ABOUT US

Mission


The Zimmer Children’s Museum is dedicated to teaching people about the BIG IDEAS of global citizenship, community responsibility, and cultural sensitivity.

Our mission is to promote values that help make a better society through interactive learning, creative self-expression and art experiences for children and families.

Overview

The Museum is a unique cultural institution located on Museum Row in Los Angeles, featuring hands-on exhibits for children 0-8 to explore BIG IDEAS in creative and inspiring settings. The Museum’s permanent and rotating exhibits, some of which have Jewish cultural themes, are the focal points from which programming about BIG IDEAS is used to engage diverse participants in learning about one another. Seasonal or topically themed programs and festivals for families are conducted on Sundays featuring art workshops, theatre, and music for children and parents. A series of classes for toddlers and parents are offered year-round to begin to introduce BIG IDEAS to the youngest child. School tours for pre-kindergarten through second grade classes support curriculum. Joint customized programming with other organizations meets the needs of their clients, such as children with severe special needs. To expand its reach, Museum staff conduct outreach to bring BIG IDEAS and arts activities to community-based locations such as shopping malls, neighborhood block parties, public schools, etc.

For youth ages 9-18, the youTHink division conducts arts education programs in school and community settings for 2,400 students annually, most of whom attend low-income, low performing public schools. youTHink utilizes the power of art to foster students’ critical thinking about contemporary issues, engage diverse learners, promote literacy, and empower students to find and use their voices to take action for positive social change. youTHink’s School Services conducts arts-based lessons in classrooms for students to explore the major social issues confronting our world today. Each youTHink lesson addresses a different set of themes and uses a different base for art projects. Lessons are aligned with California content standards in the arts. youTHink also provides professional development opportunities for teachers. youTHink’s Youth Services activities are designed to introduce concepts of social justice, social responsibility and community involvement to middle and high school students beyond the classroom, using the arts as a primary vehicle to engage students. youTHink offers customized training sessions about a range of topics, including diversity, corporate responsibility, teambuilding and strengthening critical thinking for corporations, businesses, and community organizations; and curates exhibits of students’ social commentary art for display in various community locations.

Show&tell is a major exhibit featuring works of art by numerous artists related to a theme: 2004-The Art of Connection (phones), 2006 The Art of Time (timepieces), 2007 The Art of Harmony (musical instruments). Like the Museum and youTHink, this exhibit combines the power of art to educate on a theme and raise social awareness about issues of interest to participating artists.


Museum Staff

President’s Advisory Board
The President’s Advisory Board represents a critical component in both our educational outreach and development programs. It is comprised of a very select group of leaders recognized for their exemplary dedication and support for children, education and community.

Women’s Leadership Council
Jenna Grosfeld, Chairperson
Allison Berg, Founding Chairperson
Arezou Berghoff
Heather Dula
Tracy Forester
Denine Jordan
Dori Katz
Dana Kaufman
Amy Kestenbaum
Brown Kogen
Jessica Limor
Sharon Meron
Hillary Milken
Naomi Molner
Nicole Nathanson
Dana Pachulski
Elana Parver
Kate Phillips
Alisa Ratner
Jessica Rosenberg
Stephanie Sandler
Neda T. Sarraf
Kelly Sloan
Sabina Spigel
Nadina Szew
Shari Weiner
Jodi Weingarten
Natalie Wolfe
Jennifer Wooster
Shirin Yadegar

Sponsors
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