Stats and Trends

Did You Know. . .

• 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.

• Including children's museums, businesses, individuals and museums with programs for children, ACM has more
  than 515 members.

• According to 2007 data, more than 30 million children and families annually visited children's museums.

• Sixty-five percent of children's museums are located in urban areas.

• Twenty-three percent of children's museums are located in suburban areas.

• Twelve percent of children's museums are located in rural areas.

• Thirty-five percent of children's museums are flagships in downtown revitalization projects.

• Sixty-two ACM member children's museums are undergoing a capital campaign in order to build a new
  facility or expand an existing facility.

• Four percent of children's museums are accredited by the American Association of Museums.

• Fourteen children's museums have LEED-certified green buildings; 26 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.

• 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.

• Outreach programs in ACM member museums extended to nearly 4 million people in 2007.

• Eighty-one percent (up from 65% in 2004) of ACM museums have a dedicated early childhood exhibit space
  specifically designed for infants and toddlers.

• Thirty-five percent of ACM museums have an outdoor exhibit and/or garden.

• Forty-nine percent (up from 34% in 2004) run after school programs.

• Sixty percent (up from 41% in 2004) develop curriculum materials.

• Seventy percent (up from 47% in 2004) provide school outreach.

• The largest children's museum is The Children's Museum of Indianapolis (Indiana), which has a total of
  433,000 square feet.

• The oldest children's museum is the Brooklyn Children's Museum (New York), which opened in 1899;
  the children's museum field is 109 years young!
  
  
  

* ACM Membership Survey data collected in the 4th Quarter of 2007.