Chicago Children’s Museum works to ensure that people of diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds are represented as both participants in and contributors to their experiences.  

Visitors can experience CCM’s culturally-inclusive practices in some of the following ways: 

• First-person cultural programming  

  Cultural content is presented at CCM through a first-person approach—that is, by individuals who belong to that culture. Visitors can also explore their own identities through programs and experiences specifically designed for them to share their stories.  

• Visiting artist program 

  Artists from diverse cultural backgrounds co-develop programming with the museum to bring diverse perspectives and experiences to visitors. Check our calendar for upcoming Visiting Artists. 

• Made In Chicago performing arts program 

  Performing artists who represent a wide variety of cultures, identities, and backgrounds share their perspectives through the museum’s Made In Chicago initiative. Check out our calendar for upcoming Made In Chicago performances. 

• Installations and exhibits 

  Artists from a variety of cultural backgrounds create permanent installations, such as Juan Chavez’s The Found Sky sculpture, that shape the museum’s environment. The museum also occasionally hosts culturally-focused exhibits, such as the recent Heart and Seoul: Growing up in Korea. 

• Books and learning materials  

  Many books in spaces like the museum’s Pritzker Playspace, Art Studio,  and Program Center represent culturally diverse characters or content and are authored or illustrated by artists of color. 

• Bilingual approach

  Intentionally-hired bilingual staff and bilingual signage and materials help make visitors who speak multiple languages feel welcome. Pritzker Playspace facilitators offer playgroup experiences in multiple languages. 

• A diverse and welcoming staff 

  Intentionally-hired and trained staff from a multitude of cultural backgrounds helps visitors feel welcome and have the opportunity to learn from a diverse group of people every day.  

 The museum will continue to learn, grow and evolve in its cultural diversity and inclusion efforts through ongoing commitment to learning from the diverse perspectives of its staff, volunteers, community partners, colleagues, and visitors.