I.d.e.a. Museum

The idea Museum (formerly the Arizona Museum for Youth) is a museum designed for exhibiting, teaching, and interacting with the arts.^[1] It changed its name on February 6, 2014, to i.d.e.a., which stands for "imagination, design, experience, art." The idea Museum is primarily designed for younger age groups but has exhibits, classes and activities designed for all age groups. The museum hosts several changing exhibitions each year and features ArtVille, an art-town for kids ages 0 – 4. As part of the exhibits, art classes, workshops and family programs are available to teach art principles and techniques. The idea Museum is run and operated by the City of Mesa, Arizona and is located at 150 Pepper Place in downtown Mesa.

History

The mission of the idea Museum is to ignite the boundless imagination of children by curating wondrous and joyful interactive learning experiences where art and creativity are at the heart of every adventure.

The museum received its 501(c)(3) status in 1978 and was incorporated after several years in the preliminary development phase, bringing to life the vision of Valley philanthropists Jack and John Whiteman. It officially opened in 1980 as the Arizona Museum for Youth, the only children's museum in the United States at the time with a dedicated focus on fine art.

In 1987, the Arizona Museum for Youth became a public/private partnership between the City of Mesa and the Arizona Museum for Youth Friends (now the idea Museum Foundation), a collaboration that continues to support its growth and accessibility.

To reflect its expanding mission and interdisciplinary approach, the museum was renamed the i.d.e.a. Museum in 2014—an acronym standing for imagination, design, experience, and art. The new name marked a shift toward blending art with hands-on learning across science, technology, engineering, and math.

In 2024, as part of a renovation, the museum refreshed its brand once again, evolving to the simplified idea Museum—dropping the periods in the name while embracing a bold new visual identity. This rebranding reflects the museum’s commitment to inclusivity, innovation, and inspiring the next generation of creative thinkers and problem solvers.

Activities

The idea Museum, located in a renovated 1950s grocery store in downtown Mesa, Arizona, features over 20,000 square feet of dynamic, hands-on exhibition and activity space. Highlights include the Whiteman Family Exhibition Gallery, ArtVille, the HUB Gallery, the idea Lab, the idea Studio, classrooms, and a family-friendly lounge area known as the Snackery.

In 2024, the museum completed a significant renovation that included the creation of the idea Lab—a flexible, exhibition and program space designed to explore creativity, technology, and collaborative art making. It serves as a home for interactive STEAM-based exhibits, special programming, and an upcycle challenge, with tools such as 3D printers, laser cutters, microscopes, and other hands-on materials that merge art and science in playful ways.

The Whiteman Family Exhibition Gallery showcases rotating exhibitions several times a year, featuring artworks and interactive installations that reflect timely topics or themes. The HUB Gallery encourages all ages to participate in creative activities such as building with recycled materials, drawing on a giant dry erase wall, and inventing with large-scale building sets like the Rigamajig.

ArtVille is a permanent exhibition designed specifically for children ages 0–4, offering an imaginative town-like environment where young visitors explore, play, and create through age-appropriate activities.

The Snackery offers a relaxed space with seating, vending machines, and quiet activities. Guests are welcome to bring their own food and enjoy a break during their visit.

Due to a surge in attendance and overwhelming community support, the idea Museum is now planning a second phase of renovation to further expand and enhance its spaces. This next transformation is tied to a bond election approved by Mesa voters in 2024, which includes funding for continued improvements to better serve children and families across the region.