Gift is largest donation to an education initiative in Museum's history
Published 09-28-10
Submitted by Kohl's Department Stores
Today Kohl's Department Stores (NYSE: KSS) announced a more than $2.7 million donation over three years to the Milwaukee Art Museum that will continue the successful Kohl's Art Generation program launched in 2008 as well as create new programs for kids and families. Building on the $1 million contribution from Kohl's in 2008, this donation is the largest gift to an education initiative in the Museum's history. The donation comes from the Kohl's Cares® cause merchandise program, which sells special items, including plush toys and books, and donates 100 percent of the net profit to benefit children's health and education initiatives nationwide.
One of Wisconsin's premiere destinations for art and culture, the Milwaukee Art Museum serves more than 300,000 visitors each year and is nationally recognized for its art education programming. The onsite Kohl's programs will be free with admission to all Museum attendees and school groups.
"Kohl's and the Milwaukee Art Museum not only share a hometown community in Milwaukee, we also share a commitment to education," said Julie Gardner, executive vice president and chief marketing officer for Kohl's. "From kid-focused classes and tours to hands-on learning, these programs expose kids to art and inspire creative thinking. We are proud to grow our partnership with the Museum and enhance the Kohl's Art Generation educational programs that families can enjoy together."
The Kohl's Art Generation program has made the Milwaukee Art Museum a leading destination for families with a hands-on children's exhibit, art studio and mobile art experience. This new $2.7 million gift will sustain the existing Kohl's Art Generation program and expand services to offer additional resources for families.
Kohl's Art Generation program components that will be enhanced with the new donation include:
New program elements include:
"Kohl's has been an extremely generous and supportive partner with the Milwaukee Art Museum and we are so excited about what this, the largest gift to an education initiative in our history, will do for the Museum, our visitors and the Milwaukee community," said Dan Keegan, director of the Milwaukee Art Museum. "Kohl's is helping to create art education programs that will inspire and engage young people in the arts at a time when several schools are cutting funding for art education."
Since 2000, Kohl's and the Kohl's Cares program have combined to give approximately $34 million to support charitable initiatives in the metro-Milwaukee area, including the $2.7 million to the Milwaukee Art Museum and the following recent contributions:
For more information about the Kohl's Art Generation program at the Milwaukee Art Museum, visit www.mam.org/artgeneration. For more information about Kohl's philanthropic and community initiatives, visit www.kohls.com/cares.
About Kohl's
Based in Menomonee Falls, Wis., Kohl's (NYSE: KSS) is a family-focused, value-oriented specialty department store offering moderately priced, exclusive and national brand apparel, shoes, accessories, beauty and home products in an exciting shopping environment. By the end of September, Kohl's will operate 1,089 stores in 49 states with a commitment to environmental leadership. In support of the communities it serves, Kohl's has raised more than $150 million for children's initiatives nationwide through its Kohl's Cares® cause merchandise program, which operates under Kohl's Cares, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kohl's Department Stores, Inc. For a list of store locations and information, or for the added convenience of shopping online, visit www.kohls.com.
About the Milwaukee Art Museum
The Milwaukee Art Museum's expansive Collection includes more than 20,000 works spanning antiquity to the present day. With a history dating back to 1888, the Museum holds collections of American decorative arts, German Expressionism, folk and Haitian art, and American art after 1960 that are among the nation's best. The Museum includes the Santiago Calatrava"“designed Quadracci Pavilion, named by Time magazine "Best Design of 2001." The Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., except for Thursdays when the Museum stays open until 8 p.m. For more information, visit www.mam.org.
Based in Menomonee Falls, Wis., Kohl’s (NYSE: KSS) is a family-focused, value-oriented specialty department store offering moderately priced, exclusive and national brand apparel, shoes, accessories, beauty and home products in an exciting shopping environment. With a commitment to environmental leadership, Kohl’s operates 1,155 stores in 49 states. In support of the communities it serves, Kohl’s has raised more than $231 million for children’s initiatives nationwide through its Kohl’s Cares® cause merchandise program, which operates under Kohl's Cares, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kohl's Department Stores, Inc. For a list of store locations and information, or for the added convenience of shopping online, visit www.Kohls.com, join the discussion on Facebook (facebook.com/Kohls) or Twitter (twitter.com/Kohls) or get inspired on Pinterest (pinterest.com/Kohls) and Instagram (instagram.com/Kohls).
More from Kohl's Department Stores