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-Banner order: Alyssa Banta, Grossology, Not a Cough, Cande, SOS, ICONS, Highlights
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Awarded Re-Accreditation from the American Association of Museums
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----------------------------------------------------general info
-----------------------------
General Information:
Address
Hours of Operation
Admission Rates
Birthday Parties
Facility Rentals
Membership
Gift Shop
Address:
International Museum of Art & Science
1900 Nolana McAllen, TX 78504
P. 956.682.1564
F. 956.686.1813
Driving Directions:
We are located at the intersection of Nolana and Bicentennial St.
Traveling from Lower Valley Travel on Exp. 83 West to US Hwy 281 North (towards
Edinburg), exit Nolana, turn West (left) under bridge and travel 4 miles on Nolana until crossing
the intersection of Bicentennial and IMAS is on the right hand side.
Traveling from the Upper Valley
Travel on Exp. 83 East to 23rd St. Exit, turn North (left) and travel North on 23rd 4 miles until
Nolana, turn East (right) and IMAS is on the left hand side.
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Hours of Operation:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Wednesday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thursday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission Rates:
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Tuesday – Saturday
Members: Free
Adults: $7.00
Seniors (55+): $5.00
Students W/ID: $5.00
Children (4-12 yrs.): $4.00
Children (0-3 yrs.): Free
Sunday
Members: Free
(1pm-3pm) $4.00 Per Person
(3pm-5pm) Free
Children (0-3 yrs.): Free
Special Exhibition
Grossology: The (Impolite) Science of the Human Body (add to general admission)
Children (0-3): Free
Children (4yrs+) - Adult: $4.00
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Birthday Parties:
Come and celebrate your next birthday with IMAS. A wonderful and unique atmosphere, your
child will enjoy their special day with an environment full of fun and learning. Book your next
party now.
Simply call and make your reservation today at 956.682.1564.
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Party Rates:
Choose from three areas:
Creativity Central
Industrial Lab
Rioscape
All areas start at $210. This will include tables, chairs, your first 30 guests, and 2 hours of fun.
Call about reservations at 956.682.1564 and don’t forget to ask about our Party Plus Package.
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(Would like to see Calendar with date availability, can be one for both birthday and facility
rentals)
Gift Shop:
Come in and explore the IMAS gift shop: it has a unique array of gifts, including one of a kind
items from local and regional artists. Whether it is a science kit for your little scientist or
beautiful jewelry, you will be sure to find something special.
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back
-----------------------------------------------------Become a Member:
---------------------------------------------------back
Become a Member:
IMAS Memberships:
Become part of our family with a membership. Enjoy free general admission for seven family
members for one full calendar year.
Other benefits include discounts on birthday parties, facility rentals, gift shop purchases, children
and adult classes, subscription to IMAS newsletter and invitations to exhibit openings and
special events.
All contributions are tax deductible. IMAS is a Non-Profit, charitable organization.
Become a Member: click here for safe PDF download.
Memberships:
Individual Membership $42
Free General Admission for one for one full calendar year
Invitations to exhibit openings
10% Discount on gift shop purchases
10% Discount on birthday parties and facility rentals
Special rates for special ticketed events, exhibits and educational classes for adults or children
Subscription to IMAS Newsletter
2 one-day passes
Family Membership $60
Free General Admission for up to 7 family members for one full calendar year
Invitations to exhibit openings
10% Discount on gift shop purchases
10% Discount on birthday parties and facility rentals
Special rates for special ticketed events, exhibits, and educational classes for adults or children
Subscription to IMAS Newsletter
Smithsonian Membership $120
Free General Admission for up to 7 family members for one full calendar year
Invitations to exhibit openings
10% Discount on gift shop purchases
10% Discount on birthday parties and facility rentals
Special rates for special ticketed events, exhibits, and educational classes for adults or children
Subscription to IMAS Newsletter
Complimentary subscription to Smithsonian Institute Magazine*
Complimentary Family Membership Gift Certificate
*Subscription fees to the Smithsonian Institute Magazine are deducted from the base
contribution
Visionary Membership $300
Free General Admission for up to 7 family members for one full calendar year
Invitations to exhibit openings
10% Discount on gift shop purchases
10% Discount on birthday parties and facility rentals
Special rates for special ticketed events, exhibits, and educational classes for adults or children
Subscription to IMAS Newsletter
Complimentary subscription to Smithsonian Institute Magazine*
2 Complimentary Family Membership Gift Certificates
*Subscription fees to the Smithsonian Institute Magazine are deducted from the base
contribution
Patron Memberships
A Patron Membership provides membership to you, your family, friends, neighbors, employees,
special interest groups or toward our “Corporate Kids” program that provides complimentary
year round general museum admission to children whose families may not be able to visit our
Museum.
