Target Offers Fresh “Summer Staycation” Ideas, With Free Family-Fun Activities Across the Country

07-27-2009

List of Target-Sponsored Activities Now Available at Target.com/Arts

MINNEAPOLIS – With a little more than a month remaining of summer vacation, Target wants to help families kick it into full gear by offering hundreds of fun, free activities across the country.   From New York City’s Museum of Modern Art to San Francisco’s Broadway by the Bay, Target sponsors free or reduce-priced events in dozens of cities across the country (Target.com/Arts <http://www.Target.com/Arts> ), making “Summer Staycations” memorable, affordable and fun for all.  

This recession summer, families across the country are taking fewer traditional summer vacations, and instead taking part in staycations closer to home.  Nearly 60 percent of Americans are looking to find less-expensive activities to partake in this summer, while 48 percent stated that they will vacation closer to home, according to a recent Harris Interactive poll.   

To help make the arts affordable and accessible for all, Target sponsors more than 2,200 free days at more than 100 museums, theaters and cultural institutions throughout the country, with many occurring throughout the summer months.   

“At Target, we want to make sure that our guests and their families have the opportunity to enjoy amazing museums and performing arts institutions year-round, no matter the cost,” said Laysha Ward, president, community relations, Target.  “By taking advantage of free, local events this summer, families can plan the ultimate family field trip or ‘staycation’ that is fun, affordable and educational.”

Museum visitors — especially families with young children — are not only avoiding vacations, but are also concerned about the financial costs associated with museum visits, such as admission, gas, parking and lunch.  For instance, a family of four will spend on average about $30* to attend a local museum, not including gas, food or parking.  And these costs are rising quickly.

So from coast to coast, Target is helping families partake in their ultimate “Summer Staycation” by offering free days and events in most major cities nationwide.  A sampling of Target free day examples include:

• California African American Museum (Los Angeles) – Target Sundays at CAAM offers a once-a-month free Sunday to help celebrate the diverse influences and achievements of art and culture from the African American Diaspora.

 

• Chicago Children’s Museum –Target offers kids 15 and under with free admission to exhibits and workshops the first Sunday of each month.

 

• Orlando Repertory Theatre – Target will sponsor the 3rd Annual Target Family Theatre Festival from July 17 through 26, featuring hands-on arts and crafts activities for kids, Instrument Petting Zoo, drum circle, dancing, candy-making & storytelling, face painting, balloon artists, cool science demonstrations and free performances.

 

• Guthrie Theater (Minneapolis) – Target Play Dates offer a dynamic opportunity for children to participate in a free theater workshop, while parents enjoy a reduced-priced matinee, a wonderful way to share award-winning theater with the whole family.

 

• Studio Museum in Harlem (New York) –Target Free Sundays at the Studio Museum in Harlem offer visitors the opportunity to experience the works of artists of African descent, in addition to interactive activities, from films and lectures to performances and art-making activities.  

 

• Museum of Latin American Art (Long Beach, CA) – Every Sunday and free-of-charge, Target offers art exhibitions, performances in the sculpture garden, workshops and lectures, and interactive programs for youth.

For a full list of free or reduced-ticket price days visit Target.com/Arts.

About Target
Minneapolis-based Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) serves guests at 1,699 stores nationwide and at Target.com. Target is committed to providing a fun and convenient shopping experience with access to unique and highly differentiated products at affordable prices.  Since 1946, the corporation has given 5 percent of its income through community grants and programs like Take Charge of Education. Today, that giving equals more than $3 million a week.

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*According to the American Association of Museums


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