Childrens Museum of Los Angeles Receives Largest Private Donation Ever...

Chief Executive Officer of the Children's Museum of Los Angeles (CMLA), Cecilia Aguilera Glassman, announced the award of a $10 million private donation intended to partially fund exhibits for the new museum and future operations.

"This major gift kicks off a new day for the Children's Museum of Los Angeles," Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said. "For almost thirty years the museum has stimulated the imagination of our children. It's my hope that this initial $10 million will in turn stimulate other Angelenos to pitch in and help open a new chapter in the museum's history."

Having opened its doors at the original 17,000-square-foot facility in the Civic Center of Los Angeles on June 11, 1979, the Children's Museum of Los Angeles catered to well over five million patrons. In light of exponential yearly attendance, limited space and a land lease nearing expiration, CMLA's leadership sought a venue that could better serve the entire greater Los Angeles community.

The City of Los Angeles awarded the Children's Museum of Los Angeles a 50-year lease on an acre of land in the Hansen Dam Recreation Area to serve the children of Los Angeles and neighboring counties. The Hansen Dam Recreation Area was selected because of its pristine location near the Museum's former facilities in Downtown Los Angeles, as this location provides the appropriate backdrop to CMLA's new environmentally conscious form and function. Construction of the new museum building was completed in September 2007 leading into the final phase of development: exhibit fabrication, installation and testing.

"This $10 million donation shows that fundraising for the Children's Museum of Los Angeles has reached the next level of its development, no longer needing to rely primarily on public funds, and instead maturing to begin bringing in the large, private donations needed to finish and operate the museum," Councilman Richard Alarcn said. "This a new day for CMLA and I know that this generous donation will inspire additional private donations for this amazing museum that will be enjoyed by children and adults from across the region."

"I am overwhelmed by the generosity of this anonymous patron because this substantial donation infuses serious momentum into our fundraising efforts during this critical Capital Campaign phase," said Glassman. "This timely gift greatly helps to ensure that the Children's Museum of Los Angeles will meet its stringent fundraising deadlines. Simultaneously, this award enables us to take one huge leap forward in achieving our ambitious goal to complete fabrication of exhibits for our opening in March 2009."

The new Children's Museum of Los Angeles is located in a 57,000-square-foot facility at the Hansen Dam Recreation Area, which comprises 1,400 acres of natural green space.

CMLA's innovative building was designed by world-renowned architect Sarah Graham, principal architect of Angeli/Graham/Pfenninger/Scholl Architecture P.A., whose extensive work in creating "Green" buildings will help to ensure that the new children's museum will be a work of sustainable architecture. Additionally, world-renowned exhibit design firm Edwin Schlossberg, Inc. modeled the new museum exhibits after an ecosystem in which the elements of earth, air, fire and water serve as a complement to the distinct, environmentally sustainable design and structure of the new children's museum.

The re-designed Children's Museum of Los Angeles at Hansen Dam will be a laboratory designed to capture the imagination of children of all ages, races, religions and abilities. CMLA is poised to provide opportunities for children to communicate ideas beyond the realm of their everyday experiences. CMLA's new strategic location will provide both a natural and educational setting in the northeast San Fernando Valley to impart a unique understanding of the environment. This location also offers exciting opportunities for programs and exhibits about native people, health, safety and the environment.

Set to debut March 2009, the relocated Children's Museum of Los Angeles will offer a wide array of amenities to educate, entertain and empower children, and the adults who care for them. CMLA's new San Fernando Valley location is surrounded by an aquatic center, riding stables, an 18-hole golf course, seven miles of hiking trails, a universally accessible playground and a new LEED Platinum Certified Lake Terrace library.

About the Children's Museum of Los Angeles:

Founded in 1979, the Children's Museum of Los Angeles has served nearly five million children and families. The new Children's Museum of Los Angeles will provide children and youth a fun, interactive, safe and imaginative space where they can explore thoughts, produce creations and communicate ideas beyond the realm of their everyday experiences. The museum is a recognized leader in the field of children's education and provides cutting-edge programs that allow visitors of all ages to learn through music, theatre and the visual art. CMLA will provide programs and exhibits that transcend age, experience and imagination; young visitors will be empowered to set their own pace as they safely explore the depths of their creativity and intellect. For additional information, please visit

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