March 27, 2008 — The Met Continues Popular “Art in the Afternoon” Educational Series
February 1, 2008, Derry NH — Derry Children’s Museum and Martial Arts Studio Partner to Offer Free Child Safety Workshop
January 11, 2008, Derry NH — Derry Medical Renews Long-Term Commitment to the Met Children’s MuseumMet Membership
October 23, 2007, Derry NH — Changes Make Southern New Hampshire Children’s Museum an Even Better Value
New Sustainable Farming Exhibit to Provide Earth-Friendly Education in a Kid-Friendly Environment
April 8, 2008, Derry NH — Thanks to sponsor Stonyfield Farm and other partners, the Met Children’s Museum will open its first new exhibit in two years during Earth Week later this month.
Artists sketches showing the new structures
and features of the new exhibit (click to
enlarge).
The Farm Scene Mural for the wall
to the right of the exhibit.
Sponsored by:
Made possible by these Met Partners:
Organic yogurt producer Stonyfield Farm in Londonderry stepped up as a major Met sponsor during last August’s Save the Met campaign, and remains the museums biggest sponsor. After several months of work by Stonyfield designers and by architects from Met business member and partner Lavallee/Brensinger Architects in Manchester, construction of the new Sustainable Farming Exhibit is now underway.
Consistent with the Met’s “learn by playing” philosophy, the new exhibit will feature a variety of interactive displays and activities set in a farm environment. Highlights include a dairy barn and silo structure, raised vegetable bed, rolling farm fields mural, and other fun and educational features. (See illustrations on the Met’s website.) Materials for the exhibit were donated by Met partner Benson’s Lumber & Hardware in Derry.
The new exhibit will open with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Earth Day, Tuesday April 22, at 11:30 AM. The public is welcome to attend (admission is free until 1:00 pm).
“Just as the Met is all about helping children learn while having fun, we at Stonyfield are all about doing business in a way that helps the planet,” said Maureen Wolpert, brand director at Stonyfield Farm. “We’re pleased and excited to combine the two in this great new Sustainable Farming Exhibit at the Met.”
Continuing the sustainable farming theme, Earth Week’s Pre-School Workshop, Toddler Time, and other regular Met programs will focus on organic farming and renewable resource activities.
Special Earth Week Gift Bags will also be available to program participants, and to members and paying families coming to see the new exhibit on Earth Day and the following Saturday and Sunday, April 26–27 (while supplies last). Packaged in a stylish, ultra-compact ChicoBag reusable shopping bag provided by Stonyfield, these will include donations by various Earth-minded firms, including organic snacks from Annie’s Homegrown; Recycline Preserve Jr® toothbrushes made from recycled Stonyfield yogurt cups; Earth-friendly cleaners from Seventh Generation; discount coupons, seeds, and activity kits from Stonyfield Farm; and a variety of fun stickers, magnets, and other organic farming themed material. Special premiums will also be available for families purchasing a new or renewed Membership during Earth Week.
For more information on the exhibit and Earth Week activities, call the Met or visit www.childrensmet.org. For information on Met supporters, visit their websites:Stonyfield Farm, celebrating its 25th year, is the world's leading organic yogurt company. Its all natural and certified organic yogurt, smoothies, milk, cultured soy, frozen yogurt and ice cream are distributed nationally. The company advocates that healthy food can only come from a healthy planet, and its organic ingredient purchases keep over 60,000 farm acres free of toxic, persistent pesticides and chemical fertilizers that can contaminate soil, rivers and drinking water. To help reduce global warming, Stonyfield offsets all of the C02 emissions generated from its facility energy use. The company also started a nonprofit called Climate Counts (climatecounts.org) which shows people how they can help fight climate change by the way they shop and invest. Stonyfield also donates 10% of its profits to efforts that help protect and restore the Earth. For more information about Stonyfield Farm, its products and initiatives, visit www.stonyfield.com or call 1-800-PRO-COWS.
