The Facility
The Children's Entertainment Hall of Fame (CEHOF) will be a world-class facility consisting of a child-friendly theatre, film and broadcast studios, outdoor park, classrooms and exhibit halls.
It will be a place where members of the children's entertainment industry (major film studios, music labels, and independent talent) can work together with the participation of real families and experts in the fields of education, child development, and health.
At CEHOF, the pioneers of the industry -- such men and women as Walt Disney, Shari Lewis, Fred Rogers, Irvin Feld, and Jim Henson -- will be honored. Current industry members can, in the shadow of these talented leaders, use CEHOF's resources to research and develop new ways of entertaining and educating children, while delighting the families that visit the facility.
The Facility
CEHOF requires at least a 20-acre site. This will allow a building big enough for a 600-seat theatre, two small film/broadcast studios, exhibit halls, classrooms, a restaurant, offices, and an outdoor park, sculpture garden and amphitheater.
The facility will be modeled after the successful Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. A non-profit corporation, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame was developed through industry contributions of time and money, and sustains itself through ticket sales, licensing fees, and other contributions.
Theatres. CEHOF's 600-seat performance theatre and two fully equipped film/broadcast studios will host a full slate of live performances and produce new television programs for children. Existing shows such as Nick News can use the studios to produce segments about CEHOF and how quality children's entertainment is made.
Exhibit halls. The Hall of Fame Exhibit Hall will house rotating exhibitions on puppetry, video, and other entertainment magic. These exhibitions will be designed to tour children's museums around the world.
The General Exhibit Hall will host special programs such as national conventions for puppeteers, cartoonists, children's writers, and entertainers, as well as sponsored touring shows such as Nintendo's Video Game tour.
Classrooms. A number of small classrooms will be used for focus groups, workshops, meetings, etc.
Restaurant. CEHOF's food service facility will feature nutritious food, cafeteria-style, at reasonable prices. A "weigh what you want" salad bar will allow small people with small appetites to only be charged for what they eat. The restaurant will play an important role in industry meetings, press conferences, and premieres.
Offices. Sufficient space will be included in the building for scenic and exhibit-building shops, and executive offices.
Outdoor park. The site will be landscaped into a multi-use festival area. An amphitheater and brick-paved plazas will host strolling performers and puppeteers in warm weather. An ice-skating rink could provide a winter attraction.
Oversized metal sculptures of classic children's characters (like the popular Alice in Wonderland statue in New York's Central Park) will be scattered throughout the site. These climb-on sculptures will be a great source of publicity and funds for CEHOF, and a great source of fun for visitors.
Siting
CEHOF will be built in a United States city with major transportation access (airport, mass transit and highway) and a sizable family population. It will be a major coup for a city to host, and will be a visible feature of that city's commitment to its children and families. (The National Children’s Island, a site in Washington, DC, has already been considered.)
The host city may contribute to the funding of the facility through the use of donated land, tax incentives, and the like.
Programming
Programming (the scheduling of live performances and mobile shows) is the key to the viability of the complex. CEHOF will host live shows to enlighten and entertain thousands of children every day of the year. Children's Theatre companies (like TheatreWorks USA) and "stand-up" acts (like the cast of BLUE”S CLUES, Joanie Bartels, etc.) will make CEHOF a stop on their tours.
The Big Apple Circus, in its self-contained, heated tent, can set up shop here. We can truck in Lockheed's aerospace show. We can host a carnival. The possibilities are limitless with the stature, and draw, of the Hall of Fame.
CEHOF will have one-week engagements of stars of a certain magnitude. Entertainers, educators, public figures and athletes will do workshops, performances, and "meet and greets" to spread the word about CEHOF's mission.
International children's film festivals and touring artists will make the world a little smaller for its smallest citizens.
National conventions for puppeteers, children's writers, clowns, artists and others will be booked onto the site with the general public invited to view their talents.
In a true partnership with the community, local dance school and performance groups can use the theatres for their recitals and projects.
Most importantly, exhibits and performances honoring the members of the Hall of Fame will be a continuous draw.
