Body Worlds Welcomes Its One Hundred Thousandth Visitor

Nov 03, 2008 by KCPW

(KCPW News) The Leonardo's Body Worlds exhibit welcomed its 100,000th visitor on Saturday, six weeks into its 16-week run. Leonardo spokeswoman Lisa Davis wouldn't release the amount of money it's brought in so far, but says the organization is on track for its goal of a couple hundred thousand visitors.

"We share revenues with Body Worlds and it is an expensive production to bring in. It's absolutely worth it, but we are feeling encouraged about meeting all of our goals. You know museums don't bring in big exhibits to make millions and millions of dollars, the primary goal of a museum as with the Leonardo is to bring great cultural and educational opportunities to the community," Davis said.

Davis says 12,000 college students have visited the exhibit, while 5,000 K-12 students have come on field trips. 17,000 more students are booked for future trips. K-12 students on field trips get in for only $2 because of a grant from Kohl's. Adult tickets cost $22, while prices are slightly reduced for college students and minors.

Davis says the future of the Leonardo relies more on exposure than revenue.

"The opportunity to really allow people to experience the Leonardo instead of just hear about it is something that we couldn't hope for anything more. We are really encouraged and the community has responded so favorably and strongly to this that we just couldn't be much happier. I think Body Worlds in and of itself is a great example of what the Leonardo is trying to do in bringing art and culture and science together," Davis said.

Increased interest has prompted the Leonardo to extend Body World ticket times until 7pm every evening.

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