Media Kit

To reach the Public Relations & Marketing Department, call 901-320-3172 or Email Director of Public Relations & Marketing

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Fact Sheet: “Spark an Imagination! Light Up a Mind!”

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Mission
The Children’s Museum of Memphis creates memorable learning experiences through the joy of play in hands-on exhibits and programs.

Core Values

  • The intersection of play and hands-on learning
  • A positive impact on the community
  • A positive family experience
  • A complement to classroom education
  • Inclusiveness
  • Excellent customer service
  • Nurturing appropriate partnerships in the community
  • Following the best practices of the children’s museums field

What We Are
A private, nonprofit (classified as a 501(c)(3) organization) educational children’s museum.

Location
Located at 2525 Central Avenue, adjacent to the Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium and Mid-South Fairgrounds. The museum occupies over 54,000 square feet in three buildings formerly housing the National Guard Armory.

History

  • 1985 Children’s Museum Planning Group formed.

  • 1987 The Children's Museum of Memphis incorporated as a private, nonprofit educational corporation.

  • 1988 The museum signed a lease with the City of Memphis for the National Guard Armory complex.

  • 1990 After raising $3 million for construction, opened to the public on June 16.

  • 1991 Celebrated first birthday in June with a first-year attendance of over 200,000 visitors.

  • 1993 Celebrated third birthday with cumulative attendance of over 500,000 visitors.

  • 1995 Celebrated fifth birthday with cumulative attendance of over 750,000 visitors.

  • 1997 Celebrated seventh birthday with cumulative attendance of over one million visitors.

  • 1999 Began a $6 million capital campaign to expand the museum by 16,000 square feet with four new exhibit galleries.

  • 2001 Finished the $6 million capital campaign (raised $7.2 million) to expand the museum. Groundbreaking ceremony and construction began on March 23.

  • 2002 Museum expansion completed and opened on August 3. Welcomed the museum’s 1,500,000th visitor.

  • 2005 After welcoming the museum’s 2,000,000th visitor, the board announces a new campaign to double the endowment to $2 million.

Other Awards or Recognitions

  • CMOM has been featured in national publications including Southern Living, USA Today, Family Fun, AAA Today/AAA Going Places, Boston Globe, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Parent, United Airline’s Hemispheres, Woman’s Day, Better Homes & Gardens, The Wall Street Journal, Dallas Morning News, National Geographic Traveler, New York Daily News, Working Mother and many others.

  • CMOM has been featured on NBC’s “The Today Show.”

Collections
We are not a collecting museum in the traditional sense, and this is one of the primary ways in which we differ from other local museums. The Children’s Museum uses teaching collections, providing objects to be handled, learned from and explored by the inquisitive museum visitor.

Exhibits (20,000 sq. ft.)
The museum has five galleries housing a number of exhibits.

Cityscape Gallery: 11 exhibits are housed in this “child-size” environment and include these city amenities:

  • Tree House

  • Kid’s Market (miniature grocery store)

  • City Friends (fire, police & ER)

  • Garage/Child Passenger Safety Van

  • Playscape Park (for toddlers only)

  • Skyscraper (22 feet tall)

  • Your House, My House/Windows to the World

  • Time Square/Sir Dance-A-Lot (clock tower)

  • Bank

  • Van Vleet Gallery (exhibits change every 3-4 months)

  • Smiles, Inc. (dental health)

Art Collection: small collection of traditional art and folk art pieces

Art Smart: has a focus on the visual and performing arts

Football Lockers: children dress as real football players

Going Places: includes a real airplane cockpit, flight simulator and hot air balloon

Growing Healthy: exhibit components focus on how the body works and healthy living

Honeybee Hives: two honeybee colonies live in glass hives for observation

Lighthouse: an icon guard shack in the shape of a lighthouse

WaterWorks!: contains a 50-foot replica of the Mississippi River

Traveling Exhibits

  • Playing Together: Games! is a traveling exhibit that was designed and built by The Children’s Museum of Memphis. It premiered in Memphis and has been traveling the United States and Canada since 1994. The exhibit has been presented in numerous other museums and will continue to be rented and displayed by museums across the country.

