Pretend City Children’s Museum is proud to announce it has been awarded a $25,000 grant from the Genesis Inspiration Foundation to support hands-on arts programming for children and families in Orange County. The check presentation event, held at the museum’s Irvine location, featured a joyful celebration of creativity, rhythm, and community with a special performance by Rhythm Child.
This generous funding will enhance Pretend City’s mission to nurture the whole child through purposeful play, cultural experiences, and artistic expression. The event welcomed Genesis retailers, regional representatives, and Pretend City supporters, all unified by a shared commitment to creating meaningful access to the arts for young children.
“At Pretend City, we believe that art is everywhere, if you’re willing to look closely enough,” said Ellen Pais, Executive Director of Pretend City Children’s Museum. “From our Art Studio to the amphitheater and cultural programming, this grant helps us bring that vision to life for every child who walks through our doors.”
Since its founding in 2018, Genesis Inspiration Foundation has awarded more than $13 million in grants to arts programs across the country. Powered by proceeds from new Genesis vehicle sales and support from Genesis Motor America, the foundation connects youth to the transformative power of the arts.
We value the way Pretend City integrates arts and educational learning experiences for children,” says John Guastaferro, Executive Director of Genesis Inspiration Foundation. “We know that when a child has access to the arts, they are not only more inspired to be creative thinkers—they are four times more likely to achieve academic excellence.
About Genesis Inspiration Foundation
Genesis Inspiration Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to connecting youth to the transformative power of the arts. Our mission is to improve educational outcomes by providing access to arts programs that engage and inspire children in under-resourced communities. Founded in 2018, the Genesis Inspiration Foundation has awarded over $13 million in grants to expand youth arts at museums, schools, and community organizations nationwide. With the support of Genesis and its retailers, we are introducing children to a new world of the possible. To learn more, visit us online at GenesisInspirationFoundation.org.
About Pretend City Children’s Museum:
Pretend City Children’s Museum is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, featuring an interconnected city designed to prepare children to meet milestones and prepare for school through imaginative play. Pretend City’s 19 learning spaces, developmental screenings, and tools for caregivers, are designed to balance playful learning and engagement for the entire family. For more information about Pretend City Children’s Museum and our commitment to fostering children’s development through play, please visit www.pretendcity.org