Established in 1991, the non-profit, 501(c)(3), Children’s Metamorphosis museum brings 30,000 visitors to downtown Derry from towns throughout southern New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts. Focused on imaginative role play and stimulating education for children ages two through eight, the Met features a variety of themed interactive exhibits, several small animals, a rentable Birthday Party Room, an outdoor garden area, and an active program of daytime and evening workshops and events. (Trademarks are the property of their respective owners.)
# # # Download this release (PDF) # # #
March 27, 2008, Derry NH — The Met Children’s Museum today announced that a second series of its successful new Art in the Afternoon program will run with units in April, May, and June.
Different from more craft-oriented activities, this serious art program for kids ages 5 - 8 teaches art techniques featuring a new medium each month. The first class in each four-week unit introduces the medium and covers representative examples of art and artists using it. The next weekly classes involve directed projects employing the medium, and an art show caps the fourth, final class of each unit.
"I see a big difference in the children from the first class to the fourth,” said Gail Maas, the Met’s resident artist and instructor. “At first they are shy and unsure of their abilities and the medium, but their confidence and excitement grow with each class. By the end they’re very proud of what they have accomplished and eager to present their work at the art show. The student’s creativity and imagination are inspiring."
The art show for the ten students in March's unit on Watercolors is today, Thursday, March 27, at about 4:00 at the Met.
While the first Art in the Afternoon unit in January was canceled due to low enrollment, interest snowballed in February and March, making those units increasingly successful. Pre-registration for a second three-month session has just opened up, with the following new classes:
Session 2: Unit 1
Paper Panache — April 3, 10, 17, and 24
This unit uses paper as a medium, and students will create collages and photomontages, sculptures, mobiles and mosaics.
Session 2: Unit 2
Pretty Cool Printing — May 8, 15, 22, and 29
The art of printing or stamping dates back to ancient times. The students will work with various mediums and tools such as gadget printing, sponges, and linoleum blocks to create their own works of art.
Session 2: Unit 3
Paper Mache — June 5, 12, 19, and 26
Students will use this versatile medium to sculpt and create works of art, jewelry, and masks. (Bring an old shirt as a smock because this unit can get messy!)
The cost for each four-class Unit including all materials is $70 (only $60 for Met Members; see the website for info on joining). Advanced registration is required, at the Met or by mail or phone using the form available on the website.
See www.childrensmet.org or call (603) 425-2560 for more information.
Established in 1991, the non-profit, 501(c)(3), Children’s Metamorphosis museum brings 30,000 visitors to downtown Derry from towns throughout southern New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts. Focused on imaginative role play and stimulating education for children ages two through eight, the Met features a variety of themed interactive exhibits, several small animals, a rentable Birthday Party Room, an outdoor garden area, and an active program of daytime and evening workshops and events.
# # # Download this release (PDF) # # #
February 1, 2008, Derry NH — In recognition of recent growing concerns for the safety of area children, the Met Children's Museum and Tim Barchard's Professional Martial Arts Academy, both in downtown Derry, will hold a free Stranger Danger Workshop for kids ages three and up.
Stranger Danger Workshop
Saturday, February 23, 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Tim Barchard's Professional Martial Arts Academy, 15 E Broadway, Derry NH
The Stranger Danger Workshop will help kids recognize and avoid dangerous situations, and help prepare them to cope when safety is compromised. The emphasis is encouraging defensive awareness, and teaching children the importance of using their words (to say "no"), head (to stay calm), and feet (to run for safety).
"It's unfortunate that today's realities make us expand the Met's focus beyond our learn-by-playing specialties," said Tracy LaPlante, executive director of the Met, "But we're moved to do all we can to help our young members and other kids live happily in a world in which those realities do indeed exist."
“The goal of the workshop is to increase stranger awareness in today’s youth,” said Tim Barchard, founder and owner of Professional Martial Arts Academy. “We are excited to be part of this project with the opportunity to give back to the community by helping to keep it safe.”
