i.d.e.a Museum inspires children of all ages to experience their world differently through art, technology, science, creativity and imagination.

After 35 years as the go-to museum for original, fun, inspiring and educational hands-on art, a new era in art, creativity and imagination began Feb. 7, 2014, when the Arizona Museum for Youth officially opened its doors as the i.d.e.a. Museum.

The name i.d.e.a. is an acronym for: Imagination. Design. Experience. Art. It is the new museum’s guiding, creative thrust for the future that creatively enhances, improves and expands the use of art and art-inspired activities by adding science, engineering, technology and design in multi-sensory experiences.

The i.d.e.a. Museum’s goal is to provide even more opportunities for families to create together. Its passion is to develop individual and collective creativity in its many forms, not just art. The vision is to maintain a place for your child and the child within you to engage science, technology, engineering and math through an art focus.

INTERACTIVE SPACES INCLUDE...

1. Whiteman Family Exhibition Gallery:

This space will house three fun, educational and hands-on, art exhibitions that will be presented each year, incorporating S.T.E.A.M. (science, technology, engineering, art and math) concepts through local, national and international artists’ work. Its goal is to inspire children to tap into their own imagination and creativity using art to appreciate different viewpoints and cultures.

2. HUB:

Like the central part of a wheel or a computer networking device where several routes meet, the HUB is designed for diverse activities leading the explorer to one’s own imagination. It is the intersection of imagination and experience through collaborative making, spontaneous creation, full-body movement, problem-solving and inspiration. Among the offerings will be ‘Oodles of Doodles’ that will let your inner child loose to collabra-doodle with your child and family.

** iART:
Visitors will create their own iArt-works similar to what Curator Deborah McMillon-Nering gathers together, using images by local and national artists for:

* Me & My Big Idea: Celebrates the ideas and idea-makers that have changed the world. You tell the museum what your greatest idea is for the world by connecting with it on Facebook (ideaMuseum) and Twitter (ideaMuseumMesa).

* Soundscape: Full body, interactive sound and movement activities that explore other “sound worlds,” developed by digital sound artist, Kim Headlee, who originally designed the activity for Autistic children.

* Recyclery: Reuse and recycle materials to “make” individual artwork or projects, inspired by “green artists’” whose works are on display.

* Tech Table: Interactive activities and games on a light-and-motion, enhanced table at child level.

* Snap Flix: Bring your own props or use those available to star in your own film. This was created by students from the ASU Polytechnic College of Technology and Innovation.

* Face Frames: Sketch and make your own fashionable, functional and even zany eyewear. Explore Garret Leight’s private sunglass collection spanning 100 years and learn about the science & art of spectacles.

* Design Our World: Re-imagine or design the next phase of the i.d.e.a. Museum’s outdoor space using your own ideas and solutions. Draw inspiration from examples that ASU students created for the next 35 years.

* Odyssey Café: Stretch your thinking beyond its limits through creative, collaborative problem-solving activities using common objects.


3. ArtVille:

Always a fan-favorite, this interactive gallery returns with a revitalized design to immerse visitors in the museum’s national, trend-setting, larger-than-life art town. Little ones will experience key developmental and neurological milestones birth to 4 years. ArtVille will continue to help shape motor skills, tactile senses, early literacy, vocabulary, self-expression and imagination through:
Wee Design & Build: A new space for early learners to imagine, create, be curious and discover. Tots will build with LEGO Duplo blocks, columns, roofs, bridges, characters and vehicles; create splashes of color in the lighted “Pixel Wall” or larger color mosaics on a specially designed light table.

* S.T.E.A.M. Train & TOT Depot: The train engine and depot may stand still, but not the mind of a child playing with real buttons, dials and levers that carry the train down a simulated video track. You can help the museum name its lady train by connecting with it on social media (links mentioned above).

* Town Squares (soft blocks): An engaging, collaborative space to build teamwork, communication, problem-solving, critical thinking and quality family time.

* Art’s Studio: A new, larger wet and messy space for little artists to create to their heart’s content.

* Performing Arts Center: A stage with an assortment of cool costumes, instruments and props that are perfect for self-expression and dramatic play.

* Art’s Puppet Gallery: A version of a puppet theatre featuring props galore.

* Art’s Living Room: A cozy place for families to hang out, read a great book, solve puzzles and view art.

* Art’s Kitchen: An active space for imaginative play, cooperation, social interaction and motor-skill development.

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