What Arizona Science Center does

Arizona Science Center is a private nonprofit science museum and informal STEM education institution headquartered in downtown Phoenix at 600 E. Washington Street, operating a 164,000-square-foot facility that includes the main 120,000 sq ft building designed by Antoine Predock and an adjacent 6,500 sq ft CREATE community makerspace. Founded in 1984 (incorporated 1982), it serves as Arizona's only AAM-accredited science museum and reaches 800,000+ visitors annually across 100+ Arizona cities and towns through onsite, offsite, and online programming.

Core products include 300+ permanent hands-on exhibits, the Dorrance DOME planetarium (reimagined in 2024 with Cosm's 8K+ LED CX System), the Irene P. Flinn Giant Screen Theater, CREATE makerspace programming, traveling exhibitions such as Pompeii: The Exhibition and OceanXperience, summer and break camps (CAMP INNOVATION), adult after-hours events (Science With A TWIST), the Science on Wheels mobile outreach program, the Freeport-McMoRan Foundation Center for Leadership in Learning serving 5,000+ teachers annually, and the AzSEF statewide science and engineering fair. Underlying technology is physical-exhibit and immersive-display-based rather than software-native, with the Cosm LED dome representing the most significant recent technology investment.

Revenue mechanics combine one-time admissions ($14.95-$19.95), premium add-on exhibition tickets, subscription-style memberships, recurring donations and grants from multiple corporate sponsors (Subaru, U.S. Bank, SRP, PNC) and foundations (Freeport-McMoRan, Helios), camp tuition ($150-$500), event rentals, and legacy naming opportunities. The organization runs on a $14M annual operating budget supported by 120+ employees and governed by a Board of Trustees, with Tammy Stewart confirmed as Hazel A. Hare President & CEO in 2026.

Name

Arizona Science Center

Legal name

Arizona Science Center

Website

https://azscience.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Arizona Science Center is a nonprofit science museum in Phoenix operating a 164,000-square-foot facility with 300+ exhibits, a Cosm LED-powered planetarium, a makerspace, and statewide mobile outreach. It serves 800,000+ annual visitors across families, schools, youth, adults, and underserved Arizona communities through admissions, memberships, camps, and grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Science Museum & Informal STEM Education

NAICS

Museums (712110), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (7121), Museums (71211)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Science & Technology Museums (THAJADAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Hands-on Science Exploration & Experiments (Lab Kits, Science Clubs) (EDAMABAA), Science Camps & Field Programs (Nature, Space, Marine, Geology) (EDAMABAB), Space & Astronomy Programs (EDAMABAE)

Keywords

• Interactive science exhibits
• Planetarium and dome experiences
• STEM education programs
• Maker and fabrication workshops
• Museum field trips

Headquarters

HQ city

Phoenix

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. General Admission Tickets: Revenue from daily admission tickets for visitors to the science center
2. Membership Program: Annual memberships providing unlimited access and perks to members
3. Theater and Planetarium Shows: Separate ticket sales for giant screen films and planetarium shows including premium experiences
4. Featured Exhibition Add-ons: Premium add-on ticketing for special traveling exhibitions like Pompeii: The Exhibition
5. CAMP INNOVATION: Summer and school break camps providing STEM education experiences for students
6. Event Spaces and Rentals: Private event hosting including birthday parties, corporate events, and facility rentals
7. Donations and Grants: Philanthropic contributions from individuals, corporations, and foundations to support operations and programs
8. Science With A TWIST: Adult-only after-hours events with cocktails and entertainment
9. Skill Studio Workshops: Hands-on workshops in the makerspace for various skills
10. Adopt a Panel/Chair Program: Legacy naming opportunities in the Dorrance DOME

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Arizona Science Center operates as a 164,000-square-foot hands-on science museum in downtown Phoenix providing interactive exhibits, planetarium shows, giant-screen documentary films, a community makerspace, summer/winter camps, school field trips, mobile STEM outreach, and educator professional development. The center sells admission tickets, memberships, premium exhibition add-ons (e.g., Pompeii), program registrations, and event space rentals, and sustains operations through corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, and donations.

