September 24 • 8am • The High Five GR

Proceeds from the 7th Annual GRCM State of Play Fundraiser will provide vital funding for our efforts to bring play to all children in our community through open-ended programs and exhibits, outreach initiatives, and community partnerships.

This year's event will take place at The High Five GR, located at 19 La Grave Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.

Keynote Speaker

Brad Meltzer

Best-Selling Author

History. Legacy. Character. Great leadership. Brad Meltzer draws upon the themes of his best-selling books and popular television shows, challenging audiences to look at their lives, work and mission through the lens of legacy. Brad’s highly inspiring keynotes showcase the motivational stories of both everyday heroes and history-making leaders. His moving message: Every life makes history. Ordinary people can change the world. If you can impact just one person, you won’t just live a good life. You will live forever.

Named as both "America’s Historian" and one of "Hollywood’s 25 Most Powerful Authors," Brad is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Lightning Rod and 12 other bestselling thrillers. His book Make Magic: The Book of Inspiration You Didn’t Know You Needed was an instant best seller and based on his viral commencement speech for his son’s graduating class at the University of Michigan. Brad is also the author of many non-fiction books, including The First Conspiracy and The Lincoln Conspiracy, and the Ordinary People Change the World kids' book series, which inspired the Emmy-nominated TV show on PBS KIDS, Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum.

Photos from State of Play 2025

Photos by Julie Balgavy Photography

Thank you sponsors!

Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, all proceeds from this event will go directly to fund museum exhibits, outreach and programming.