Since March, our indoor exhibit space has been closed to support the health and safety of our community members and help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
As a result, we needed to drastically reduce hours for part-time staff, we ceased work on exhibit development, and we stopped receiving membership revenue as we honored membership extensions for our members throughout the closure.
Additionally, we missed playing along with more than 10,000 students and teachers on field trips who were unable to visit.
This year we’ve experienced more than a 75% loss of revenue.
And yet our museum team was nimble as we shifted our mindset and moved our museum into the homes of children and families in need of connection and play.
Families tuned in virtually with museum educators to engage in creative activities. Through partnerships with local organizations, we delivered Play Along at Home activity kits to children and curated a variety of Recipes for Play on our museum blog.
This Fall, our museum educators created more than 40 STEAM Challenges for grades K-3 in the subjects of Language, Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies and taught them virtually to over 350 students in the Brookings School District. This work continues.
Our mission to spark imagination continues to be more crucial than ever.
Our hearts remain hopeful and our creative minds remain persistent. Why? Because we know what our community needs most right now is the opportunity to PLAY.
PLAY helps us work through and better understand our thoughts and feelings. PLAY connects us with others. PLAY is crucial at this moment and into the new year.
Would you consider helping us continue to be a strong leader and proponent of play for children and families in our community?
We will use your gift to:
• Inspire and promote emotional health and well-being for ALL through play.
• Develop additional learning activities that connect families and create play experiences.
• Help prepare for the time when we can reopen our indoor exhibits with the health and safety of children and families top of mind.
You may donate securely online or through the mail at 521 4th St, Brookings, SD 57006.
Should you wish to make a recurring donation or pledge, please contact me using the information below.
Your gift is tax deductible and will help us bring play to all children and grown-ups.
With a playful spirit of gratitude,
Kate Treiber, Executive Director
ktreiber@prairieplay.org
605-692-6700, ext. 233
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