(HOLLYWOOD) - Hollywood Entertainment Museum's permanent collections and recurring new exhibits celebrating the entertaining arts and Hollywood the place are portals to the world's most dynamic industry, showcasing its treasures and revealing its behind-the-scenes magic.
Since its opening in October 1996, the Museum has created a new Museum model by successfully integrating its Education Center for the Entertainment Arts, a pioneering fully accredited high school that offers at-risk youth a high school diploma and career opportunities in the entertainment industry.
Visitors to the interactive Museum (7021 Hollywood Blvd.) are the stars themselves, taking Captain Picard's seat to direct the Starship Enterprise for "Star Trek" and getting comfortable in Norm's ample seat at the original bar from TV's "Cheers."
Other highlights of a visitor's journey through the Museum are a visual cornucopia:
" The Stuff That Dreams Are Made Of, a riveting six-minute multi-screen video by Academy Award-winner Chuck Workman spotlighting favorite films and television shows from throughout the century;

" The Dream Merchants, a collection of images and words from entertainment industry icons and visionaries;

" Hollywood in Miniature, a one-quarter-inch scale replica of Hollywood's early landmarks created by two dozen artists and craftsmen in the 1940s;

" A remarkable graphic timeline traversing Hollywood, The Place from 1887 to 1996, while reviving the rich tapestry of Hollywood's past;

" The Max Factor Collection - when the Max Factor Museum closed in 1992, Proctor & Gamble donated much of the collection to the Museum. Among the artifacts include cosmetics, furniture, and the movie stars who wore his makeup. Also featured is the famous Beauty Calibrator, which was used to measure facial characteristics;

" The actual set that was used as Agent Fox Mulder's office in the hit TV series
"The X-Files."

" The Ernie Kovacs Collection - Edie Adams, actor, singer and widow of Ernie Kovacs donated Kovacs' props, costumes, drawings, puppets and photographs. His enormously popular television show, which ran from 1951 to 1962, was a staple of its time. Among the artifacts in this collection are "Percy Dovetails" poetry book, the "Kapusta Kid" puppets and a "Nairobi Trio" mask;

" Equipment from the early days of motion pictures, including a replica of an 1890s kinetoscope, two historic Moviolas and a vintage Bell and Howell 35mm camera with its original support equipment; and

" A science fiction gallery featuring aliens and special effects from generations of films and TV shows.

The famed barroom from the Cheers television series has all its original props, giving visitors the opportunity to personally revisit "the most famous bar in the world." A detailed recreation of the set of Star Trek's "Starship Enterprise" uses original prop elements from the television show and motion pictures, beaming visitors aboard to explore the ship's bridge, sit in the captain's chair and meet the fearsome Klingons.

The hands-on nature of the 33,000-square foot Museum introduces the glamour of Hollywood through historically significant costumes; video clips and artifacts demonstrating the special effects process; Movietone Newsreels that demonstrate the effects of media on Hollywood movies; The Back Lot that pro vides "behind-the-scenes" views of the work that goes on in production; and a Foley Room, where visitors discover the impact and creation of sound-effects in film and television through hands-on demonstrations.

In addition to continually opening new exhibits with specific runs, the Museum offers a variety of special programs and events for adults and children ranging from book signings to children's workshops, lectures and performances, and video presentations.
Its bounteous Museum Shop provides a world of entertainment-connected gifts, including a signature collection of sleepwear, jewelry, coffee table books, TV and radio clocks, sculpted mirrors and brushes, mugs and exotic picture frames. A major attraction for shoppers is the Star Wares boutique, the exclusive retail outlet for movie and television stars' clothing and costumes, memorabilia and stage props.

The inventory includes clothing and accessories once worn by such stars as Russell Crowe and Jennifer Connelly in "A Beautiful Mind," Adam Sandler and Winona Ryder in "Mr. Deeds," Sean Connery's suit from "Entrapment" and Jackie Chans's robe and slippers from "Rush Hour 2." Other items include props and clothes worn in "Minority Report."
In 1997, Hollywood Entertainment Museum changed the definition of what a modern day museum can be by opening the Education Center for the Entertainment Arts in collaboration with the Los Angeles County Office of Education's Division of Juvenile Court Community Schools and the Los Angeles County Probation Department. This unique fusion of a cultural institution with an educational institution allows the Museum to preserve and celebrate the achievements of the entertainment arts while grounding itself in a deep sense of social responsibility.

The Center includes a fully accredited year-round high school, which offers youth offenders on probation and other at-risk teens a complete core curriculum integrated with an infusion of the entertainment arts, thus enabling them to earn their high school diploma with extra benefits. In 2002, the high school became a Community Day School, extending the academic day and opening enrollment to community students who were at-risk, but not necessarily on probation.
The Museum also has a facility rental program that makes it available for conferences, parties and special events.

An active Museum volunteer program trains participants to serve as docents, guides and assistants throughout the facility and as mentors for its innovative education program.
Hollywood Entertainment Museum is open to the public daily, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Memorial Day through Labor Day), and Thursday - Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., (Labor Day - Memorial Day). Admission is $8.75 for adults; $5.50 for seniors; $4.50 for students (identification required); $4 for youth ages 5-12; and free to Museum members and children under the age of five. Parking is available off Sycamore Avenue and is $2 for two hours with Museum validation.