High-Tech Anthropology Hall at Cranbrook Institute of Science Made Possible by Campaign - Opens to the Public on Saturday, October 17

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI - (15 October 2009) – Cranbrook announced the official completion of its first Comprehensive Campaign which surpassed the goal of $150 million - completing the Campaign at $181 million one year early.

“We have many people to thank for the Campaign’s success,” said Rick Nahm, President of Cranbrook. “More than 28,000 donors comprised of alumni, leaders in the community and people touched by the Cranbrook experience throughout the country contributed - and we believe that the benefit to the people of southeast Michigan will be significant in the many ways it will touch their lives,” said Nahm. The Campaign success comes at a time of unprecedented growth for Cranbrook, with both Cranbrook Schools and the Cranbrook Art Academy achieving record enrollments. Also, as a result of the Campaign, Cranbrook has over $75 million in new construction and renovation projects underway.

One of the first of these public benefits happens this week as Cranbrook Institute of Science unveils its largest new installation in more than a decade - a high-tech new Hall of Global Cultures and exhibit entitled The Story of Us which opens to the public October 17.

The Comprehensive Campaign, while restoring the campus, will also greatly enhance the environment of the Community for visitors and students. “Cranbrook plays a very unique, very special role in this community. Art, science, education, the beautiful architecture and grounds....it is truly a treasure like no other. As metro Detroiters, we are blessed to have such a wealth of opportunity available to us, and through this Campaign we have had the opportunity to show our thanks and our support,” said Jim Vlasic, Chairman of Cranbrook’s Board of Trustees.

Examples of major Campaign projects include:

Cranbrook Schools: New Girls Middle School; renovation/expansion of the Boys Middle School; Quad restoration; Kingswood copper roof restoration; Tennis Court renovation; Classroom technology upgrades; Endowment in support of faculty compensation, scholarships, and Horizons-Upward Bound.

Cranbrook Art Academy and Art Museum: Complete renovation of Art Museum which will allow public access to the entire collection, and will fully climatize all collection and public spaces; Endowment in support of scholarships, programming, operations and preservation.

Cranbrook Institute of Science: New group entrance and parking structure; Planetarium technology upgrade; Addition of two new anthropology halls, including the technology intensive Hall of Global Cultures; Renovation of classroom space; Expansion of outreach programming, including the creation of the Center for Great Lakes Water which serves many communities across in Michigan and 20,000 middle school students in helping to preserve the long-term ecological health of the Great Lakes.

Please click below to read about the Campaign for Cranbrook in the local press:

The Detroit News

Detroit Free Press

The Oakland Press