Arizona Science Center - History

History

Arizona Science Center, formerly the Arizona Museum of Science & Technology, was conceived in 1980 as a pilot science center by the Junior League of Phoenix. Incorporated as a private, non-profit corporation in 1982, the Science Center opened its doors to the public in 1984 as a small 10,000-square-foot (930 m2) storefront exhibition space located in the parking garage level of the downtown Phoenix Hyatt. The Science Center’s first year of operation saw more than 87,000 visitors. Some of the original hands-on exhibits are still found in the Center today.

Growth in attendance and an increasing demand for informal science education programs led to the Science Center being awarded more than $33 million in voter-approved disbursements by the 1988 City of Phoenix bond to provide the land and construction of the Science Center’s new permanent home. Construction of the 120,000-square-foot (11,000 m2), Antoine Predock-designed facility was completed in 1997. An additional $4.1 million City of Phoenix bond in 1998 added 22,500 square feet (2,090 m2) of much needed classroom and dedicated gallery space for traveling exhibitions.

What began in 1984 as a small, storefront exhibition has today grown into one of the most successful cultural attractions in the state of Arizona. Arizona Science Center has served more than three million patrons since opening its downtown Phoenix facility in 1997. The current facilities include more than 40,000 square feet (3,700 m2) of gallery space; an IMAX Theater seating 285; the modern, computerized Dorrance Planetarium seating 200; a suite of multimedia classrooms; amenities including a gift shop, food service and lunchroom; and support facilities.