Last updated: 8/15/2017
Santa Barbara, California
Address
125 State Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Hours

Members-Only Early Entry: Tuesdays and Saturdays, 8:30 a.m.
Daily
10 AM - 5 PM
Closed Thanksgiving (4th Thursday in November) and Christmas (December 25).
Special Closure
Please note: MOXI will also be closed on Saturday, September 23 2017 in preparation for MOXI@Night.

Admissions

Adults (13 +): $14
Members: free
Children (3-12): $10
Children under 2: Free

Staff

Mary Elliott
phone: 805-770-5011
Martha Swanson
phone: 805-770-5008
Description

MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation is a 21st century museum dedicated to igniting learning through interactive experiences in science and creativity. Located in the heart of Santa Barbara's redeveloped tourist area at 125 State Street, it will be the county's first LEED-certified museum serving children of all ages as well as"lifelong learners." The museum's interactive exhibits, designed by award-winning museum planning firm Gyroscope, Inc. align with the national agenda to boost student achievement in math and science.

Mission

Our mission is to ignite learning through interactive experiences in science and creativity. As Santa Barbara's newest hands-on destination for families and curious minds of all ages, MOXI is a place where you can explore and discover new things about the world around you, ask questions, seek answers and have a blast doing so.

History

The MOXI you can visit today started as a dream more than 20 years ago. A group of dedicated and dynamic community volunteers came together with the desire to create a world-class museum in their own backyard that would provide opportunities for learning outside the traditional classroom. After a few starts and stops, in 2013, the City of Santa Barbara made it possible for us to create this place on a plot of unused land on lower State Street. We are now in a 50-year lease agreement with the City, ensuring our science museum will have a perfectly positioned home for many years to come. Our Barry Berkus - designed building also has the distinction of being the first LEED Gold certified museum in Santa Barbara County. We celebrated Opening Day on February 25, 2017

Artifact Collections
Interactive Experiences

Leave your expectations about exhibits at the door and get ready to discover, play and engage in a new way at MOXI. Our three floors are filled with loads of interactive experiences, organized around seven themes that all relate to science, technology, engineering, arts and math. A day spent at MOXI will be different each time you visit - with new things to see, new approaches to take, new challenges to solve and new discoveries to uncover. Learn more about them below.

Tech Track - Make your mark right as you enter MOXI on our Handprint Globe. Get inspired by stories of local innovators and their work in our community on the Innovation Wall. Enter the Innovation Workshop, MOXI’s own makerspace where you can imagine, design and test your own creations using a wide variety of technologies and tools – from the low-tech popsicle sticks and glue to the high-tech 3-D printer and laser cutter. The Tech Track provides a glimpse into what’s new, what’s next, and the process of innovating and creating new technology
Sound Track - Go inside the Giant Guitar to learn about how your favorite guitar riffs begin. Be mesmerized by our very own George Rhoads-designed Sound Machine. Take control of the Reactable, part digital DJ table, part futuristic musical instrument. Be a part of Hollywood magic when you step into our Foley Studios to create your own sound effects for a popular film clip. Do it all and more in the Sound Track, the biggest exhibit area on the first floor of MOXI.
Fantastic Forces Courtyard - Step outside into this space dedicated to gravity, magnetism, propulsion, centripetal force and more. Conduct test flights in our Wind Column Workshop, launch an Air Rocket and discover the power of magnetic fields on our Magnetic Islands. Play with all these things and more in our grand Fantastic Forces Courtyard that soars up three stories to the glass ceiling of the Sky Garden.
Speed Track - Feed your need for speed as you build your own race car and send it down our test track. Prototype designs for a marble roller coaster. Discover the beauty in all types of movement. Slow your mind as you challenge someone at the game of Mindball. Your body and your brain will be active throughout your time in the Speed Track.
Light Track - Explore the world of lights, colors, shadows and more in this area where science and technology beautifully combine with visual arts and creative expression. Take the ultimate selfie at Mosaic Faces. Create a bold display of colored lights at Light Patterns. Control the Color Mixing Machine that hangs above our entryway and learn more about color and light waves while delighting observers inside and outside our main entrance on State Street.
Interactive Media Track - Discover a unique showcase for a wide range of digital interactive experiences designed in partnership with area artists, educators and scientists. Both our Interactive Media Theater and our Bridge gallery space will feature rotating displays of new media arts and technology. Exhibits currently on display include Ethan Turpin's "Video Organisms."
Sky Garden - Enjoy breathtaking views of Santa Barbara from the mountains to the sea on our exhibit-filled rooftop. Play and experiment with fluid dynamics in a spectacular way at Whitewater, our fully interactive water feature including a giant Archimedes screw. Create a wind-, sun- and human-powered symphony with the Weather Orchestra. Step inside the Lookout Tower to see the city a bit differently through the lenses of five different observation scopes. And no visit to the Sky Garden will be complete without a walk across our glass Sky Deck for a unique view of the courtyard below
Educational Programs

After school programs, summer camps, and Birthday parties.

Special Programs

Camps - An unforgettable hands-on camp experience. With access to state-of-the-art equipment in our makerspace and three full floors of open-ended, adaptable exhibit experiences, MOXI offers a new kind of camp, for a new kind of museum. Details and registration for summer and fall 2017 camps now available.
After-School Classes - Spark curiosity and ignite learning. MOXI will also offer a series of after-school classes covering a wide range of topics. Hands-on activities in the Exploration Lab, Innovation Workshop and exhibit tracks will explore science, technology, engineering and math. Please check our website for Registration instructions.
AfterParty at MOXI - These quarterly adults-only evenings at Santa Barbara’s new hands-on science museum take the typical day at MOXI to the next level with special performances, interactive demos, fun games, music and more. Each Afterparty has its own unique flavor, so check our website for your next opportunity to Party! Generously supported by JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Services
Private Event Rental - Reserve the museum for your next special occasion.

MOXI is not only Santa Barbara’s newest museum, it’s the newest event venue, available for private parties, business meetings, weddings and more. Treat your guests to the unique experience of a celebration amongst our interactive exhibits or simply one of the best views of the city from our rooftop Sky Garden. Create unforgettable memories. Create your very own MOXI moment. Tours and reservations for private event bookings are now available.

MOXI@Night - Come to an innovative party in support of MOXI's educational mission.

Are you ready for an unforgettable evening of food, drink, exploration, discovery + more? Join us for our inaugural fundraising event, MOXI@Night. Now seeking sponsors for what is sure to be a memorable night. Your support helps fund MOXI's educational programming and mission.

Birthday Parties

Celebrate another trip around the sun with MOXI! To make a Birthday Party Reservation please call 805-770-5012, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

AfterParty at MOXI - These sell out quickly!!

These quarterly adults-only evenings at Santa Barbara’s new hands-on science museum take the typical day at MOXI to the next level with special performances, interactive demos, fun games, music and more. Each Afterparty has its own unique flavor. These events will be SOLD OUT quickly! Generously supported by JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Gift Shop
Special Event Rental
ADA
Wheelchair Accessible
Restrooms
Exhibitions
Museum Events
DISCLAIMER
This information, including business hours, addresses and contact information is provided for general reference purposes only. No representation is made or warranty is given as to its content or the reliability thereof. User assumes all risk of use. Stories USA, Inc. and its content suppliers assume no responsibility for any loss or delay resulting from such use. Please call ahead to verify the dates, the location and directions.

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Oregon Museum Association 2024 Conference

September 8, 2024 - September 10, 2025

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2025 California Association of Museums Conference

February 18 - 22, 2025

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