Two family-friendly museums in Downtown Mesa will offer free admission from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 15. This special Sunday event is part of the City of Mesa’s Museum Discovery series. Participating museums are Arizona Museum of Natural History and the i.d.e.a. Museum.
Additionally, Mesa Contemporary Art Museum, 1 E. Main St., will be open and free, as always, from 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. on March 15.
Complimentary access is offered during Museum Discovery events on select days or evenings by City of Mesa cultural institutions. These free events are aimed at making science, art and hands-on activities accessible to families of all economic backgrounds.
Museum Discovery
The Arizona Museum of Natural History, located at 53 N. Macdonald, has dinosaurs that roar and so much more. Visitors can explore the Lost Dutchman’s mine, wander 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, 150 W. Pepper Place, guests can enjoy imaginative and creative experiences in ArtVille and the HUB Gallery. They are encouraged to journey into current exhibition, Art of the Story, where visitors can enjoy art and hands-on activities that nurture creative thinking and embrace the storyteller within us all.
Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum visitors are encouraged to explore the 41st Annual Contemporary Crafts exhibition and four other contemporary art exhibitions.
Free Day FYIs
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 City of Mesa and Mesa Arts and Culture Department are monitoring the impact of COVID-19 (coronavirus) in the community daily. Our museums are committed to the health and safety of visitors and staff. We have increased cleaning in our facilities during this cold/flu season, and we encourage visitors and staff to follow good hygiene protocols, such as regularly washing hands, covering your cough or sneeze with tissue (or into elbow, but not into hands), and staying home if experiencing flu-like symptoms.
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/evenings. Families who present their Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card qualify for a $2 admission per person (up to 6 people) and may visit both museums during business hours that are convenient for their families.
Regular Admission and Activities
Regular admission at AZMNH is $7 for children ages 3-12 and $12 for adults; museum members are free. At the i.d.e.a. Museum, regular admission is $9 for everyone ages 1 and up; museum members are free.
More museum activities can be found online at arizonamuseumofnaturalhistory.org, ideaMuseum.org and mesaartscenter.com/mcam.
ABOUT CITY OF MESA ARTS & CULTURE
Mesa’s Department of Arts and Culture includes the Arizona Museum of Natural History, i.d.e.a. Museum and Mesa Arts Center, all located in downtown Mesa, Arizona. The mission of the department is to strengthen, for all, the creative, social and economic fabric of our community and region through inspiring, relevant, engaging and transformational cultural experiences and cross-sector collaborations.