About the Museum.

As Santa Barbara’s newest hands-on destination for families and curious minds of all ages, MOXI is a place where you can explore and discover new things about the world around you, ask questions, seek answers and have a blast doing so. Learn more about our history, exhibits + programs, and plans for the future here.

To strengthen our institutional culture and ensure we are united around a common philosophy:

The museum you can visit today started as a dream more than 20 years ago. A group of dedicated and dynamic community volunteers came together with the desire to create a world-class museum in their own backyard that would provide opportunities for learning outside the traditional classroom. After a few starts and stops, in 2013, the City of Santa Barbara made it possible for us to create this place on a plot of unused land on lower State Street. We are now in a 50-year lease agreement with the City, ensuring our science museum will have a perfectly positioned home for many years to come. Our Barry Berkus-designed building also has the distinction of being the first LEED Gold certified museum in Santa Barbara County.

Our Opening Day on February 25, 2017 was the culmination of years of work by a determined and tireless group of community volunteers, supported by countless individuals, businesses and foundations from the Santa Barbara region and beyond. It was, however, just the beginning of something far greater – delivering on our promise of igniting learning for all through our exhibits, programs, community outreach and more.

MOXI delivers on its mission through play-based STEAM learning experiences available to the public at the museum located at 125 State Street in beautiful Santa Barbara, California. Our 25,000 square foot building houses three floors filled with interactive exhibits, rotating art installations, the Innovation Workshop makerspace, a multipurpose Exploration Lab, and back-of-house office and exhibit workshop space. Learn more about our Exhibits and Art Installations here. The museum also offers programs for all ages from toddlers to adults, including teachers and students. MOXI is a place where fun comes first and learning happens in active, exciting, and unexpected ways. We believe in education through engagement and enjoyment. All guests can participate in daily programs and experiences facilitated by MOXI’s floor staff known as Sparks. MOXI also offers paid programs for all ages throughout the year, from week-long Camps for children to Happy Hour events for adults, and more – there is something for everyone at MOXI. Educators and students have opportunities to visit on field trips and for Engineering Exploration programs.