News Release

//FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE//

Media Contact: Christine Hamele (816) 931-8900, chamele@parriscomm.com

Scott Cahill (913) 909-1332, cahill@kc.rr.com

Wonderscope Children’s Museum and The Children’s Museum of Kansas City

Sign Letter of Intent to Merge Organizations

Building World-Class Children’s Museum is Much Brighter as Merged Entities

Kansas City, Kansas/Shawnee, Kan. (February 18, 2008) - Wonderscope Children’s Museum (WCM), a children’s museum which provides fun, interactive exhibits and programs that integrate the arts, science and literature for children and The Children’s Museum of Kansas City, an organization that provides an innovative, hands-on learning environment where young children explore, discover, and imagine through play, have signed a letter of intent to explore formally combining both organizations. The letter of intent includes evaluating the feasibility of combining both boards to form one remaining entity with the ultimate goal of building a world-class children’s museum for the Kansas City region. The proposed name of the joined organization is Wonderscope Children’s Museum of Kansas City.

“Kansas City is a growing city with a commitment to supporting the arts, science, technology, and education,” said Dr. Mary Abbott, The Children’s Museum of Kansas City Board Chair. “A combined children’s museum would bring tremendous value to Kansas City by strengthening the educational resources available to young families and by creating a new destination-based tourist attraction. Moreover, we look forward to continuing to work with underserved communities throughout Wyandotte, Johnson and Jackson Counties, and across the region, through a combined organization.”

“While there are important aspects of this potential merger which remain to be worked out, this strategic combination is a great opportunity because both organizations bring strong leadership to the partnership and can leverage their shared core competencies in children’s education,” said Kevin Tubbesing, Wonderscope’s Board Chairman. “Both boards have been passionate about the vision of having a world-class museum experience for the children in our area and believe that a formal and collaborative approach to achieving this vision is more sustainable and will allow us to get bring a brighter future to the children of Kansas City.”

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Children’s Museum Letter of Intent

A joint “Museum Collaboration Task Force” has been formed and is charged with performing due diligence and working through legal and financial issues as well as the organizational structure and governance. The task force is expected to meet through the end of March with a final recommendation being made to both boards in April 2008.

“Both organizations have been a valuable part of children’s education in Kansas City for more than 18 years. They have demonstrated a commitment and passion to providing a first-class educational experience. A merger of these two organizations will serve the growing needs of the families of the region, bring state of the art exhibits to the area, and attract funding that will enhance sustainability. Furthermore, it will advance their ability to build a world class children’s museum in Kansas City,” stated Bob Regnier, President of Bank of Blue Valley and Kansas City’s Philanthropist of the Year.

Wonderscope Children’s Museum

Wonderscope Children’s Museum’s mission is to spark a life long love of learning in children through the power of play. Fun, hands-on learning experiences are provided that integrate the arts, science and literature for children 10 & under, their parents and teachers from across the KC Metro Area. LEARN* PLAY*GROW communicates our belief that children learn best through play and that through fun, imaginative hands-on learning, they can grow to their fullest potential. More information can be located at www.wonderscope.org.

The Children’s Museum of Kansas City

The Children's Museum of Kansas City provides an innovative, hands-on learning environment where young children explore, discover, and imagine through play. As the first museum in Kansas City solely dedicated to serving the needs and interests of young children, CMKC aids in the development of the whole child through exhibits, special programs, and in-classroom activities that appeal to many learning styles. More information can be located at www.kidmuzm.org.

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