Frequently Asked Questions

Q. When will the Imaginarium close and move to the museum?
A. The Imaginarium will close its 5th Avenue location in September 2009 and will re-open in the expanded museum in May 2010.

Q. How will the Imaginarium be assimilated into the museum?
A. When the Imaginarium moves to the museum, the museum will adopt the Imaginarium’s philosophy for interactive, hands on learning and incorporate it into its exhibits and programming. Science will be added to the museum’s mission and a Discovery Center will house science exhibits and programs. The Alaska Gallery will add hands on components during its renovation phase. A Family Space/Children’s Gallery will open on the third floor of the new wing with art, history or science themed exhibits.

Q. Will the Imaginarium retain its name and identity?
A. Yes. Outreach programs will be tagged with the Imaginarium name and will expand to include art and history programming. The science galleries will be named Imaginarium Discovery Center.

Q. What will happen to the Imaginarium staff and board?
A. We will do our best to make sure there is a job for everyone. Job titles and responsibilities may shift, as we will have a new organizational structure that reflects our new mission and strategic direction. Imaginarium staff will become museum staff and the Imaginarium board will be scaled down and absorbed into the Anchorage Museum Association board. The museum will form a science advisory committee that shall act as an ongoing committee of the board of the museum and be responsible for ensuring that science aspects of the museum are “scientifically accurate, vibrant and interactive”. Imaginarium director Chris Cable will become a deputy director over public programs and education at the museum.

Q. How will Imaginarium exhibits and programs change?
A. Science exhibits will be upgraded and outreach programs will continue and expand to include art and history.

Q. What about Imaginarium favorites like baby chicks, bubbles, science static display, and science store?
A. Those educational tools will be utilized in the new science discovery space at the museum, with upgrades to many -- like the touch tank and tidal pool. Science related learning toys, games and other inventory from the science store will be available for purchase in an expanded museum shop.

Q. Will the museum do birthday parties and overnights?
A. Those programs will continue in the expanded museum.

Q. What happens with Imaginarium memberships?
A. As of the date of the official merger and until The Imaginarium re-opens in 2010, both organizations’ members will enjoy reciprocal member benefits.

Q. When will the expanded museum with the Imaginarium open?
A. Spring 2010

Q. Will there be a new admission fee?
A. Yes, the museum is doubling in size with expanded programming, and admission to the expanded Anchorage Museum will increase in 2010. We don’t have those rates set yet but we know there will different rates for residents and non-residents and a fee structure for children from toddlers through teens.