Oregon Museum of Science and Industry(OMSI)

What Oregon Museum of Science and Industry(OMSI) does

OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit science museum founded in 1944 and headquartered on the Portland, Oregon waterfront. The organization serves approximately 750,000 on-site visitors annually and reaches a total of roughly 1.1 million learners through on-site and outreach programming. Its physical campus includes multiple hands-on science laboratories, a planetarium, a large-format theater, the USS Blueback submarine tour, and the newly opened Nancy Stueber Natural Sciences Hall, with the broader OMSI District master plan underway to expand the campus footprint.

The museum's core product set consists of permanent exhibits and labs, temporary and traveling exhibitions (including a national distribution footprint of 12+ partner venues), planetarium and theater programming, a fee-based summer-camp program operating across three distinct geographies, and the Regional Educator Program. Programming is supported by a portfolio of approximately 48 National Science Foundation grants and by corporate and foundation partners, including Boeing and The Standard Charitable Foundation. Notable recent content launches include the TITANIC exhibition and the Physics Lab refresh funded by Boeing.

OMSI is funded through a diversified mix of revenue channels: ticket admissions priced in a $15.50–$29.50 range, memberships, summer-camp fees, corporate and foundation grants, federal grants (NSF), retail, traveling-exhibit licensing, and venue rentals. The organization employs 251–500 staff. Its customers span families, K–12 school groups, adult learners, and corporate/community partners, and its programs are delivered on-site in Portland and distributed regionally and nationally through traveling exhibits and educator outreach.

Name

Oregon Museum of Science and Industry(OMSI)

Legal name

Oregon Museum of Science and Industry

Website

https://omsi.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1944

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

OMSI is a Portland, Oregon-based nonprofit science museum founded in 1944, serving 750,000 annual on-site visitors and 1.1 million total learners through exhibits, labs, planetarium, theater, submarine tours, summer camps, and traveling exhibitions supported by NSF, corporate, and foundation funding.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Science Museum and Informal STEAM Education

NAICS

Museums (712110), Museums (71211)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYTHAJADAD

Science & Technology Museums

Travel & Hospitality/Tours, Attractions & Experiences/Museums, Galleries & Cultural Institutions

SECONDARYEDAMABAA

Hands-on Science Exploration & Experiments (Lab Kits, Science Clubs)

Education/Supplemental & Enrichment Programs (Arts, STEM, Language)/STEM Enrichment & Science Programs

SECONDARYEDAEAGAI

Makerspace, Innovation Lab & Fab Lab Operations (Tools, Safety, Programming)

Education/Education Facilities & Support Services/Library, Media Center & Learning Space Operations

SECONDARYEDAMADAC

Makerspaces & Fab Labs (Open Build Studios)

Education/Supplemental & Enrichment Programs (Arts, STEM, Language)/Robotics, Engineering & Makerspaces

Keywords

• Science museum exhibits
• STEAM education programs
• Hands-on science labs
• Traveling science exhibitions
• Museum membership programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Portland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Museum Admission and Ticketed Experiences: OMSI generates primary revenue from general museum admission and premium ticketed experiences such as TITANIC: The Artifact Exhibition, USS Blueback submarine tours, planetarium shows, and Empirical Theater screenings. These are one-time transaction-based purchases with varying price points by age group.
2. Memberships: OMSI sells annual memberships providing unlimited general admission, discounts at the museum store, free or discounted ticketed experiences, and access to over 300 museums via ASTC Passport Program. Memberships are recurring annual subscriptions.
3. Camps and Programs: Revenue from day camps, overnight camps (Camp Gray at the coast, Camp Hancock in the desert), summer classes, field trips, birthday parties, and school/community programs. These are primarily seasonal and registration-based.
4. Grants and Donations: OMSI receives significant funding from government grants (NSF, IMLS), foundation grants (Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation, Genentech, PGE Foundation), corporate partnerships, and individual donations. These support exhibit development, programs, and capital projects.
5. Food Service and Retail: Revenue from Theory restaurant (on-site waterfront dining), Theory patio catering, and the OMSI Store (operated by Muzemerch partner).
6. Corporate Partnerships and Sponsorships: Corporate partners (Boeing, PGE, Boeing, Applied Materials, and others) provide financial support, in-kind contributions, volunteer programs, and STEAM kit sponsorship in exchange for brand visibility and community engagement.
7. Traveling Exhibits and Exhibit Rentals: OMSI develops traveling exhibitions (Wild Creativity, Snow, Under the Arctic, Animationland, In Search of Earth's Secrets, Wildfire + Human Health) that are rented to other museums and science centers nationwide for $20,000-$60,000 per season plus logistics.
8. Venue Rental and Private Events: OMSI rents its spaces for private events including corporate events, weddings, museum-wide receptions, meetings, and film screenings, generating event-based revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels9 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

OMSI operates a science and technology museum in Portland, Oregon, featuring interactive exhibits, hands-on science labs (Physics, Chemistry, Paleontology, Life), the Kendall Planetarium, Empirical Theater, USS Blueback submarine tours, and themed exhibit halls. The organization also develops and rents traveling exhibitions to other museums, runs day and overnight camps at coastal and desert facilities, delivers school and community-based STEAM programs, and operates an online learning hub.

