Press

PRESS RELEASE: Catch the Spirit of New York this Summer at CMOM

05/02/2013

Experience NYC’s Frenetic Energy Through the Work of Artist Red Grooms, Ride High with the NYPD’s “10-Foot Cops,” and Cool Off in City Splash, CMOM’s Innovative Urban Environmental Center!

New York, NY, This summer, make CMOM your family’s first stop in the Big Apple. At CMOM, you’ll see New York City in a variety of ways: Through the eyes of the NYPD and their “10-Foot Cops” mounted unit; the artist Red Grooms’ three-dimensional depiction of such landmarks as Rockefeller Center; and in a city courtyard water play area, surrounded by NYC’s famously tall buildings and water towers. Take home a souvenir that you create in one of the many free workshops held daily throughout the museum. You’ll feel the pulse and energy of the greatest city in the world—all at CMOM this summer.

“Summer is a great time to be a kid and especially in the city, which radiates energy and excitement,” said CMOM’s Executive Director Andrew Ackerman.  “This summer at CMOM, our exhibitions, programs, workshops and events buzz with that same type of energy, with inspiration and a creative spark around every corner. Whether looking at the 3-dimensional, detailed cityscape by Red Grooms, learning how small organisms clean New York waterways or discovering how the city’s water tunnels work, you won’t look at the world the same way after a visit to CMOM!”

Whether you’re a first time visitor or a born-and-bred resident, New York City is a delight to the senses. This summer, CMOM is proud to host an exhibition of eight works by artist Red Grooms, whose painting, sculpture and film provide children and families with an accessible entrée into the world of art and the creative process. His Rockefeller Center (1995), showing here for the first time in New York City, is a three-dimensional mixed media piece. It undulates with the energy of the city, with minute architectural detail that exemplifies Grooms’ work. Literally jumping out of the frame, Rockefeller Center captures the kinetic energy of the midtown Manhattan landmark.

Ever wonder what it’s like to ride through a crowded Times Square on horseback and see the world from 10-feet up? CMOM’s “10-Foot Cops: The NYPD’s Mounted Unit” exhibit provides visitors with a look at the city from the vantage point of New York City’s most popular ambassadors. Learn how horses are trained to navigate streets crowded with shoppers and parades and the special bond that exists between a mounted officer and his four-legged partner. Daily programs allow visitors to make their own police badges, hats and uniform patches. Special programs include a visit from a member of the NYPD charged with the training and oversight of another service animal within the NYPD—dogs trained to sniff out bad guys!

NYC-Themed Makers Workshops
New York is a city of iconic buildings, images and even experiences! This summer, CMOM offers daily, hands-on activities centered on some classic New York City landmarks!

  • Explore Red Grooms’ theatrical use of scale and perspective in his colorful pop-art construction, Rockefeller Center. Create your own three-dimensional artwork of your favorite New York City landmark with model magic and recycled materials. Be a storyteller though art: Who are the people inside and outside of the building and what are they doing?
  • New York Harbor is home to Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty and…Oysters? Learn how these bivalve mollusks are helping to make the harbor healthier—then make your very own oyster shell art!
  • Nothing says New York more than a yellow taxi! In the Taxi Cab Kinetics workshop, you’ll design and test your own NYC yellow cab using wheels and axles of different sizes

City Splash in the Sussman Environmental Center
Cool off, play and learn all at the same time in CMOM’s City Splash. Located outdoors, among a cityscape of rooftops and water towers, CMOM educators run programs explore the power of water to change ecosystems, landscapes and land masses. Special guests such as Matt Malina from NYC H20 discuss the incredible engineering feat that makes New York City’s water tunnels possible!

Located on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, CMOM has five floors of interactive, hands-on exhibits, events and programs. In walking distance to other great New York City institutions such as Central Park, the Natural Museum of History, Lincoln Center and Rockefeller Plaza, CMOM is the perfect destination for families with children ages 0 – 10.

About Children’s Museum of Manhattan
Founded in 1973, the Children’s Museum of Manhattan is New York City’s leading cultural institution dedicated solely to children and families. CMOM inspires children and their families to learn about themselves and a culturally diverse world through unique interactive exhibitions. CMOM presents a full range of activities, exhibits and special performances that stimulate children of all ages. Through multidimensional programs that reach deep into the community, the Museum serves New Yorkers from all backgrounds.  For details on all of CMOM’s programs, please visit www.cmom.org