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The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum has announced the public phase of a US$89m capital campaign to fund a complete transformation of the museum, its first significant renovation in nearly 40 years
Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 21 Jul 2023
The museum is set to undergo a US$89m transformation Credit: Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum has unveiled the public phase of a US$89m (€79.9m, £69.2m) capital campaign to fund a complete transformation and modernisation of the visitor attraction in Indianapolis, US.
Called ‘The Stories Behind the Spectacle’, the capital campaign will bring to life the museum’s vision to create a global destination that provides interactive, immersive and diverse Indianapolis 500 storytelling and educational experiences to be enjoyed by guests of all ages.
The IMS Museum - a tax-exempt not-for-profit organisation - is responsible for fundraising and revenue generation, and has achieved 51% of its goal since private launch earlier in the year, with US$46m (€41.3m, £35.8m) already committed. Included in this figure is a lead individual donation of US$10m (€8.9m, £7.7m) from Mary and Randy Rogers.
“We hope everyone in central Indiana will join us and be part of The Stories Behind the Spectacle as we re-imagine the incredible stories of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indianapolis 500 – creating new experiences for our visitors to learn more about the traditions, personalities, technology and careers that comprise ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing’,” said Rob Dyson, chair of the IMS Museum board of directors.
“We’re deeply indebted to numerous community and business leaders for their transformative gifts in support of the IMS Museum’s capital campaign and planned renovations.”
Once complete, the overall museum experience will include seven permanent and three rotating galleries, as well as the opportunity to get up close to some of the world’s most unique and valuable racing artifacts on a behind-the-scenes tour.
A US$20m (€17.9m, £15.5m) grant from philanthropic foundation Lilly Endowment has been earmarked for a dedicated STEM classroom that will feature educational resources and programmes. Museum leaders are also working with K-12 and higher education institutions to develop STEM curricula, and they are collaborating with several Indianapolis arts and cultural organisations to strengthen museum programming and reach new audiences.
Part of the second phase of the project will be a new US$15m (€13.4m, £11.6m) automobile and equipment restoration facility, with the addition allowing visitors to tour and see automobile restoration work being done in real time.
The IMS Museum will also dedicate US$10m (€8.9m, £7.7m) towards the creation of an endowment, allowing it to acquire additional artifacts that fulfil its mission of celebrating and preserving the history behind the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indy 500.
“The relationship between the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the IMS Museum is critical to telling the story of our history, introducing new fans to the racetrack and our races, and helping to keep the Indianapolis Motor Speedway a year-round attraction in central Indiana, said J. Douglas Boles, president of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IMS Museum board member.
“The IMS Museum will create an immersive and awe-inspiring environment for visitors to experience the thrill of ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing’ in new and unique ways while at the same time celebrating the history and traditions that make this place and, in particular, the Indianapolis 500 unlike anything else on Earth.”
The museum will lose its basement exhibit area in October 2023 for redevelopment before completely closing in November 2023 to remain shut until April 2025, when it will reopen, newly renovated, for the 109th running of the Indy 500.
Museums and galleries
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