Enjoy all the benefits of the Family Membership at a reduced “bulk” rate.
Donation Levels---------Family Memberships included
$420--------------------10
$630--------------------15
$1050-------------------25
$1800-------------------50
$3000-------------------100
$4140-------------------150
$4800-------------------200
$6480-------------------300
$7200-------------------400
$9000-------------------500
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------------------------------------------------------event hosting
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DELETE: Event Hosting has been made easy with the IMAS reservation system
DELETE: Choose from a great variety of packages which incled Princess, out of this world BUG
O RAMA and many more.
----------------------------------------------------exhibitions
----------------------------------------------------Current exhibitions:
Alyssa Banta: Photographs from the Periphery of War
Grossology: The (Impolite) Science of the Human Body
Not a Cough in a Carload: Images from the Tobacco Industry's Campaign to Hide the Hazards
of Smoking
Cande Aguilar: World Affair
On Going:
Highlights from the Permanent Collection
ICONS: Stained Glass Windows
Sculptures at IMAS
Discovery Pavilion
Rioscape
S.O.S
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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Alyssa Banta: Photographs from the Periphery of War
January 15 - May 3, 2009
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Alyssa Banta
January 15 – May 3, 2009
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Alyssa Banta: Photographs from the Periphery of War
The exhibition, Photographs from the Periphery of War, by award winning documentary photographer,
Alyssa Banta, will be on display at IMAS through May 3, 2009. The exhibition displays a collection of
photographs taken in Asia, and allows the viewer to experience the countless issues snarled together in
war. Alyssa Banta states, “My photographs aren’t about the bang-bang of war. Not directly anyway.
They’re about the people who have to make a life out of the destruction, the mess, the collapse, the
broken roads, the fields littered with mines.”
For more information, please call IMAS at 956.682.1564
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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Grossology: The (Impolite) Science of the Human Body
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Grossology: The (Impolite) Science of the Human Body
January 24 – April 26, 2009
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Grossology exhibition produced by Advanced Exhibits, a division of Advanced Animations LLC, in collaboration
with Science World British Columbia. Grossology is a registered trademark of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
Based on the best-selling book Grossology, this exhibition uses sophisticated animatronics and
imaginative exhibits to tell you the good, the bad and the downright ugly about runny noses,
body odor and much more. Grossology will be featured at the International Museum of Art &
Science (IMAS) January 24 through April 26, 2009.
For more information, please call IMAS at 956.682.1564
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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Not a Cough in a Carload: Images from the Tobacco Industry's Campaign to Hide the Hazards
of Smoking
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Not a Cough in a Carload: Images from the Tobacco Industry's Campaign to Hide the Hazards
of Smoking
January 29 – March 22, 2009
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Experience images from the Tobacco Industry's Campaign to Hide the Hazards of Smoking at
Not a Cough in a Carload. This traveling exhibit is drawn from a collection of over 3000
original tobacco ads containing health related themes compiled at Stanford University.
