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The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is making an extraordinary impact on Chinese-American relationships.
The world’s largest children’s museum was featured at the 2013 U.S. - China High-Level Consultation on People-to-People Exchange in Washington, D.C. Thursday and in New York, N.Y. for the Symposium on China-American Cultural Exchange and Cooperation today. These prestigious honors are an extension of a relationship-building agreement made in June 2013 between President Barack Obama and President Xi Jinping.
On Thursday, Nov. 21, 2013, Dr. Jeffrey H. Patchen, president and CEO of The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, was one of a handful of presenters in Washington, D.C. to share private sector initiatives that are having a significant impact on Chinese-American relationships. This event was co-chaired by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Mme. Liu Yandong, vice premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China.
The museum will be opening two significant exhibits related to China on May 10, 2014. One is called Terra Cotta Warriors: The Emperor’s Painted Army, the first experience featuring real Terra Cotta Warriors that is designed with hands-on activities for families to bring the incredible story to life. It will feature real Terra Cotta Warriors directly from China’s Shaanxi Province. Take Me There:® China will be a separate exhibit, which will be one of the largest comprehensive exhibits on contemporary China (if not the largest) ever produced in the United States.
At the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding for the Continuation of the Consultation on People-to-People Exchange (CPE), which demonstrates the commitment of the U.S. and Chinese governments to continue the CPE in the years to come, Mme. Liu Yandong conveyed this message from Chinese President, Mr. Xi Jinping, “People-to-people exchange is a solid bridge connecting China and the United States, and they will lead us to our common bright future. We need to further increase interactions between cultural institutions, organizations and industries; learn from each other and draw upon each other’s strength to seek commonality and harmony from diversity and difference; and pursue development through interactions in a joint effort to promote progress of human civilizations.” Secretary of State John Kerry added, “This annual forum has served as a powerful way to address challenges and to identify new ways for us to be able to enhance our engagement.”
At the Symposium on China-American Cultural Exchange and Cooperation in New York, N.Y. on Friday, Nov. 22, 2013, The Children’s Museum played a significant role in cementing these relationships as Dr. Patchen signs one of just five cultural cooperation agreements between Chinese and American institutions.
“It is our honor to partner on such powerful initiatives,” said Dr. Jeffrey H. Patchen, president and CEO, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. “The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is always searching for and implementing programs and exhibits that have the power to transform lives. Exhibitions of this magnitude introduce children and families to the rich culture and traditions of China and its people. It is our hope it creates lasting friendship and understanding for years to come.”
Institutions signing agreements include:
- Ministry of Culture of China and the Smithsonian Institution
- National Library of China and Thomas Jefferson Foundation
- IMG Artists and China Arts and Entertainment Group
- Chinese Association of Cultural Relics Exchange and National Gallery of Art
- Chinese Association of Cultural Relics Exchange and The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis is a nonprofit institution committed to creating extraordinary learning experiences across the arts, sciences, and humanities that have the power to transform the lives of children and families. For more information about The Children's Museum, visit www.childrensmuseum.org, follow us on Twitter @TCMIndy, Facebook.com/childrensmuseum and YouTube.
