Coming off a successful 35th anniversary year, Kidspace Children’s Museum has been awarded a $200,000 challenge grant from the San Gabriel Valley based Ann Peppers Foundation to support the goals of the Museum’s current Campaign for the Future of Kidspace focused on new exhibits and educational programs.

“Kidspace has come so far, and I am very proud and thankful for our progress and the increase in the number of children we are serving,” said CEO Michael Shanklin. “By awarding us this grant, the Ann Peppers Foundation has given us a meaningful tool to allow more families who love Kidspace to be a permanent part of our future.”

The Foundation will match every dollar Kidspace raises up to $200,000. The Museum is encouraging friends, members, and those in the community who recognize the important role the institution has played for the last 35 years to take advantage of this opportunity to double their impact by making a gift to the Campaign for the Future of Kidspace.

“Our continued growth and positive feedback from families, teachers, and museum colleagues reinforces for me that we are connecting with our young guests and their caregivers,” Shanklin shared. “If we can meet this challenge together, I am confident that Kidspace will continue our trend of growth and create new ways to inspire and nurture the potential of all children.”

Funds raised will support the new exhibits and educational programs being made possible by the Campaign. This year that will include a major investment in new exhibits and experiences in the award-winning Kidspace Gardens. Plans are being finalized for a number of amazing new creative, kid-driven experiences that embrace the Arroyo Seco environment.

To date Kidspace has raised more than $11 million toward its $13 million Campaign goal. With an innovative exhibit master plan in place, Kidspace has already made over $5 million in improvements in the last 3 years to the Museum in the form of the new exhibits and operational upgrades.

New exhibits made possible by the Campaign for the Future of Kidspace so far include: the Galvin Physics Forest, Imagination Workshop, and S. Mark Taper Foundation Early Childhood Learning Center. Other accomplishments of the Campaign to date include technology and infrastructure upgrades to the Museum facilities and campus.

If you are interested in participating in the Campaign for the Future of Kidspace and helping Kidspace meet the Ann Peppers challenge please go to www.kidspacemuseum.org/donate or call (626) 449-9144 and speak with Kidspace Director of Development, Erica Blodgett.

About Kidspace

Kidspace Children’s Museum is an industry leader in the field of informal, free-choice education whose mission is to nurture the potential of all children through kid-driven experiences, inspiring them to become joyful, active learners. In it’s over 35-year history Kidspace has become known for seeking out new ways to bring children and families together to learn and play.

Located on nearly three and a half acres in Pasadena, California, Kidspace Children’s Museum has more than 40 hands-on exhibits, in addition to its outdoor spaces, programs, and activities that are designed to encourage a child’s growth and development through exploration of the environment, investigation in science, and artistic expression. Kidspace is located at 480 N. Arroyo Blvd., in Brookside Park, Pasadena, California, adjacent to the Rose Bowl Stadium. Free parking is available in Rose Bowl Parking Lot I. Kidspace is open Tuesday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Kidspace is open seven days a week between Memorial and Labor Days). Admission for all adults and children one year and older is $11.00. Children under one year and members are free.

Kidspace Children’s Museum is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that exists to enrich the lives of children. For more information about exhibits, events, and other activities, please visit: www.kidspacemuseum.org or on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/kidspacechildrensmuseum.