For more information, please call IMAS at 956.682.1564
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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Cande Aguilar: World Affair
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Cande Aguilar: World Affair
February 5 – April 26, 2009
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World Affair by Cande Aguilar is a collection of large-scale unique paintings that reveal
contemporary human pattern. Cande Aguilar states: "As an artist, it's important for me to give
the viewer the opportunity to become one with sensitivity, in time, this art will reveal a truth that
conveys an existence that is unique to our world in the 21 st century. In my art, the mixed media
technique opens the doors of dimension, allowing me to abstract from the primitive, modern and
contemporary state. I believe that music and art is an abstract through which we can channel
ourselves, consciously or subconsciously, to experience the universe of life." Cande’s work is an
example of the unique art form found in the Rio Grande Valley.
For more information about this exhibit, please call IMAS at 956.682.1564.
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-----------------------------------------------highlights
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Highlights from the Permanent Collection
In the Central Gallery
Ongoing…
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Emilio Greco. Lanciatrice di Disco, 1961. Bronze. Gift of the Meadows Foundations
Michio Takayama. Expectation (detail) 1960. Oil on Canvas. Gift of Kirk and Jeri Clark.
The Permanent Collection at the International Museum of Art & Science has served to educate
the curious, enrich the intellects, and exemplify the interests and generosity of the community of
the Rio Grande Valley since its historic beginning some forty years ago.
Currently on exhibit, in a newly-dedicated space reserved especially for the Permanent
Collection, are objects that represent the dedication that is characteristic of the International
Museum of Art & Science and its mission to the community.
The exhibition includes a selection from the Caton Collection of European paintings from the
16th to the 19th Century donated by Dr. and Mrs. McKee Caton. The Watland Collection is
represented with a Danish Landscape by P.F. Lund, and a group of exquisite Japanese prints.
Selections of Modern Art, including examples of Abstract Expressionism and Op-Art, illustrate a
legacy beginning with donations by Charles and Dorothy Clark and continued by their son Kirk
Clark. Contributions, in the form of a generous donation by Mr. and Mrs. Frank Schultz, of
lithographs by Pablo Picasso, the Suite of Imaginary Portraits, serve to highlight and accent the
exhibit. Acquisitions from the Collection of Glen Bruner, Jr. include prints from a diversity of
styles such as Pop, Abstract, and Minimalism. A selection from an international range of pieces
donated to IMAS by many supporters to the museum are also included, as well as a taste of art
collected from regional artists from the Rio Grande Valley and Northern Tamaulipas, Mexico.
The museum’s geological collection and the Folk Art representing cultures from Mexico, Africa,
and Asia have a major presence and crown with color and expression the highlights from the
IMAS collections vault.
For more information, please call IMAS at 956.682.1564
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ICONS: Stained Glass Windows
In the Texas State Gallery
Ongoing…
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Tiffany Glass & Decorating Company. Saint Elizabeth, 1900. Leaded Glass Memorial Window.
From the Collection of Dr. Lawrence and Esperanza Gelman.
Imagine seeing a sight that was enjoyed over one hundred years ago. IMAS is proud to present,
on loan from the private collection of Dr. Lawrence and Esperanza Gelman, a compilation of
stained glass windows originating from St. Paul's Church in Albany, New York and dating back
to 1914. This wonderful exhibition of religious iconography also features two windows
produced by the famed glass company, Tiffany Studios. IMAS invites the public to immerse
itself in viewing the splendor of an artform that has graced the walls of churches, cathedrals, and
other religious architecture of the world. The gallery is designed and finely crafted to replicate
the backdrop for such an ethereal event.
For more information, please call IMAS at 956.682.1564
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Sculptures at IMAS
On going…
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Jesús Moroles, Texas Stele Ruin, 1997. Texas Granite. Installation view.
Dactyl, a prehistorically-inspired, bright red steel sculpture created in 1983 by award-winning
sculptor Stuart Kraft, is prominently displayed on the front lawn of IMAS. Commanding a
presence at twenty-one feet tall and weighing an impressive three tons, Dactyl proudly greets all
who enter and pass by the museum.
Additionally, the courtyard leading to the Fine Arts building showcases our sculpture garden. On
view are the works of Texas-based and world-famous granite sculptor Jesús Moroles and the
expressive and internationally-renowned Mexican bronze sculptor Victor Salmones.