Product overview

OMSI is a science museum offering a diverse portfolio of exhibits, labs, theaters, and educational programs centered around its Portland museum location. The core experience includes permanent exhibit halls (Turbine Hall, Science Playground, Natural Sciences Hall), hands-on science labs (Physics, Chemistry, Paleontology, Life, Discovery Labs), ticketed attractions (USS Blueback Submarine, Kendall Planetarium, Empirical Theater), and rotating feature exhibits. OMSI extends its reach through traveling exhibitions available for rental to other institutions, regional educator programs embedded in schools like Tamarack Elementary in Hillsboro, overnight and day camps at coastal and desert locations, online learning resources, and special events including Science Pubs, OMSI After Dark, and Community Science Nights. The museum also encompasses the Best Buy Teen Tech Center and is developing the future OMSI District on Portland's waterfront.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• OMSI District: A planned one-of-a-kind neighborhood and inclusive community destination with innovation, culture, arts, and science learning at its heart, developed in collaboration with local, Tribal and regional government entities, nonprofits, and businesses.
• The Mezz
• Teen Tech Center

Products and services

• OMSI Museum (Portland Campus)
• TITANIC: The Artifact Exhibition
• Nancy Stueber Natural Sciences Hall
• Turbine Hall + Curium
• USS Blueback Submarine Tour
• Kendall Planetarium
• Empirical Theater
• Physics Lab
• Chemistry Lab
• Paleontology Lab
• Life Lab
• Science Playground
• Discovery Lab
• Teen Tech Center / The Mezz
• OMSI After Dark
• Science Pubs
• Community Science Nights
• Curiosity Kids
• OMSI Day and Overnight Camps
• OMSI Regional Educator Program (Hillsboro)
• Online Learning Hub
• Wild Creativity (Traveling Exhibition)
• Snow: Tiny Crystals, Global Impact (Traveling Exhibition)
• Under the Arctic: Digging Into Permafrost (Traveling Exhibition)
• Animationland (Traveling Exhibition)
• In Search of Earth's Secrets (Traveling Exhibition)
• Wildfire + Human Health (Traveling Exhibition)
• OMSI Membership
• Theory Restaurant

Quantifiable outcome

• 750,000 annual museum visitors
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature5 records