In keeping with its mission, CEHOF will sponsor seminars with the goal of educating the creators of children's entertainment about children's mental, health, and social development. These conferences will offer a mix of the
mainstream and the avant-garde, the commercial and the non-commercial, in order to create a non-threatening space where Hollywood and Main Street can learn from each other.
The non-profit CEHOF will return its investment in a myriad of ways. Obviously, we expect substantial ticket revenue from performances (both outdoor and indoor), television tapings, and festivals. There will be television studio and theatre rental fees. And, most importantly, there will be licensing payments for television programs (like the annual Hall of Fame Induction Special) that will be produced at CEHOF. In addition, CEHOF will negotiate for "points," a percentage of the profits of programming developed there.
CEHOF can also make money from licensing. Besides CEHOF logo merchandise, CEHOF could be the force behind the reintroduction of many classic characters and toys to the market.
CEHOF will also serve as a prototype for similar attractions built around the world. This flagship facility will develop travelling shows and exhibitions for performing arts centers, children's museums, science museums, and theme parks worldwide.
It could become the linchpin of an international children's entertainment performance circuit. Puppeteers, musicians, storytellers and performers from other lands would travel the world celebrating educational pursuit and cultural understanding.
Fund-Raising Potential
CEHOF will have many opportunities for raising funds. The sculpture garden will be a way for major entertainment entities to receive recognition for a donation. (When, for example, Universal Studios donates a sizable amount, they will be honored with a sculpture of "E.T. and friends" on bicycles.)
Since CEHOF will be the national center for caring about children, major consumer companies will be approached for sponsorships and marketing tie-ins. The Hall of Fame television specials will offer unique sponsorships
opportunities.
Educational Components
Besides exposing visitors to other cultures, theatre programs would provide lessons about history, social behavior, and science. Touring shows already exist that tackle these subjects.
Behind-the-scenes workshops will introduce children to the world of modern media communications. Children themselves will produce programming for television, radio, and the internet.
Links to the Community
Our major attractions, created by talented professionals, will thrill our audiences. But small community-based dance and theatre companies will be welcome to strut their stuff, too. CEHOF will encourage local families to participate in the creation of entertainment.
It will be a place where members of the children's entertainment industry (major film studios, music labels, and independent talent) can work together with the participation of real families and experts in the fields of education, child development, and health.
At CEHOF, the pioneers of the industry -- such men and women as Walt Disney, Shari Lewis, Fred Rogers, Irvin Feld, and Jim Henson -- will be honored. Current industry members can, in the shadow of these talented leaders, use CEHOF's resources to research and develop new ways of entertaining and educating children, while delighting the families that visit the facility.
The Facility
CEHOF requires at least a 20-acre site. This will allow a building big enough for a 600-seat theatre, two small film/broadcast studios, exhibit halls, classrooms, a restaurant, offices, and an outdoor park, sculpture garden and amphitheater.
The facility will be modeled after the successful Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. A non-profit corporation, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame was developed through industry contributions of time and money, and sustains itself through ticket sales, licensing fees, and other contributions.
Theatres. CEHOF's 600-seat performance theatre and two fully equipped film/broadcast studios will host a full slate of live performances and produce new television programs for children. Existing shows such as Nick News can use the studios to produce segments about CEHOF and how quality children's entertainment is made.
Exhibit halls. The Hall of Fame Exhibit Hall will house rotating exhibitions on puppetry, video, and other entertainment magic. These exhibitions will be designed to tour children's museums around the world.
The General Exhibit Hall will host special programs such as national conventions for puppeteers, cartoonists, children's writers, and entertainers, as well as sponsored touring shows such as Nintendo's Video Game tour.
Classrooms. A number of small classrooms will be used for focus groups, workshops, meetings, etc.
Restaurant. CEHOF's food service facility will feature nutritious food, cafeteria-style, at reasonable prices. A "weigh what you want" salad bar will allow small people with small appetites to only be charged for what they eat. The restaurant will play an important role in industry meetings, press conferences, and premieres.
Offices. Sufficient space will be included in the building for scenic and exhibit-building shops, and executive offices.