For more information, please call IMAS at 956.682.1564
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------------------------------------------------------------------discover
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Discover the marvels that surround us
In the Discovery Pavilion
On going…
The Discovery Pavilion offers children of all ages an opportunity to learn in fun and exciting
ways.
Visitors are encouraged to experience a new way of understanding with interactive exhibits such
as:
Water:
Two exhibits explore water as one our most precious natural resources as part of the “Smart
About Water” Program sponsored by the McAllen Public Utilities Board.
Our Watershed is an interactive, award-winning exhibit that guides children through processes
such as the water cycle with a special focus on the Arroyo Colorado Watershed of the Rio
Grande Valley.
Visitors are afforded the opportunity to spot local wildlife and play the role of water manager.
Water Journey is a unique hands-on exhibit that features the full spectrum of the water cycle, in
addition to the distribution and treatment processes.
Come and explore more at the IMAS Children’s Discovery Pavilion Exhibits:
Construction Zone
Children of all ages will enjoy learning about structure and design with this modular play area.
Le Puppet Theatre
The puppet theatre is equipped with a puppet stage and a variety of people and animal hand
puppets to stimulate the imagination and encourage personal and artistic expression.
Creativity Central
Sponsored by SBC, Creativity Central provides a nook for toddlers to experience and participate
in educational activities with their parent or guardian.
Music Wheel:
Sponsored by Day Surgery at Renaissance, the interactive wall sculpture by Edward Weiss reacts
with the touch of your hand. Explore and create a symphony of sound with the palm of your
hand!
For more information about Discovery Pavilion, please call IMAS at 956.682.1564
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rioscape
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Rioscape
The interactive science playground
On going…
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Rioscape Playground Entrance.
Rioscape is the Rio Grande Valley’s only interactive science playground, where students learn
about water, energy, sound waves and more.
Students climb, slide, and crawl through a geography, science, and cultural lesson about the Rio
Grande as it flows from the Colorado Rockies to the Gulf of Mexico.
For more information about this program, please call IMAS at 956.682.1564
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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------S.O.S.
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Science On a Sphere
Opening September 2008 as a permanent science exhibit
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Science On a Sphere Installation View
“Science On a Sphere”, or SOS, is a revolutionary, state-of-the-art exhibit designed by the
National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to illustrate planetary and celestial
systems like never before. Digital projectors illustrate concepts such as animal migration,
hurricanes, tsunamis, and much more onto the surface of a 6 foot suspended sphere. IMAS is
excited to be only the 24th venue in the world to offer our community the opportunity to see
Jupiter, Saturn, Mars and over 200 more visualizations.
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SITE MAP (EDUCATION)
---------------------------------------kidzone
----------------------KidZone:
McAllen PUB Science Lab
Sponsored by the McAllen Public Utilities Board, the Science Lab features the stream table and
our family of live animals. Each week, different experiments are set up in the lab for children to
try with their parents.
Art Studio
The Art Studio is available for children to "create and take" their own masterpieces.
Each week, children are invited to create their own work of art.
Family Fun Night
On Thursday evenings from 5pm-8pm, special activities and demonstrations are set up in the
Science and Art Studio. Please check the calendar for specific activity information.
--------------------------------Outreach Programs:
------------------------Outreach Programs:
Our outreach programs bring the excitement and resources of IMAS directly to you.
Each hands-on program is conducted by a museum educator and is designed to address specific
strands and objectives of TEKS.
Group Size: Up to 35 children
Availability: Tuesday-Friday
Cost: $175.00
Travel Fee: 50 cents per round-trip mile to your site
Program Length: 60 minutes
Astronomy from the Ground Up:
This kit was developed by the National Optical Astronomy Observatory and the Astronomical
Society of the Pacific.
This program allows students to model the Solar System, Galaxy, and Universe using hands-on,
experiential, and kinesthetic exercises.
Variations for older students include lessons on light, optics, and astronomical measurement.
Cultural Diversity Through the Arts:
Sponsored by the Texas Commission for the Arts with funding from the NEA and the State of
Texas.
