Two family-friendly museums in Downtown Mesa - the Arizona Museum of Natural History and the i.d.e.a. Museum - will offer free admission from 6 p.m.to 10 p.m. on Friday, May 10, as part of the City of Mesa's Museum Discovery series. Additionally, Mesa Contemporary Art Museum - which is always free - will be celebrating the opening of five new exhibitions that evening, with a free public reception from 7 p.m.to 10 p.m.
Complimentary access is part of a move toward offering Museum Discovery events on select days or evenings by the three City of Mesa cultural institutions. These free days and evening events are aimed at making science, art and hands-on activities accessible to families of all economic backgrounds.
Free days are very popular and attract crowds. If a museum nears visitor capacity, the staff at that museum may implement timed tickets at the door on a first-come, first-served basis to better serve guests. No advanced tickets will be distributed.
The Arizona Museum of Natural History, located at 53 N. Macdonald, has dinosaurs that roar and so much more. Visitors can try their luck at gold panning, wonder through an ancient Hohokam village or take a selfie with a T. rex. There is something exciting for everyone.
At the i.d.e.a. Museum, guests can enjoy imaginative and creative experiences in ArtVille and the HUB Gallery. They are encouraged to journey into current art exhibition, Junkyard Jungle, to learn more about rainforests and recycling through creative and hands-on activities, including imaginary play as biologists, entomologists, zoologists and ecologists, and exploring the black light rainforest.
Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum will feature five new exhibitions, along with live entertainment and a cash bar during the public reception. Exhibitions are: Cartomancy - The Seni Horoscopes, by Shay Bredimus; Docents Select: Zoo, from the permanent collection; True and Livin' by Aaron Coleman; Petrichor, by Esao Andrews (originally from Mesa, AZ); and Allure, a site-specific installation by Crystal Wagner.
Please note: AZMNH and the i.d.e.a. Museum participate in Museums for All - a discounted admission program for economically challenged families, so they may experience the museum without the crowds typical on free days. Families who present their Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card qualify for a $2 admission per person (up tosix people) and may visit both museums during business hours that are convenient for their families.
More museum activities can be found online at www.arizonamuseumofnaturalhistory.org, www.ideaMuseum.org and www.mesaartscenter.com.
Contact:
Yvette Armendariz
(480) 644-4129
yvette.armendariz@mesaaz.gov