Did You Know. . .
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There are 341 ACM museum members, representing a total
of 22 countries. Approximately 23 percent of these children's
museums are in the start-up phase.
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Including children's museums, businesses, individuals
and museums with programs for children, ACM has more
than 515 members.
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According to 2007 data, more than 30 million children
and families annually visited children's museums.
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Sixty-five percent of children's museums are located
in urban areas.
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Twenty-three percent of children's museums are located
in suburban areas.
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Twelve percent of children's museums are located in rural
areas.
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Thirty-five percent of children's museums are flagships
in downtown revitalization projects.
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Sixty-two ACM member children's museums are undergoing
a capital campaign in order to build a new
facility or expand an existing facility.
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Four percent of children's
museums are accredited by the American Association
of Museums.
- Eighteen children's museums are green
buildings; 24 museums are in the process of building a green
facility. Therefore, 12 percent of ACM member institutions
have committed themselves to be green
children's museums.
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In 1975 there were approximately 38 children's museums
in the United States. Eighty new children's museums
opened between 1976 and 1990. Since 1990, an additional
125 have opened. There are approximately 78 children's
museums in the planning phase.
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Outreach programs in ACM member museums extended to nearly
4 million people in 2007.
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Eighty-one percent (up from 65% in 2004) of ACM museums
have a dedicated early childhood exhibit space
specifically designed for infants and toddlers.
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Thirty-five percent of ACM museums have an outdoor exhibit
and/or garden.
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Forty-nine percent (up from 34% in 2004) run after school
programs.
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Sixty percent (up from 41% in 2004) develop curriculum
materials.
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Seventy percent (up from 47% in 2004) provide school
outreach.
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The largest children's museum is The Children's Museum
of Indianapolis (Indiana), which has a total of
433,000 square feet.
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The oldest children's museum is
the Brooklyn Children's Museum (New York), which opened
in 1899;
the children's museum field is 111 years young!
* ACM Membership Survey data collected in
the 4th Quarter of 2007.
