The Freeman Foundation approached ACM with a goal of educating U.S. children about Asian cultures because children's museums represent the fastest growing cultural institution in the US Over the last decade the number of children's museums in the US has grown by 100%, reaching over 31 million children and families in 2001.

Freeman Foundation Chairman Houghton Freeman stated "The Freeman Foundation believes that children's museums best convey cultural information to children by providing hands-on exhibits and programs that stimulate curiosity and motivate learning. Children's museums represent a powerful and fun way to reach America's children and their families and teach them about the culture, history and traditions of Asia. With this initiative, we are building bridges of understanding that will last a lifetime."

After a thorough proposal and review process facilitated by ACM, the Freeman Foundation trustees selected seven museums and museum collaborative's to develop, design, build, and travel interactive exhibits about Asian cultures to children, their families, and school groups.

Janet Rice Elman, Executive Director of the Association of Children's Museums commented, "The Freeman Foundation has provided an unprecedented opportunity for ACM museum members to educate US children and their families about diverse cultures. Informal learning environments allow children's museums to play a special role in preparing future generations to understand the global village they are living in. We are proud to be part of an effort to teach the millions of children, families, and communities we reach about the bonds that link cultures, as well the differences that make cultures unique."

The selected exhibit projects are:

• Austin Children's Museum's (TX) Bum's Musical Treasure Hunt: A Korean Tiger Finds Harmony and Fun
• Brooklyn Children's Museum's (NY) Postmark Japan
• The Children's Museum, Boston (MA) and Capital Children's Museum's (DC) Five Friends from Japan: Children in Japan Today
• The Children's Museum of Houston's (TX) Dragons and Fairies: Exploring Vietnam through Folktales
• Children's Museum of Manhattan's (NY) Monkey King: A Journey to China
• Madison Children's Museum's (WI) Hmong at Heart
• Minnesota Children's Museum (MN) and The Children's Museum, Seattle's (WA) A Walk in Japan: Exploring Japanese Culture through Art and Anime

Each exhibit will travel to 10 children's museums resulting in a total of 70 hosting museums in communities around the US Exhibits will range in size from 900 to 2,000 square feet and will be funded in amounts ranging from $750,000 to $1,100,000. Additionally, each hosting museum will receive a $15,000 presenting grant. Total exhibit funding is $5,945,000 and hosting grants will total $1,050,000 for a total investment of $7,000,000. The exhibits will premiere in January 2004 and will begin to travel in July 2004.

Click here for updated information about the Asian Exhibit Initiative

ACM is the professional service organization that endeavors to expand the capacity and further the vision of children's museums around the world. ACM's vision is to bring children and families together in a new kind of town square where play inspires lifelong learning. Founded in 1962 as a support group for directors, ACM has broadened its services and purpose as an international association
with over 400 members.

The Freeman Foundation is a private grant-making foundation based in Vermont. It was established in 1992 to support greater understanding between Asia and the United States.