Advance registration is requested, online, by phone (425-2540), or at the Met. Visit www.promaacademy.com for more information on Tim Barchard’s Professional Martial Arts Academy. For more information on the Workshop and to register online, visit the Met's Safety page.
# # # Download this release (PDF) # # #
Doctor Ted Brooks and other physicians from Derry Medical Center and Londonderry Family Practice present an exhibit sponsorship check to Met children's museum director Tracy LaPlante. (Click on image for full-size photo.)
January 11, 2008, Derry NH — The Met Children’s Museum today announced that long-time supporter Derry Medical Center and Londonderry Family Practice Center has renewed its commitment to the Met in the form of a three-year sponsorship of a major museum exhibit.
Derry Medical Center’s sponsorship of the Family Health Center Exhibit makes the local medical institution one of the largest financial supporters of the Met. The medical-themed exhibit is one of the museum’s most popular, and will be getting refurbished and refreshed as a result of the renewed sponsorship.
“We are pleased to support an organization that does so much for young families in our practices and for the community at large,” said Tom Buchanan, administrator for DMC and LFPC. ”The Met’s goals of helping children develop and keeping families healthy and happy are consistent with our own.”
This new sponsorship renewal makes Derry Medical one of the first to benefit from the Met’s recent introduction of improved sponsor packages. Better website presence, new museum signage, free passes for sponsor employees, and other features are designed to help make supporting the non-profit organization rewarding on multiple levels.
“With no state or local funding and needing to keep services accessible to a diverse community, the Met really relies on corporate support such as this generous commitment by Derry Medical,” said Tracy LaPlante, executive director of the Met. “In return we offer great visibility and the gratitude of hundreds of member families, and we hope other firms choose to step forward soon while Met sponsorship opportunities remain available.”
Derry Medical Center and Londonderry Family Practice Center are physician-owned and have served the Greater Derry area since 1963. They offer the most extensive selection of board certified family doctors in New Hampshire as well as the most female doctors to choose from. For more information, please call either location at 537-1300 or visit them on the web at www.derrymedicalcenter.com. Derry Medical Center is located at 6 Tsienneto Road in Derry and Londonderry Family Practice Center is located at 6 Buttrick Road in Londonderry, NH.
Established in 1991, the non-profit, 501(c)(3), Children’s Metamorphosis museum brings over 30,000 visitors to downtown Derry from towns throughout southern New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts. Focused on imaginative role play and stimulating education for children ages two through seven, the Met features a variety of themed interactive exhibits, several small animals, a rentable Birthday Party Room, an outdoor garden area, and an active program of daytime and evening workshops and events. Learn more at www.childrensmet.org.
# # # Download this release (PDF) # # #
December 6, 2007, Derry NH — The Children’s Metamorphosis today announced new annual membership options that make the Met experience more accessible while also offering families more for their educational/entertainment budget.
Membership has cost either $75 a year for access to just the Met, or $125 a year for that plus free entry to the national network of Association of Children’s Museums (ACM) member institutions. These rates remain optionally available through December, but are replaced by two new regular annual membership packages:
Current members who purchased an old Met-only $75 membership after August 31, 2007, can optionally upgrade to the new Met Family Membership (with ACM privileges) for just $6.25 per month (e.g., $25 if the membership was purchased in September). Members who purchased an old $125 membership with ACM access after August 31 will automatically receive a three-month extension of their annual membership.
A third new option makes it possible to give a Met membership to needy families. The $75 donation-only annual Met Family Local Membership gives discounts and unlimited admissions (to the Met only) for a six-member extended family. A local family services organization will help select qualified families and oversee the donation process.
A final new option, the Met Business Membership, lets organizations offer the educational fun of the Met as a benefit or incentive for employees or a gift for customers. For $250 annually, a company receives 50 customized one-time free visit passes. Employees also get member discounts on Met programs and parties, and a special 10% discount on purchasing their own Met Family Membership.