Product overview

Arizona Science Center operates as a science museum and informal science education institution offering a comprehensive portfolio of interconnected products and services. The core offerings include permanent and traveling interactive exhibitions spanning all levels of the facility, the Dorrance DOME planetarium (powered by Cosm's LED technology), and the Irene P. Flinn Giant Screen Theater showing documentary films. Supporting programs include CAMP INNOVATION (summer and break camps), Science on Wheels mobile outreach, Professional Development for educators, and CONNECT online learning. The 6,500 sq ft CREATE makerspace provides hands-on workshops in 3D printing, laser cutting, woodworking, and sewing. Adult programming includes Science With A TWIST events for guests 21+. The Center also operates AzSEF (Arizona Science and Engineering Fair) and Girls in STEM initiatives. Membership programs provide year-round access with benefits.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CREATE at Arizona Science Center: A 6,500 square foot community makerspace providing workshops including 3D printing, laser cutting, woodworking, and sewing. Also includes CREATE on Wheels outreach.
• Dorrance DOME
• CAMP INNOVATION
• AzSEF
• Science With A TWIST
• Galaxy Gala

Products and services

• Permanent and Traveling Exhibitions Interactive, hands-on science exhibits across four levels of the 164,000 sq ft facility plus rotating world-class traveling exhibitions (e.g., Pompeii, OceanXperience) covering topics in science, technology, engineering, and STEM for visitors of all ages.
• Dorrance DOME Planetarium State-of-the-art digital planetarium featuring live presenter-led shows and immersive astronomy experiences, powered by Cosm's CX System LED technology. Separate ticket purchase required from general admission.
• Irene P. Flinn Giant Screen Theater Five-story IMAX/giant screen theater presenting educational documentary films on science, nature, and space topics. Separate ticket purchase required.
• CREATE at Arizona Science Center 6,500 sq ft community makerspace adjacent to the main building offering hands-on workshops including 3D printing, laser cutting, woodworking, and sewing. Targets families, students, and adult learners.
• CAMP INNOVATION Summer and school-break day camps for students in grades 1-12 featuring hands-on STEM activities, experiments, and interactive learning experiences; offered in-person at multiple locations and virtually. Includes the Girls in STEM two-week sessions.
• Professional Development for Educators Teacher training programs and professional development services for K-12 educators across Arizona, including the Freeport-McMoRan Foundation Center for Leadership in Learning and the Early Childhood Educate to Innovate Conference (E2I).
• Science on Wheels Outreach Mobile outreach programs bringing hands-on STEM experiences to schools, libraries, and community centers throughout Arizona, including rural areas and tribal nations. Reaches 60,000+ children and adults annually statewide.
• Arizona Science and Engineering Fair (AzSEF) Annual Arizona state science and engineering competition connecting Arizona student winners to the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). Managed by Arizona Science Center.
• Girls in STEM Targeted programs encouraging young women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics; includes the Chevy Humphrey Women in STEM Scholarship ($2,000 annually for 10 years funded by Helios Education Foundation).
• Science With A TWIST Adults-only (21+) after-hours experience featuring cocktails, live science demonstrations, hands-on activities, and entertainment across all four levels of the Science Center.
• Annual Membership Program Year-round membership passes providing unlimited general admission, discounts on films and planetarium shows, member-exclusive events, and additional perks. Drives repeat visitation and recurring revenue.
• Event Spaces and Rentals Private event hosting at the museum including birthday parties, corporate events, weddings, and facility rentals for organizations and individuals.
• Birthday Party Packages Hosted birthday party experiences for children at the Science Center, providing a turnkey, hands-on celebration venue.
• Evans Family SkyCycle Attraction Level 2 suspended-bicycle attraction allowing guests to pedal bicycles above the museum floor while learning principles of physics and motion.

