Child Magazine Names the Art Institute Most "Kid-Friendly Museum in the Country

National Publication Unveils Results of "The 10 Best Art Museums For Kids"

January 27, 2006

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Erin Hogan, (312) 443-3664
Chai Lee, (312) 443-3625
Child Magazine: Marisa Ollins, (212) 389-5332

Child magazine announced today the results of the first-ever data-driven survey to identify the "10 Best Art Museums For Kids," naming the Art Institute of Chicago as the best art museum in the United States for kids. The results are the culmination of a four-month investigation, which examined more than 100 museums nationwide, and will be published in the March 2006 issue of Child magazine, on newsstands nationwide February 14, 2006. The #1 ranking will be celebrated at the Art Institute on Saturday, February 25, 2006, at the museum's "Behind the Lions Day."

James Cuno, President and Eloise W. Martin Director of the Art Institute, said that the museum "was thrilled by the number one ranking" and that "the results of Child magazine's survey will help bring our outstanding programs and accessibility to a very wide audience."

"Exposing children to art at an early age is so important," says Miriam Arond, editor-in-chief of Child magazine. "It inspires their creativity and imagination and fosters an appreciation of color, beauty, and all the visual possibilities." Recognizing the importance of such stimulation, Child undertook an unprecedented in-depth look at museums and their programming, classes, and other activities for children and families.

With the assistance of an advisory board of experts, Child established many categories of assessment, including the depth and variety of family and kid tours and classes, educational programs for school groups, the accessibility of the exhibits to kids, staffing, and the quality of printed guides and other materials designed to enhance the experience of families. Child drew their pool of institutions directly from the members of the Association of Art Museum Directors, eliminating facilities that were closed for renovations, were revamping their children's program, or offered no family activities.  Child then sent the remaining 100-plus museums 42-question surveys, which were developed with the help of family experts. The Art Institute of Chicago emerged as the leader of the cultural centers that have made the visual arts accessible and fun for kids.

Since September 1992, families that visit the Art Institute have gravitated to the Kraft Education Center, a multi-purpose space that is a haven for parents and their kids to explore art together as a family. The center currently features a long-term interactive exhibition, called Faces, Places, and Inner Spaces, that combines original narrative paintings and sculpture with hand-on activities that engage children in making their own stories. An accompanying book, Faces, Places, and Inner Spaces: A Guide to Looking at Art, will be published in March. Another gallery in the Kraft Education Center highlights changing shows of original illustrations for childrens' book throughout the year, including exhibitions of the Caldecott medal winners as well as the prize-winners of the Coretta Scott King Award. Artist demonstrations and other family program activities are ongoing throughout the year, and the Family Reading Room offers a quiet space for sharing books and a place to relax between gallery visits.

Annual events for children at the Art Institute include a "Holiday Treasures and Tea" event for families with children; "Holly Days" family activities the last week of December; "Behind the Lions" Family Days several times a year with storytelling, performances, and specially planned programs; and "Kaleidoscope" in August, our largest free family day celebration.

The Kraft Education Center also produces a wealth of materials to acquaint parents and children with the museum. Behind the Lions: A Family Guide is a colorful and lively introduction to the museum that children can use before they visit. It includes activities to get children curious and intrigued with what they will see when they visit. A Family Floor Plan provides information on what's where in the museum, with kid-friendly bright colors and fun illustrations to make navigating the halls a pleasure. Recently, the Art Institute released their second audio tour for kids, the Lions Trail Audio Tour, which allows children to connect various objects in the collection to one another with the feeling of a treasure hunt. And a special shop just for kids--the Woman's Board Family Shop near the Kraft Education Center--sells fun and educational materials that suit a child's interests and pocketbook.

Jean Sousa, the director of interpretive exhibitions and family programs at the Art Institute, acknowledged Child's recognition, saying, "This is wonderful. There are many impressive family programs in art museums across the country, and I am honored that we have been chosen as number one. We are looking forward to welcoming many more parents and children at our family workshops, drawing classes, picture book exhibitions, and family festivals."

With a national announcement of the results on CBS's "The Early Show," more families than ever before will be made aware of the riches the Art Institute holds "behind the lions."

About Child and Meredith Corporation

With a circulation of 825,000, Child (www.child.com) is the magazine for "Raising Kids with Smarts and Style." Published by Meredith Corporation (www.meredith.com), Child is a fast-paced, confident and contemporary lifestyle magazine celebrating today's families. Child offers over five million readers the latest news and research that stimulates, inspires and provokes thought.

Meredith is one of the nation's leading media and marketing companies with businesses centering on magazine and book publishing, television broadcasting, integrated marketing and interactive media. The Meredith Publishing Group features 25 subscription magazines-including Better Homes and Gardens, Family Circle, Ladies' Home Journal, Parents, Child, Fitness, and American Baby--and approximately 150 special-interest publications. Meredith owns or operates 14 television stations, including properties in top-25 markets such as Atlanta, Phoenix and Portland, and an AM radio station.