MOXI Hits 100,000 Visitor Milestone in Five Months
Release Date: July 27,2017
SANTA BARBARA’S NEW MOXI MUSEUM WELCOMES 100,000 VISITORS IN FIRST FIVE MONTHS, EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS
Interactive science museum for all ages also named one of the “10 Best New Museums in the World” by Fodor’s Travel
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (July 26, 2017) – MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation has welcomed its 100,000th visitor since opening in February, exceeding its initial attendance projections by more than 30%. To say Santa Barbara’s new hands-on science museum has been busy during its first five months is an understatement. The museum’s first summer science camps are almost all at capacity and the first two adults-only, afterhours parties both quickly sold out. The appeal of MOXI has proven to be broad with guests of all ages coming from throughout California, as well as from across the country and even around the world.
“We are so fortunate that the public has enthusiastically embraced MOXI. It’s been truly delightful to see all ages from toddlers to grandparents and everyone in between enjoying the museum. Local families have flocked to MOXI and we are thrilled to be meeting a vital need in this community for opportunities to learn outside a traditional classroom,” said Alixe Mattingly, interim president and CEO.
MOXI is indeed extremely popular with locals, with approximately 75% of the museum’s guests hailing from Santa Barbara County, and 20% coming from elsewhere in California from San Diego to San Francisco and all points in between. Guests have also visited from 40 states and 9 countries. MOXI is also quickly becoming a local resource for STEAM-based learning. The museum has introduced programming for children that includes field trips, summer camps and after school programs. Nearly 4,000 school children visited on field trips in the spring, including students from 17 Title 1 schools. Plus, educators in Santa Barbara and Ventura County are eligible for free general admission. An Education Fund was recently established with an initial gift of a $500,000 matching grant from the Babich Family Foundation to inspire others in the community to help support MOXI educational programs and outreach.
Recently named one of the “10 Best New Museums in the World” by Fodor’s Travel, the museum is a welcome addition to the tourist scene in Santa Barbara. Situated between the train tracks and the beach on the edge of the Funk Zone, MOXI has brought new life to lower State Street on a formerly vacant lot.
The museum’s three floors are filled with interactive exhibits and experiences grouped into seven broad topic areas called Tracks. On the first floor, there are the areas dedicated to Sound, Fantastic Forces and Tech, including MOXI’s own dedicated makerspace called the Innovation Workshop. The second floor features Light, Speed and Interactive Media, including a small black box theater that will house rotating exhibitions and shows. The third floor is home to the rooftop Levinson Family Sky Garden and features exhibits that take advantage of the natural elements and stunning views of the mountains, harbor, and Stearns Wharf.
MOXI is now open daily from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. MOXI members enjoy free general admission for a year as well as a variety of other benefits. The museum will host its inaugural fundraising event, MOXI@Night on Saturday, September 23 and is currently seeking sponsors for this special evening.
About MOXI
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 is LEED-certified Gold and serves 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. MOXI is now open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, or to learn how to get involved, visit moxi.org or contact MOXI at 805-770-5000.