Outdoor park. The site will be landscaped into a multi-use festival area. An amphitheater and brick-paved plazas will host strolling performers and puppeteers in warm weather. An ice-skating rink could provide a winter attraction.
Oversized metal sculptures of classic children's characters (like the popular Alice in Wonderland statue in New York's Central Park) will be scattered throughout the site. These climb-on sculptures will be a great source of publicity and funds for CEHOF, and a great source of fun for visitors.
Siting
CEHOF will be built in a United States city with major transportation access (airport, mass transit and highway) and a sizable family population. It will be a major coup for a city to host, and will be a visible feature of that city's commitment to its children and families. (The National Children’s Island, a site in Washington, DC, has already been considered.)
The host city may contribute to the funding of the facility through the use of donated land, tax incentives, and the like.
Programming
Programming (the scheduling of live performances and mobile shows) is the key to the viability of the complex. CEHOF will host live shows to enlighten and entertain thousands of children every day of the year. Children's Theatre companies (like TheatreWorks USA) and "stand-up" acts (like the cast of BLUE”S CLUES, Joanie Bartels, etc.) will make CEHOF a stop on their tours.
The Big Apple Circus, in its self-contained, heated tent, can set up shop here. We can truck in Lockheed's aerospace show. We can host a carnival. The possibilities are limitless with the stature, and draw, of the Hall of Fame.
CEHOF will have one-week engagements of stars of a certain magnitude. Entertainers, educators, public figures and athletes will do workshops, performances, and "meet and greets" to spread the word about CEHOF's mission.
International children's film festivals and touring artists will make the world a little smaller for its smallest citizens.
National conventions for puppeteers, children's writers, clowns, artists and others will be booked onto the site with the general public invited to view their talents.
In a true partnership with the community, local dance school and performance groups can use the theatres for their recitals and projects.
Most importantly, exhibits and performances honoring the members of the Hall of Fame will be a continuous draw.
In keeping with its mission, CEHOF will sponsor seminars with the goal of educating the creators of children's entertainment about children's mental, health, and social development. These conferences will offer a mix of the
mainstream and the avant-garde, the commercial and the non-commercial, in order to create a non-threatening space where Hollywood and Main Street can learn from each other.
Revenue Streams
The non-profit CEHOF will return its investment in a myriad of ways. Obviously, we expect substantial ticket revenue from performances (both outdoor and indoor), television tapings, and festivals. There will be television studio and theatre rental fees. And, most importantly, there will be licensing payments for television programs (like the annual Hall of Fame Induction Special) that will be produced at CEHOF. In addition, CEHOF will negotiate for "points," a percentage of the profits of programming developed there.
CEHOF can also make money from licensing. Besides CEHOF logo merchandise, CEHOF could be the force behind the reintroduction of many classic characters and toys to the market.
CEHOF will also serve as a prototype for similar attractions built around the world. This flagship facility will develop travelling shows and exhibitions for performing arts centers, children's museums, science museums, and theme parks worldwide.
It could become the linchpin of an international children's entertainment performance circuit. Puppeteers, musicians, storytellers and performers from other lands would travel the world celebrating educational pursuit and cultural understanding.
Fund-Raising Potential
CEHOF will have many opportunities for raising funds. The sculpture garden will be a way for major entertainment entities to receive recognition for a donation. (When, for example, Universal Studios donates a sizable amount, they will be honored with a sculpture of "E.T. and friends" on bicycles.)
Since CEHOF will be the national center for caring about children, major consumer companies will be approached for sponsorships and marketing tie-ins. The Hall of Fame television specials will offer unique sponsorships
opportunities.
Educational Components
Besides exposing visitors to other cultures, theatre programs would provide lessons about history, social behavior, and science. Touring shows already exist that tackle these subjects.
Behind-the-scenes workshops will introduce children to the world of modern media communications. Children themselves will produce programming for television, radio, and the internet.
Links to the Community
Our major attractions, created by talented professionals, will thrill our audiences. But small community-based dance and theatre companies will be welcome to strut their stuff, too. CEHOF will encourage local families to participate in the creation of entertainment.
