In August 2009, we found ourselves in the position of being the first organization to participate in the Heinz Endowments' new "In the Spotlight" web blog.  I'll admit, it was scary to be first.  But we decided to make the most of it, and for the two weeks we were "in the spotlight," something wonderful happened. We came together, laughed a lot, danced the chicken dance and produced a look at the Children's Museum that was uniquely ours. 

You may ask, why the chicken dance? To that we say, why not? We have a chicken on the landing page of our website which, in many ways, helps us remember to not be so literal, to look at things with a child's eye and to appreciate things for their sheer silliness. And any day you can flap your wings and "bok, bok" at your place of work is a good day. 

So this year's annual report is drawn largely from the Museum's "In the Spotlight" material.  Maybe it's a little unorthodox – it's definitely colorful, decidedly personal and distinctly the Children's Museum.  Many thanks to the Heinz Endowments for coaxing it out of us.  We hope you enjoy it.

Sincerely,

Jane Werner
Executive Director