  • Toolville is a traveling exhibit that was designed and built by The Children’s Museum of Memphis. It premiered in Memphis in 1999. It teaches children about the six simple tools used in everyday life. Two otter mascots, Henry and Olive, take visitors on a journey through the town of Toolville. The exhibit has been presented in numerous other museums and will continue to be rented and displayed by museums across the country.

  • Your House, My House is a traveling exhibit that was designed and built by The Children’s Museum of Memphis. The exhibit focuses on family life in homes from around the world as it allows visitors to experience other cultures and why a house is built the way it is. It premiered in Memphis in 2003 and travels to other museums throughout the United States and Canada.

  • Living in Space is a traveling exhibit that was designed and built by The Children’s Museum of Memphis. It premiered in Memphis in 2007. The exhibit focuses on living in space and life aboard the International Space Station.

Attendance

  • Last year, the museum welcomed 156,649 visitors.

  • Since opening 18 years ago, the museum has had over 2.5 million visitors.

  • The average annual attendance for the museum is 150,000. 

  • Visitors were from all 50 states and over 40 foreign countries.

  • The museum currently has about 3,000 family memberships.

  • Through the “Yes, EVERY Child!” sponsored admissions program, admission scholarships are provided annually to children and families in need.

Education Programs

  • In addition to the museum’s exhibits, we also present a wide variety of educational programs and special events both for organized groups such as school groups and for drop-in visitors.

  • We also offer a Summer Teen Volunteer Program.

Media & Publications

  • Our website, cmom.com, was launched in 1996 and receives over 2,310,252 hits each year (which is 176,340 unique visitors).

  • Our Sparks newsletter is posted six times a year.

  • The museum has received numerous awards for publications, letterhead, collateral pieces, special programs and media kits: three Addy Awards; Shelby County Environmental Improvement Commission Education Award; two American Association of Museums Design Competition Awards; four Tennessee Association of Museums Award; nine VOX Awards; Silver IABC Quill Award; Silver IABC Quill Award of Merit; and two Printing Industry Association of the South Awards.

Collaborations

  • Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau

  • Association of Children’s Museums

  • Association of Science & Technology Centers

  • Tennessee Association of Museums

  • Volunteer Center of Memphis

  • Shelby County Education Association

  • Metro Memphis Attractions Association

  • Youth Museum Exhibit Collaborative

  • Tennessee Department of Tourist Development

Facilities
The museum has 20,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space as well as a Museum Store, Kids' Café/Kids’ Coke Corner, two Birthday Party Rooms, an Educational Classroom and the Malco 4 Kids (complete with stage & a full kitchen).

  • Museum Building - 33,522 sq. ft. (Maximum Occupancy Load 1,813)

  • Administration Building - 5,572 sq. ft.

  • Storage Building - 14,969 sq. ft.

Museum Store – Privately Operated by Lee & Susie Person

  • Includes a range of educational and exhibit-related toys, games and books.

  • The monthly rental fee is used for educational programs, exhibits and general operating costs.

Staff & Volunteers

  • 20 employees (13 full-time staff & 7 part-time staff).

  • 250 volunteers (regular volunteers, Summer Teen Program volunteers & special events and fundraising volunteers).

Governance
The museum is governed by a 30-member board of trustees that meets quarterly.

Membership
There are different membership levels offered with varying benefits. Membership includes unlimited admission for one year, email subscriptions to Sparks newsletter, invitations to exhibit previews, and discounts on Museum Store purchases, museum programs, special events and birthday parties.

Finances

  • The annual operating budget is $1,450,500.

  • Funds are generated by private contributions (16.5%) and earned income (83.5%).

Admission

  • Free Babies (Children Less Than Age 1)

  • $9 Per Person (Ages 1-100)

  • Museum Members are admitted in accordance with the membership policies.

  • A $5.50 rate is offered to school groups of 10 or more children with advance reservations. Other groups pay a rate of $6 for 10 or more children with advance reservations.

  • Special admission fees may be charged for special exhibits, activities or events.

Primary Audience
Youngsters 12 years old and younger in the Mid-South region. Support programs are aimed at parents, educators, child care providers, and tourists. All museum exhibits and programs follow the State of Tennessee curriculum education guidelines and complement all school curriculum.

