Museum of Arts and Sciences
The Museum of Arts and Sciences was started from "an idea and a dream," in the words of one of its founders, but no money. In 1956, a group of educators and civic-minded individuals who wanted to enrich the educational opportunities of Bibb County school children joined forces to bring that dream to fruition. Launched with a $25 gift from a first grade teacher, the Museum's first operating income came from the United Givers Fund, a forerunner of the United Way, and the Junior League of Macon via annual contracts; it was several years before the Board was able to hire directors with museological credentials. Despite its modest beginnings, the Museum has grown, in partnership with dedicated volunteers, numerous community organizations, and support from local governments, from a single rented room in the basement of an abandoned conservatory to a professionally designed, 55,000 sq. ft. building on 14 acres.
Major capital efforts in 1964, 1980-84, 1989, and 1996 produced facilities that include four changing exhibition galleries; a three-story Discovery House with hands-on interactive exhibits interpreting art, science, and humanities; an installation for the display of a varied collection of live mammals, reptiles, birds, and insects; a 40-foot domed planetarium; an observatory; a network of nature trails and gardens; and a collections storage vault, a 250-seat auditorium, a classroom, and a store.
The purpose of the Museum of Arts and Sciences is to acquire, preserve, study, interpret, and exhibit objects of artistic, scientific, historical, or cultural value that have inherent significance to the people of Central Georgia, so as to promote a fuller understanding of humankind, its heritage and environment. Click here to download the Museum's Strategic Plan (PDF).
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