A campaign to reimagine our museum for the future
What is the “Stories Behind the Spectacle” Campaign? The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum preserves the history of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indianapolis 500. Since 1956, the Museum’s collection has grown from a modest display of cars and artifacts to one of the world’s premier motorsports and automobile collections. As we look to the future of the Museum, there is a need to reimagine our space to display vehicles and objects better, protect our collection, and inspire the next generation of engineers, technicians, drivers, and fans. Through meaningful storytelling, we will capture the essence of the Speedway and honor the history and culture of the Indianapolis 500 and the racing industry.
Transformation of our Space – Remaining within our current footprint, the Museum will be reconfigured to improve the guest experience from the moment you step inside. Reconfiguring the space while staying within the same footprint allows us to provide a more intuitive layout that offers an orientation to the history of the Speedway and an immersive experience recreating some of our favorite Indianapolis 500 traditions. Beyond aesthetic and experiential changes, essential infrastructure elements must be addressed to ensure the sustainability and safety of our collection. Improved air and humidity control, museum-grade storage systems, and controlled lighting will preserve our vehicles and artifacts for years to come.
Inspiring the Next Generation – Beyond displays of vehicles and artifacts, we plan to use digital and analog interpretation tools to give guests of all ages a hands-on experience at the Museum. The qualifying space will feature activities like a “pit-stop challenge” and the always popular racing simulators. A dedicated STEAM classroom will host field trips or educational programs, teaching students the engineering and technology aspects of the racing industry.In collaboration with K-12 and higher education institutions, we plan to develop a true education program creating robust STEAM-based offerings that meet Indiana state educational standards. We hope these students will be exposed to career opportunities within the racing industry and realize the job potential in central Indiana.
Familiar Favorites Will Remain – While there will be a lot of improvements and new features, many of the fan favorites will still be found within our museum. The Borg-Warner Trophy will have an updated display worthy of holding one of the most unique trophies in sports. Winning Indy 500 cars will be displayed throughout the Museum with improved lighting and placards. The lower level will still feature some of the rarest vehicles in our collection, but now it will be included with your admission ticket—no need for an additional purchase. One of the most popular things we offer, track tours, will continue to be a mainstay. The addition of a track tour lounge allows visitors to reserve times, explore the digital map of the Speedway, and even grab a quick beverage before heading out to “Kiss the Bricks.” It’s the perfect way to finish your day at the Museum.
Ways to Support – Support of The Stories Behind the Spectacle Campaign can be made in a variety of ways. Whether you wish to make a one-time donation, a pledge commitment, or a legacy gift, your contributions are vital our success. To learn more about your options of giving, please contact Bridget Sutton, Director of Development, at [email protected].
Originally posted on imsmuseum.org