree Christian Learning Centers Arts Council of Greater Grand Rapids Elzinga & Volkers, Inc. Farmers Insurance Group H&S Companies Law & Weathers Meijer Miller Johnson Northern Trust Notions Marketing Plante & Moran, PLLC Rehmann Schnelker, Rassi, & McConnell, PLC Technology Improvements Nick & Shellie Adamy Architectural Metals, Inc. The Hansen-Balk Foundation through United Way Daun Bichler Larry & Christine Burns Barbara Dean Robert Dean Farmers Insurance Dirk & Victoria Hoffius Lisa Klaasen Dr. Charles & Mary Luttenton Kevin & Jessica Lyons Mason & Company Donald & Susan McClure Thomas & Dawn McDonald Dr. James & Sharon Norman Jeff & Deanna Stout Clayton & Sara J Trapp Stephen Tularak John Tuttle Eric & Sally Warren Robert & Aleicia Woodrick Accessibility Support Amway Corporation Fifth Third Bank Steelcase Foundation VanderWeide Family Foundation Wege Foundation Have-A-Heart Scholarship Keller Foundation Program/Exhibit Support Advanced Radiology Services, PC Alloy Exchange, Inc. ArtPrize Grand Rapids Bee Steel, Inc. Betten Baker Chevrolet Buick BISSELL Corporation Chemical Bank Doug & Amy DeLeeuw Farmers Insurance Forest Hills Foods Gerber Foundation Holton’s LP Gas Independent Bank Lacks Enterprises, Inc. Momber Pharmacy Nucraft Furniture PNC Foundation Retina Specialists of Michigan West Michigan Dental Foundation Julie Wolf Wolverine World Wide Foundation Memorials In Memory of Bettie J Beahan (by Elizabeth Hines) In Memory of Peg Cope (by Robert & Aleicia Woodrick) In Memory of Michael Moy by Donald & Lisa Allen by Robert & Judy Bellamy by Jim & Joan Boyce by Walter & Susan Culver by D. Dopp by Gail Holmes & Roxanne Denson by Diane Marks by Tracey Salzemnieks In Memory of Bob Thome by Jeffery & Georgia Gietzen by Glenn Morris & Associates by STOPWOWGR Committee Endowment The Hansen-Balk Foundation (donated to the GR Community Foundation) In-Kind Support 2B Studios A-1 Accurate AllRout, Inc. Alro Plastics Amway Corporation Arenacross Armentality/ Laura Armenta Julia Atherton Barnes & Noble, Woodland Mall Victor S. Barnes Blue Fish Aquariums Brewery Vivant C.G. Witvoet & Sons CARE Ballet Celebration Cinema Chemical Bank City of Grand Rapids Scott & Sandra Cole Contract Specialties, Inc. DeYoung Orchards DVS Creative Family Fare- Allendale Flowerland Freedom Manufacturing David & Mary Freyer Jeff & Georgia Gietzen Grand Rapids Griffins GRCC Suzuki Strings Great Turtle Toys/Caddywampus GVSU Renaissance Club Mayor George Heartwell Humane Society of West Michigan John Ball Zoo Kevin Kammeraad & Family Kent Conty Farm Bureau Koetsier’s Greenhouse Dr. Scott & Maggie Lancaster Macatawa Bank MadCap Coffee Company Magnum Engineering Maranda - WOOD TV 8 Marshall Music Co. Meijer Corp. Meyer Music James G Perry, The Balloon Guy Susan Pickering Glenn & Claudia Place Pooh’s Corner/Sally Bulthuis Recycle Bin Box Schuler Books & Music Emily Stavron Schaefer Alfred B. Swanson Foundation Happy Taylor TCBY The Edge Salon Robin Toldo, Chef Toldo Aaron D. Vande Wege West Michigan Shredding West Michigan Therapy Dogs 2012 EXPENSES Fundraising $101,908 AdministraIon $188,881 Program $809,463 Total Attendance for FY2012: 178,313 Total Number of Students visiting on Discovery Field Trips: 16,107 Total Expenses FY 2012: $1,100,252 * * DepreciaIon Expense FY 2012: $121,837 Data for FY2012 Annual Report Total Number of Students on Discovery Field Trips who received scholarships: 10,590 Percentage of above receiving scholarships: 66% 2012 REVENUE Other $35,512 Fund Development $389,520 Number served in General Programs: 6,050 (KIDS) + 13,184 (ADULTS) = 29,234 Admissions $422,838 Membership $151,170 Total Revenue FY 2012: $1,037,715 Rental $38,675 Number served in Toddler Programs: 1,357 (TODDLERS) + 1,147 (ADULTS) = 2,504 #PALS Memberships as of 9/30/12: 2,478 #Volunteers: 464 #Volunteer Hours: 6,522