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Portland General Electric (PGE)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 April 2026PGE is the energy sponsor for the Nancy Stueber Natural Sciences Hall through 2030 and co-developed an interactive exhibit focused on clean energy. PGE's history with OMSI dates to 1989 when PGE donated the property for OMSI's Water Avenue facility. PGE Foundation also supports youth education programming. Corporate partner for STEAM kit builds and regional engagement.
• RMS Titanic Inc. / E/M GroupmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Curated TITANIC: The Artifact Exhibition — a major temporary exhibit featuring over 100 authentic artifacts from the Titanic wreck site, exclusive to OMSI (West Coast). Includes immersive VR tour, audio guides, and an Immersive Gallery. On view March 21 – October 18, 2026.
• TimberlabminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Partnered with OMSI to create the striking entrance sculpture of the Natural Sciences Hall, made from reclaimed yellow cedar mass-timber construction.
• Local Artists Daren Todd and Lettie Jane RenekampminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Created murals in the Natural Sciences Hall on themes of community and connection, featuring Indigenous community representation.
• Project LEDOcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2025Multi-year partnership between OMSI and Project LEDO to reimagine and update all six of OMSI's hands-on museum labs. Project LEDO, a Portland-based nonprofit focused on equity and diversity in STEM, is helping inform OMSI's 5-year lab refresh plan and co-developing culturally relevant programming. Funded by IMLS grant. Partnership kicked off with Physics Lab Takeover showcasing Black women in science during Black History Month 2025.
• SummerWorks (Worksystems)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Summer employment program connecting youth with first work experiences at OMSI, including teen interns in the Teen Tech Center who developed projects like Cybexercise VR gym.
• Hillsboro School DistrictmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership hosting OMSI's Regional Educator Program at Tamarack Elementary, with an embedded OMSI lab and educator serving four schools and 1,300+ students annually.
• Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Partnership bringing Visual Mathematics class to OMSI, where PNCA students created posters communicating mathematical phenomena in visually engaging formats for young audiences.
• Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts (animation partners)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Animation concepts and character development created in partnership with Jolby & Friends for the Animationland traveling exhibition.
• Adelante MujeresmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Community partner co-developing the Climate of Change/Clima de Cambio exhibition in the Nancy Stueber Natural Sciences Hall. Contributed stories of Latine community leadership in sustainable agriculture and climate action. Previously collaborated with OMSI on the Wild Creativity biomimicry exhibit.
• NAYA (Native American Youth Association)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partnered with OMSI in developing the Climate of Change/Clima de Cambio exhibition. NAYA youth helped improve the Science on a Sphere experience within the Natural Sciences Hall, bringing Indigenous perspectives to climate education.
• Albina Vision TrustmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Community partner contributing to the Climate of Change/Clima de Cambio exhibition, sharing stories of community-driven climate action and resilience from Portland's Albina community.
• Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Tribal partner contributing Indigenous knowledge and fisheries science expertise to the Climate of Change/Clima de Cambio exhibition, showcasing tribal leadership in sustainable resource management.
• South Slough Reserve (Coastal Training Program)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partner contributing coastal and marine science content to the Climate of Change/Clima de Cambio exhibition, supporting climate resilience education.
• High Desert PartnershipmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partner contributing high desert ecosystem and climate adaptation content to the Climate of Change/Clima de Cambio exhibition, representing eastern Oregon communities.
• Portland-area Indigenous Community LeadersmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Portland-area Indigenous community leaders collaborated on the Climate of Change/Clima de Cambio exhibition, contributing place-based knowledge and cultural perspectives to climate change education.
• Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partner in the Wildfire + Human Health bilingual traveling exhibition (SEPA/NIH-funded), addressing health impacts of wildfire and smoke exposure on vulnerable populations.
• Oregon MESAmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partner in the Wildfire + Human Health exhibition, expanding access to STEM education for underrepresented students in Oregon.
• World Forestry CentermajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partner in the Wildfire + Human Health exhibition, contributing forestry and land use expertise.
• Oregon Commission for the BlindmajorTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2021Consultants who recommended Aira visual interpretation service to OMSI, enabling accessibility for visitors with visual impairments across the OMSI campus and camps.
• Aira (visual interpretation service provider)majorTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2021Technology partner providing free visual interpretation for visitors with visual impairments at OMSI's Water Avenue campus and both camp locations, enabling independent museum exploration.
• Biomimicry InstitutemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Partner in the Wild Creativity traveling exhibition (NSF DRL 1811617), bringing biomimicry and sustainable design education to museums nationally.
• The Fleet Science Center (San Diego)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Collaborated with OMSI and Adelante Mujeres on the Wild Creativity traveling exhibition, which is co-developed with culturally responsive strategies for Latino communities and is on national tour.
• Geophysical Institute at University of Alaska FairbanksmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Partner in both Under the Arctic: Digging Into Permafrost (NSF DRL-1423587) and Snow: Tiny Crystals, Global Impact (NSF DRL-1808749) traveling exhibitions, providing permafrost and cryosphere research expertise.
• JOIDES Resolution Science Operator / International Ocean Discovery ProgrammajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Partner for the In Search of Earth's Secrets traveling exhibition, offering unique opportunities to host JOIDES Resolution scientists at partner museum sites and featuring Earth science research.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Pacific Science Center: Seattle-based science center and one of OMSI's closest regional peers, operating hands-on exhibits, IMAX theater, and educational programs serving the Pacific Northwest. Both institutions focus on interactive STEM learning and share audience and traveling exhibit relationships.
• Exploratorium: San Francisco landmark science museum known for hands-on exhibits and inquiry-based learning. Comparable in mission, exhibit-based revenue model, and emphasis on interactive science experiences for broad audiences.
• Museum of Science and Industry (Chicago): One of the largest science museums in the world, sharing OMSI's exact naming pattern and science-and-industry mission focus. Operates major temporary exhibitions and immersive experiences at significantly larger scale but with highly comparable business model.
• California Academy of Sciences: San Francisco-based science institution combining aquarium, planetarium, and natural history museum. Comparable as a multi-disciplinary science attraction with membership programs, school programs, and rotating special exhibitions.
• The Franklin Institute: Philadelphia-based science museum focused on hands-on STEM education with similar exhibit-based revenue model and emphasis on physics, chemistry, and interactive learning experiences.
• Science Museum of Minnesota: Saint Paul-based science museum with comparable focus on hands-on exhibits, traveling exhibitions, educational programs, and similar nonprofit operating model serving a regional audience.
• COSI (Center of Science and Industry): Columbus, Ohio science center sharing OMSI's 'science and industry' mission framing. Operates hands-on labs, traveling exhibits, and educational programs with a comparable visitor scale and nonprofit structure.
• Fleet Science Center: San Diego-based science center and existing OMSI collaborator (co-developed Wild Creativity exhibition). Operates IMAX theater, hands-on exhibits, and educational programs at comparable scale with similar audience demographic.

Regional players

• Science World British Columbia: Vancouver-based science center serving a comparable Pacific Northwest audience with similar hands-on exhibit philosophy and educational programming. Operates in a different national market but reaches overlapping regional demographics.

Emerging players

• Kiewit Luminarium: Omaha-based newer science center that has hosted OMSI's traveling exhibits. Represents an emerging peer in the next-generation science center category with interactive, design-forward exhibits targeting similar audiences.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/omsi
• Facebookfacebook.com/omsi.museum
• Instagraminstagram.com/omsi
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/omsi

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Oregon Museum of Science and Industry(OMSI)