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From:          Children’s Museum of Manhattan

Contact:      Rubenstein Communications

Adam Miller 212-843-8032, [email protected]

Kyle Sklerov 212-843-8486, [email protected]

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For Immediate Release

Children’s Museum of Manhattan Announces Plan to Move to Bigger Home to Serve More New York City Children and Families

Recently Acquired Space at 361 Central Park West will Allow Museum to Triple its Exhibition Space, and Serve Double the Number of Visitors

(New York, New York – January 23, 2018) – After a multi-year search, the Children’s Museum of Manhattan (CMOM) announced it has purchased the former First Church of Christ, Scientist at 361 Central Park West and 96^th Street as the Museum’s future home. The new building is expected to triple the Museum’s amount of exhibition space while accommodating up to twice as many visitors a year.

CMOM is currently at capacity at its West 83^rd Street location. Attendance is about 375,000 per year, almost double its early years, making it among the most densely visited museums in the city on a visitor per square foot basis.

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for an institution,” said Matt Messinger, Board Co-chair, Children’s Museum of Manhattan. “Our new home on Central Park West will enable the Museum to expand its educational mission and reach twice the number of visitors.” Board Co-chair Shannon Bauer Aronson agreed, adding, “Returning this extraordinary building to public use will benefit both the Museum and all New Yorkers.”

The 1903 building, built by Carrère & Hastings, has stood vacant for years. With the acquisition of the property complete, CMOM will engage an architect and begin the design phase. The Museum is committed to working with a New York-based team practiced in renovating landmarked buildings and expects to move into the new building in late 2021.

“For 28 years, the Archdiocese of New York City has been a gracious landlord. They have stood with us to make the lives of our City’s children better for which we are grateful,” said Andrew S. Ackerman, Executive Director, Children’s Museum of Manhattan. “Now we look forward to collaborating with our many constituents to create a much larger center for learning and discovery that reflects NYC’s diversity.” Ackerman also noted that the exhibits and programs would continue unabated at CMOM’s 212 West 83rd Street site until the move.

The purchase of the building was made possible thanks to CMOM’s board of directors and a few early visionary funders such as Laurie M Tisch and the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund, the Bezos Family Foundation, Nickelodeon, and S. Donald Sussman.

“I am thrilled to be part of the coming transformation of the Children’s Museum of Manhattan,” said Laurie M. Tisch, President, Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund and Campaign Co-chair and Founding Board Chair, Children’s Museum of Manhattan. “The Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund has long supported outreach and education programs that help CMOM serve hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers in every borough. In the coming years, the Museum will be able to reach even more people with fun and educational exhibitions and creative programming.”

CMOM has served as a point of entry to New York City’s cultural life for millions of children since opening in 1973. With additional room, the Museum will be able to feature multiple exhibits and programs simultaneously. This will allow for cross-pollination between content areas – selected for their ability to benefit children throughout their lives – the arts and creativity, early childhood, health and the environment, and world cultures.

Known for making complex topics accessible to family audiences, CMOM’s groundbreaking exhibits have included “America to Zanzibar: Muslim Cultures Near and Far,” “EatSleepPlay™: Building Health Every Day,” and “Art Inside Out.” The latter exposed families to the working processes of artists and provided a welcoming entry point into New York’s world of art and museums.

“The Children’s Museum of Manhattan (CMOM) has been a part of my family’s life since our first daughter was born. We have benefitted greatly – like so many others – from the Museum’s exhibits, programs, classes, and outreach efforts. I am especially proud of CMOM’s commitment to providing a first museum experience for all of New York’s children and families,” noted halley k harrisburg, Campaign Co-chair, Former Board Chair of the Children’s Museum.

In addition to dedicated performance areas, galleries and studio workspaces, the new CMOM will offer visitors amenities targeted to the needs of families. These will include quiet spaces for nursing, simpler stroller storage, and even a café.

Renovations at 361 Central Park West are expected to be complete by late 2023.

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About Children’s Museum of Manhattan

The non-profit Children’s Museum of Manhattan – a citywide resource for children, families and educators – creates experiences at the intersection of the arts, sciences and humanities to help children thrive at home, at school and in the community. Based on West 83^rd Street, the Museum creates hands-on learning environments, programs, and curricula built on evidence-based early research and the museum sciences. In addition to its commitment to delight and educate visitors, the Museum offers tools and strategies for parents, caregivers and educators to help children become lifelong learners. Thousands more New Yorkers also benefit from the Museum’s offerings through its outreach programs at schools, Head Start centers, shelters, libraries and hospitals.  www.cmom.org