Each trunk uses literature, music, geography and art to focus on a different region: Africa, Asia,
and Latin America.
Light Decoders:
This trunk was developed by the Pacific Science Center and NOVA Origins as a hands-on
introduction to how scientists can know about distant objects in outer space.
It focuses on how light can elucidate some of the questions regarding composition and
temperature of stars and nebulae.
Lone Star Dinosaurs:
This trunk is available through a gift from the Ft. Worth Museum of Science and History.
It contains a variety of bone casts to expose students to the characteristics, habits, and discovery
of the major dinosaurs of Texas.
Mission to SRAM:
This trunk, developed by the Pacific Science Center and NOVA Origins, allows students to
engage in a mock NASA mission to another planet.
Smart About Water:
This trunk was developed with the McAllen Public Utilities Board to teach local residents about
water quality and pollution.
Exciting and educational, it utilizes the museum’s Mobile Apple Lab.
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------------------------------------------tours
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Tours:
TEKS-Aligned School Tours at IMAS
All group programs require reservations and deposit made at least two weeks in advance. School
Tours at IMAS are aligned with TEKS/TAKS learning objectives in science, language arts,
social studies and art.
Each tour lasts two hours and includes hands-on activities and guided explanations of museum
exhibits.
Spanish-speaking tours are available upon request.
COST: $6/student, $4/chaperone, teachers are free
HOURS: Tours are available Tuesday-Saturday from 9am-5pm
GROUP SIZE: Groups must be between 10 and 100 students
CHAPERONES: One chaperone per ten students is required
Adult Tours:
IMAS is pleased to offer guided tours to your group or organization.
If you would like more information on adult tours, please contact Sissy Vaughn at 956.682.1564,
ext. 116.
COST: $6/person, $5/senior
HOURS: Tours are available Tuesday-Saturday from 9am-5pm
GROUP SIZE: Groups must be between 10 and 100 adults
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-------------------------------------education program
--------------Education Programs:
IMAS offers classes and programs for children and adults throughout the year.
Recent adult classes have encouraged watercolor painting, drawing with pencil and mosaics.
The summer classes of Operation Imagination address the visual and literary arts, science and
culture.
Children experience a multitude of activities, experiments and opportunities as they draw
inspiration from the beauty of our exhibits and displays.
This is truly a hands-on learning environment and our well-trained staff is thoughtful and
friendly.
Each class has a maximum of 25 students and staff members supervise the classroom and aid in
the child’s explorations and creations.
Students in the afternoon camp are welcome to stay at the museum for supervised playtime on
Rioscape or in IMAS’ Discovery Pavilion.
Campers will be supervised between 4pm and 5pm but must be picked up by 5pm.
Educational Events:
IMAS hosts special educational events and festivals at various times throughout the year.
IMAS also hosts STARS Parties at several times during the year with the South Texas
Astronomical Research Society (STARS).
These night events feature telescope viewings of planets and astronomy-themed activities.
Please call 956.682.1564 for information on upcoming educational events and/or festivals.
-----------------------------------------------------------how to reserve
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How to Reserve:
All group programs require reservations made at least two weeks in advance.
Some programs have particularly busy seasons, so please reserve programs as early as possible
by calling Sissy Vaughn at 956.682.1564, ext.116.
When you call, please have the following information ready:
Group organizer’s name, school name, mailing address and phone number.
Number of students and grade level. Let us know if students have special needs.
Number of teachers and chaperones. A minimum of one adult per ten children is required.
Date and time for reservations, with alternate dates.
Credit card or purchase order number to make the deposit.
IMAS requires a non-refundable 50% deposit to reserve all programs.
-------------------------------------mission
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Our Mission:
The mission of the International Museum of Art & Science (IMAS) is to promote a deeper
appreciation for the arts and sciences through its exhibitions, cultural events and educational
programs, and to preserve, expand, and display its permanent art and science collections.
Vision
The vision of the International Museum of Art & Science is to enhance the overall quality of life
for all members of our community through artistic and scientific enlightenment.