Hours

  • Monday-Saturday, 9am-5pm

  • Sunday, 12 noon-5pm

  • Closed these major holidays: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Parking
The museum provides free parking for all museum patrons.

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The Children’s Museum of Memphis Galleries & Exhibits

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Art Collection
Although The Children's Museum is not an art museum, it still has a nice and unique collection of traditional art and folk art pieces in a small collection. All of the artwork has been donated to the museum by various artists: Guy Cobb’s Braille Paintings Collection; Michael Berenstain’s Papa Bear Color Drawing; Leo Monahan’s CMOM Paper Logo 1993; Magnolia Manor in memory of Katherine Joyner; Embroidery Guild of Memphis panels; and Roger Goldenberg’s sculpture donated by Tom Haas.

Art Smart Gallery
Visual and performing arts are explored in this gallery. Children become “stars” on stage as they dress in costumes and use props or direct a puppet show. Visitors paint, sculpt and draw in the art studio, draw their own faces in the portrait studio, weave colorful patterns on a giant loom, play a color wheel game, and create computer animations. Children marvel at different art styles as they study famous artists. Musical talent is also discovered through the use of a karaoke machine.

Cityscape Gallery
Bank
The world of banking and finance are very interesting to children. Kids are thrilled to write checks to receive play money or check out an ATM card to receive play money from the museum's own special ATM. Visitors also love to try to crack open safes with different number combinations. Thanks to SunTrust Bank.

City Friends
Discover the special people in their community who respond to emergencies and provide safety. Children put on fire fighting equipment and hop on the museum's real shiny red fire engine to put out pretend fires. Visitors young and old like to jump on the real police motorcycle. People love sitting in a real sheriff's car - pretending to drive it, dressing as a police officer, making "arrests," watching the blue lights and more. Thanks to Shelby County Sheriff’s Department & Sheriff Mark Luttrell and David Burton.

Garage/Child passenger Safety Van
Children gravitate to the minivan, where they pretend to drive and learn about child passenger safety. They also build a car, change a tire and take a virtual driving tour of Memphis. Kids see how a drive train works, how brakes make a vehicle stop, and how an engine cranks and works. Children decide what makes a car “happy” or “sad.” Another area allows them to dress-up and explore the career rolodex and play a fun computer scavenger hunt. Parents also learn about proper installation of child passenger safety seats. Thanks to AutoZone & Governor's Highway Safety Office.

Kid’s Market
Opportunities abound here for role-playing and interactive learning in the familiar, yet fascinating environment of a grocery store. Children get a kid-size shopping cart and shop for grocery items. They then scan the items on real cash registers to total the price. Kids learn about math and healthy food choices. Thanks to Kroger.

Playscape Park
This separate play area welcomes children from birth to age four and their parents and caregivers. It provides small children with a safe, yet stimulating environment to play and learn. A tree house, child-size cottage and texture trees on which children change the leaves to represent the various seasons are the exhibit highlights. The painted trees that line this miniature neighborhood were created by Memphis artist Nancy Cheairs. These trees are replicas of the unique trees found in her landscape paintings. Also includes a basketball goal; concession stand with awning and changeable menu; climbing structure; puppet theater; hopscotch court; “water” pool; fishing poles and fish; park animals seats; and chef outfits, grill, cash register and cooking tools. Thanks to Junior League of Memphis.

Skyscraper
This 22-foot-tall vertical maze of wood and wire is designed exclusively for children ages four and older. Kids climb up through the eight stories of this structure and make choices on the various pathways to take to the top. Motor, reasoning and social skills are enhanced in this climbing adventure. Thanks to The Promus Companies.

Smiles, Inc.
Dental health is the subject of this interactive exhibit with a science laboratory, dental office and diner. Children pretend to be dentists using dental instruments on a purple patient, Pearl E. White, in a dental chair. Visitors also assemble the Big Mouth puzzle and then practice brushing and flossing techniques; discover how long to brush teeth through a fun song; take a virtual trip to the dentist; view tooth x-rays; learn about the Tooth Fairy and other dental careers; chart healthy smile habits; and play fun computer games. Thanks to The Alliance to the Memphis Dental Society.

Time Square/Sir Dance-A-Lot
This exhibit is an adventure into fun times! Besides the giant clock tower, there's an "underground" area with flashing lights, mirrors, holograms and music allowing kids to dance and sing along to the different types of music. Thanks to William B. Dunavant, Jr.

