The mission ofProvidence Children’s Museumis to inspire learning throughactive play and exploration.

2009 was a year of …

Tremendous growthInnovative ideas sprouting and blossomingReaching out to cultivate new communityconnections and partnerships

While continuing to nurture kids and families

And staying true to the Museum’s roots

We served167,264 total

visitors in 2009– a new recordby 16 percent!

Thirty-sixpercent of all

Museum visitors– more than

60,000 people –were admitted at

no charge.

Forty percent of the $1.7 millionoperating budget went to providingservices to low-income children and

families in need.

Families Togetherserved 169 familiesin need of positive

shared play andlearning experiences.

$210,000 grant from the Economic Recovery Act –expanded our AmeriCorps team and outreach to after-

school and summer programs at new partner sites

We burned ourmortgage!

“I have watchedthe Museum

expand beautifully.Great job!”

– Museum visitor

Won severalpublication awards

from the NewEngland Museum

Association,including first place

for our website

Hosted five screenings and discussions of thedocumentary film “Where Do the Children Play?”

with community partners

Launched “PlayWatch,”a community discussion listserv

about the importance of play

“I love the way theMuseum has taken

up this major issue!”

– PlayWatch listservsubscriber

We won the inauguralLeaders in Innovation Award from the

New England Museum Associationfor our advocacy about the importance

of children’s unstructured play.

“I learned againabout the value ofplay and restricted

TV time.”– Museum visitors on play

“Play takes time.The longer they’re

here, the more theyget out of it.”

“Somehow you knowwhat kids of all ageslove and provide a

wonderful outlet forcreativity.”

– Museum visitor

“Thanks for makingit easy to be a good

mom.”

– Museum visitor

“This is the best children'smuseum I have ever seen because

it is a true PLAY museum.”

– Dr. Elizabeth Goodenough, scholar, author andactivist in children's studies

“This place isvery

important.”

– Museum visitor

Providence Children’s Museum100 South Street

Providence, RI 02903(401) 273-5437

www.childrenmuseum.org

Come play, come learn!