Purpose
The statement of purpose contained in the Articles of Incorporation adopted by the Board of
Trustees since May 1967, has not been changed.
The purpose or purposes for which the corporation is organized are:
To engage in all activities, of whatever nature or kind, necessary, useful, expedient, or
appropriate to further public education in the fields of art and science by establishing, operating,
managing, owning and supervising an art and science museum
To schedule exhibits and activities in the arts and science areas
To be responsible for becoming a living museum through the activities of communication and
education
To endeavor to make programs a living experience
To be a teaching museum that conducts special tours and experiences for school classes
The museum is conceived as a community center where activities and exhibits in the arts and
sciences can be meaningful, educational, and available to the public.
To stimulate the visitor and challenge his/her awareness of his/her environmental world
To provide an expanding program whereby the museum becomes a major cultural factor within
the community
To communicate, to teach and to provide enjoyment by presenting a variety of exhibits and
programs
To promote the quality of life by providing for the educational and self-enrichment needs of the
greater McAllen area through the International Museum of Art & Science.
Education Mission & Purpose
The mission of the Education Department of the International Museum of Art & Science is to
enrich, strengthen, and sensitize the community through the cultivation of unique art and science
programs.
The museum’s purpose, as an educational institution is to preserve the past, record the present,
and provide perspective for the future through the collection and care of objects of scientific and
artistic value for research, publication, programs, and exhibition.
History
The Museum was developed through the efforts of the McAllen Junior League to increase the
quality of life for the citizens of the Rio Grande Valley, and to provide activities in the arts and
sciences that are meaningful, educational, and available to the public.
The Museum was chartered under the laws of the state of Texas on June 2, 1967 and granted its
tax exemption certificate in August of that year. On October 7, 1968, the Junior League Museum
Board entered into a leaning agreement with the City of McAllen for a 5,000 square foot
building. Shortly after, a Board of Trustees was appointed and by-laws were adopted. The initial
funding came from donations by local business firms, civic organizations, and individuals. An
Executive Director was employed in June 1969, and building renovations were completed. The
Museum was dedicated and formally opened to the public on October 26, 1969.
On July 4, 1976, a new building was constructed and completed as a Bicentennial Project, and
the Museum moved to 1900 Nolana, where it currently resides.
A new building expansion, partially funded by the New Millennium Capital Campaign, was
constructed and completed in 2001, which added an additional 17,259 square feet to
accommodate 3 classrooms, an artist studio, cafe, gift shop, theater, and a hands-on exhibition
space called the Children’s Discovery Pavilion. In the same year, the Museum completed its
“Community Big Build” project and unveiled “Rioscape: A Children’s Discovery Park”,
incorporating play in an outdoor learning environment that reflects scientific and environmental
concepts specific to the Rio Grande River.
The Museum currently has over 50,000 square feet of exhibit space and public access areas.
Demographics
The Museum’s audience is bi-cultural, with citizens of all ages. IMAS is located on the border
with Mexico in Hidalgo County. According to the US Census Bureau, the population of Hidalgo
County in 2006 was estimated at 700,634 with a population increase of nearly 23% from April 1,
2006 to July 1, 2006. In 2005, over one-third of this population was under age 18, with 89.4% of
the total population being of Hispanic or Latino origin. As of 2000, the census report also
indicates that 50.5% of the people over age 25 earned a high school diploma, with 12% over the
age of 25 having earned a bachelors degree or higher. In 2004, the median household income
was $23,675 with 30.5% living below the poverty level. In 1999, the per capita money income
was $9,899.
Both sides of the border of Texas and Mexico, in an area of approximately 25 towns within five
counties take the opportunity to use the International Museum of Art & Science. During the
fiscal year of 2005-2006, IMAS reached approximately 80,000 people, of which over 50,000
were provided programming via educational and outreach programs, and over 12,000 via the
museum’s school tour program. Nearly half of the Museum’s visitors are schoolchildren.