Tree House
Promoting saving natural resources and conservation through everyday living is the focus of this exhibit. It engages visitors in the life cycle of a tree and the important role that a tree plays in the Earth’s ecological environment. The exhibit also touches on ecosystems, sustainability and tree products. Children feel like they have walked into the forest when entering the exhibit. There are five areas inside: Collaborative Mural; Slat Block Table; Stump the Stump – Grandma Willow; Tree Slab; and Paper/Packaging/Cardboard Activity Area. Thanks to International Paper.

Van Vleet Gallery
Traveling exhibits featured in this gallery change every 3-4 months. Thanks to Van Vleet Foundation.

Your House, My House/Windows to the World
Children get a sneak peek into house design and construction. Children pretend to be architects, interior designers or construction workers as they discover all phases of designing and building a house. The Windows to the World area takes kids to six different countries as they learn about other cultures and how other people live. Thanks to Anderson-Tully, BellSouth Mobility, Buckeye Technologies, Inc., Century Hardware, Financial Federal Savings Bank, Golden Rule Lumber Centers, Greater Memphis Indian Community, Memphis Area Home Builders Association & Trustworthy Hardware.

Football Lockers
This crowd pleaser allows children to dress as football players by trying on real sports gear. Thanks to University of Memphis Football.

Going Places Gallery
Children take to the air in this gallery - an adventure into flight and distribution. There's a flight simulator, air traffic control tower, hot air balloon, wind tunnel and a real airplane cockpit to explore. Thanks to FedEx.

Growing Healthy Gallery
See how your body works and learn about the importance of healthy living in this gallery. Kids climb through the arteries of a giant heart, hear their own heartbeats amplified, ride a bicycle on Mars or the Great Wall of China, perform surgery in a hospital, and build the food pyramid. It is also the home to Stuffee, a seven-foot-tall rag doll that unzips to reveal what organs are inside the human body.

Honeybee Hives
Two separate honeybee colonies live in hives outside the WaterWORKS! windows. Each hive has “glass” walls turned toward the window to allow visitors to “see inside the world of the honeybee.” Fun, hands-on bee activities include an indoor hive to take apart, beekeeper suits to try on, books, educational cards and bees in acrylic to study up close. A “Honeybee Facts” sign allows children to learn about this fascinating insect. Thanks to Memphis Area Beekeepers Association.

Lighthouse
The guard shack in the design of a lighthouse is a fun addition to the museum's landscape that provides added security. It has become an icon for the museum since part of its mission is to “Light Up the Minds” of children!

WaterWORKS! Gallery
Kids go on a trip down the Mississippi River in this gallery. Experiment with the flow of water in a 50-foot model of the mighty river, study real fish, build a bridge, see it “rain” inside, work a pump in an aquifer and see how water “works” as it turns a water wheel. Science principles and the history of the river will come to life.

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Programs, Special Events & Traveling Exhibits at The Children’s Museum of Memphis

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Ongoing Educational Programs

  • Art Smart a la Carte

  • Creative Corner

  • Eco Kids Club

  • Home Grown Science

  • The Kid Chronicles

  • Monthly Art Program

  • Move & Groove Mondays

  • My First Book Club

  • Okie Dokie Karaoke

  • Pint Sized Science

  • R&R Storytime

  • Search Party

  • Special Workshops

  • Tales & Tunes

  • Wild & Wacky Wednesday

Special Events

  • December 31, 2008: New Year’s at Noon

  • February 7, 2009: Cirque du CMOM

  • May 2009: CMOM Golf Tournament (date TBA)

Traveling Exhibits

  • Through September 28, 2008: Curious George: Let's Get Curious!

  • October 11, 2008-January 4, 2009: Color Play: Exploring the Art & Science of Color

  • January-May 2009: Chinese Culture

  • May-September 2009: Top Secret: Mission Toy

  • September 2009-January 2010: Cities

  • January 23-May 16, 2010: Run, Jump, Fly: Adventures in Action

  • May-September 2010: Shipwrecks

  • September 2010-January 2011: Come to Gullah

  • September 2011-January 2012: Balance

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