The Met membership changes arise from dual concerns of making the popular museum accessible to all who want to use it and keeping the non-profit operation financially viable. A recent study by the Board of Directors shows that the new rates make the Met extremely competitive with other New England children’s museums. This review also led to another longevity-enhancing change: the Met’s admission fee will go from $5 to a still-attractive $6 effective January 1, 2008.
See www.childrensmet.org for full details on memberships, programs, and more.
Established in 1991, the non-profit, 501(c)(3), Children’s Metamorphosis museum brings over 30,000 visitors to downtown Derry from towns throughout southern New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts. Focused on imaginative role play and stimulating education for children ages two through seven, the Met features a variety of themed interactive exhibits, several small animals, a rentable Birthday Party Room, an outdoor garden area, and an active program of daytime and evening workshops and events.
# # # Download this release (PDF) # # #
Check to Landlord Marks Successful Completion of Save the Met Campaign
October 23, 2007, Derry NH — The Children’s Metamorphosis today announced it has finished paying off the significant back-rent debt announced in July. This debt could have led to the children’s museum closing August 31, but instead a community-wide “Save the Met” fundraising drive succeeded in raising the $30,000 owed the landlord plus additional funds needed for other debts and expenses.
In receiving the final check, landlord representative Jack Dowd said “The economic necessities made for a tough experience, but we’re all extremely impressed with the commitment of the Met’s many supporters, pleased to end up with a better relationship than ever before, and thrilled to see the rebirth of this valuable community resource.”
Met Executive Director Tracy LaPlante gives final payment to Depot Square Holdings Executive Director Jack Dowd. (high--res photo)
“We’re grateful for the landlord’s patience and enthused by the community’s incredible support,” said Tracy LaPlante, executive director of the Met. “With dedicated, proven staff members and the expanded energy and resources of a new Board of Directors, we’re already rolling out new programs and workshops, further improving our exhibits and learning centers, and working hard to provide a safe and fun experience for children in Derry and all the towns nearby.”
Launched August 1, the Save the Met campaign generated almost $49,400 in pledges through September — 95% of which have so far been converted to cash — plus another $5,800 in donations, for a total of over $55,000 (exceeding the goal of $50,000).
Efforts are now focused on resuming the many normal services of the Met and further improving the experience it provides for young children and active families. New Pre-School Workshops and Family Fun Programs are scheduled through the fall, field trips from some of the 100 schools and preschools using the Met are starting up, and the popular Party Room is booking fast with birthday party reservations. Information on all this can be found at the Met’s improved and growing website, www.childrensmet.org.
Parallel efforts are aimed at improving the museum’s operating efficiency, strengthening its financial foundation, and boosting daily attendance and annual memberships. The board of directors has tripled in size, and multiple committees and projects are well underway. (Additional qualified board members are still welcome.) Fundraising remains a high priority: research into various grants and endowment possibilities is moving forward, but too many potential business sponsorships remain unfulfilled. The board is working to better articulate the many benefits a business derives in gaining visibility in one of the area’s most-visited locations while also supporting one of the community’s most cherished organizations.
Established in 1991, the non-profit, 501(c)(3), Children’s Metamorphosis museum brings over 30,000 visitors to downtown Derry from towns throughout southern New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts. Focused on imaginative role play and stimulating education for children ages two through seven, the Met features a variety of themed interactive exhibits, several small animals, a rentable Birthday Party Room, an outdoor garden area, and an active program of daytime and evening workshops and events.
# # # Download this release (PDF) # # #
Tracy LaPLante
Executive Director, The Met
(603) 425-2560
Paul Lindemann
Montage Marketing
(603) 434-3534
• Met Fact Sheet (PDF)
Black & white files:
• EPS (for Illustrator etc.)
• PNG (good for Word)
• GIF (200 px wide, for web)
Color files:
• EPS (for Illustrator etc.)
• PNG (good for Word)
• GIF (200 px wide, for web)