During the months of October through March, retired citizens from the northern United States
and Canada come to this area seeking warmth from cold winters. The population increases
150,000 in McAllen alone. These part-time citizens of the Rio Grande Valley value the
opportunity educationally and culturally that IMAS offers. This migration of “Winter Texans”
encourages permanent residency here for many. McAllen is ranked #1 in Job Growth, #8 in
Income Growth, and #10 in Cost of Living in a survey of the top metropolitan areas in America
(2003).
Financial
The annual operating budget has been approximately $1.3 Million during the last two years with
near breakeven results.
IMAS depends upon the generosity of the community through donations, grants, sponsorships,
memberships, admissions and fundraisers with about 50% of the revenue graciously provided by
the City of McAllen.
The financial statements are examined annually by independent auditors and are certified without
qualifications.
Additional Information
The American Association of Museums (AAM) accredited IMAS in 1972 and reaccredited the
Museum in 1985 as well as in 1997.
The Museum was evaluated in November 2007, and remains accredited until otherwise noted.
AAM accreditation is the highest national recognition a museum can achieve for best practices
and is a distinction awarded through a rigorous program of peer and professional review.
Additionally, IMAS is one of 104 museums in the world that is part of the Smithsonian’s
Affiliation Program, entitling IMAS access to borrow national treasures from the Smithsonian.
Devoted to the arts and sciences, IMAS presently offers a variety of educational programs that
provide the Region One Texas Education Agency, as well as approximately 12 school districts
throughout the Rio Grande Valley, with museum tours that are tailored to address the TEKS
(Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) standards.
In 2006, both student and teacher evaluations indicate significant learning in the areas of science,
math, geography, social studies, and art because of their visit to the museum.
In support of its mission, IMAS continually offers numerous cultural arts and science events as
well as a rotating schedule of permanent and traveling exhibitions, including works by local,
national, and international contemporary artists. The museum’s permanent collection exhibitions
include: the Geological Collection; a substantial Mexican Folk Art Collection; works by Pablo
Picasso and Salvador Dali; Contemporary American Artists; the Caton Collection of 16th to 19th
Century European Paintings; and the Clark Collection of mainly Constructivist works.
Examples of exhibitions presented at IMAS over the past several years include:
DELETE: "Science on a Sphere (S.O.S.)" developed by NASA and the Pacific Science Center
“ViewSpace” developed by NASA and the Pacific Science Center (not shown),
“Pablo Picasso An Artist’s Vision”, “Out of Africa”, “A River Runs Through Us” (awarded best
environmentally educational exhibit in Texas by Governor Rick Perry in 2001),
“A Survey of the Movement, American Contemporary Glass”, “Hubble Space Telescope, New
Views of the Universe” produced by the Smithsonian Institute Traveling Exhibits program,
“King Tutankhamen, Wonderful Treasures from the Pharaoh’s Tomb”,
“Moving Metal” a survey of 100 years of the art and history of the motorcycle”(needs bullet
point), and “Icons” featuring the cathedral stained glass windows of Louis Comfort Tiffany and
Lamb Studios.
IMAS is constantly expanding to communicate the many programs provided by the Museum. An
extensive network of print and broadcast media are regularly used to send news releases, public
services announcements, editorial and other materials from the museum’s Curatorial and
Education Departments.
Included in the Museum’s sources are 2 daily newspapers, 7 weekly, 3 local and 2 Mexican
television stations, 9 radio stations and numerous periodicals.
The South Texas Historical Museum in Edinburg and the Mission Historical Museum are sister
organizations to IMAS in the Rio Grande Valley.
Although our missions are different, the scope of services provided is similar. All have a direct
relationship for appropriate materials and shared information. IMAS continues to donate various
historical items, where appropriate, to these museums in support of their mission. Working
together to help each other is in the keeping with the spirit of the business and the Rio Grande
Valley.
The museum is open to the public Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday 9 am to 5 pm,
Thursday 9 am to 8 pm. On Sundays, IMAS is open from 1 pm to 5 pm
As of June 2006, IMAS has registered over 1,500 people in the Museum Membership program
that offers free admission year round on a sliding scale basis starting at $50 per year.
IMAS is closed on Mondays, but the administrative offices remain open.
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