Quantifiable outcome

• 800,000+ annual visitors including students, teachers, families, and adults
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Lab Safety Institute and Phoenix Union School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership to advance STEM safety and research opportunities for faculty and students.
• U.S. BankcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Supported Pompeii: The Exhibition as major corporate sponsor.
• SRP (Salt River Project)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Supported Pompeii: The Exhibition as major corporate sponsor.
• CosmcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2024Partnership to reimagine Dorrance Planetarium into next-generation 8K+ LED dome using Cosm's cutting-edge CX System LED technology, creating one of the world's most advanced digital domes.
• OceanXcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Created OceanXperience exhibition bringing interactive replica of OceanXplorer vessel and cutting-edge ocean science to visitors.
• Science NorthcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Collaboration to create groundbreaking traveling exhibition 'Skeletons: The Wonders Within' and co-production of Jane Goodall's Reasons for Hope large format film.
• National Taiwan Science Education CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023MOU signing to advance STEM workforce development and international collaboration in science education.
• Arizona State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Partnership for MISSION FUTURE - Arizona 2045 exhibition exploring climate change and space science.
• National Informal STEM Education NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Partnered for MISSION FUTURE - Arizona 2045 exhibition.
• SciencentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Produced Life on the Edge exhibition exploring extreme environments on Earth and beyond, in partnership with SPIF and supported by NASA.
• Little Ray's Nature CentresminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Produced Survival of the Slowest exhibition featuring live animals in partnership with Canadian Museum of Nature.
• WaymominorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022Supported Going Places exhibition about transportation technology.
• AmtrakminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022Supported Going Places exhibition about transportation technology.
• Subaru of AmericacoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 20225+ year partnership supporting Snow Week and Under the Hood automotive science exhibition.
• Education Forward ArizonacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Provides mentoring services for Women in STEM Scholarship recipients.
• AZ OnTrack (Governor's Office)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022State initiative hosting 1,800 children at CAMP INNOVATION at no cost to families.
• NASAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Supported Life on the Edge exhibition and MISSION FUTURE - Arizona 2045.
• SciTech Perth (Australia)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Created Going Places exhibition about transportation technology.
• College Success ArizonacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Provides mentoring services for Women in STEM Scholarship recipients.
• Imagine ExhibitionscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Produced multiple traveling exhibitions including Astronaut, Going Places.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Pacific Science Center: Seattle-based nonprofit science center with IMAX, planetarium, laser dome, and traveling exhibitions. Closely comparable in size, programming mix (permanent exhibits + IMAX + planetarium + camps), and nonprofit operating model.
• Liberty Science Center: Jersey City, NJ science center with a planetarium, IMAX, and premium traveling exhibitions. Comparable in programming mix and nonprofit operating model, serving a regional market.
• COSI (Center of Science and Industry): Columbus, Ohio-based science center with hands-on exhibits, planetarium, and maker programming. Closely comparable footprint, programming mix (CREATE-equivalent makerspace, IMAX, traveling exhibitions), and nonprofit structure.
• Science North: Science and technology centre in Sudbury, Ontario operating a science museum, planetarium, and IMAX theatre. Direct peer as a regional science center; the two organizations co-produce traveling exhibitions including Skeletons and the Jane Goodall film, and former Arizona Science Center CEO Guy Labine came from Science North.
• Discovery Place: Charlotte, NC-based science and nature museum with IMAX, planetarium, and hands-on exhibits. Closely comparable scale and programming depth to Arizona Science Center, with a similar regional nonprofit structure.

Broad incumbents

• California Science Center: Large-scale science museum in Los Angeles with permanent exhibits, IMAX, and a major space-shuttle exhibit. Comparable operating model (nonprofit science museum with planetarium/IMAX) but materially larger in scale and budget, anchoring the broader California market.
• Franklin Institute: Philadelphia science museum and education institution with IMAX, planetarium, and traveling exhibitions. Comparable in scope and the deployment of blockbuster special exhibitions, but operates in a larger and denser East Coast market.
• Museum of Science and Industry (Chicago): One of the largest science museums in the world, located in Chicago. Comparable in exhibition-driven operating model and traveling exhibition programming, but materially larger in scale, attendance, and brand recognition.
• Exploratorium: San Francisco-based interactive science museum focused on hands-on exhibits and inquiry-based learning. Directly comparable to Arizona Science Center's hands-on STEM engagement philosophy, with a stronger brand and larger endowment.

Others

• Imagine Exhibitions: Atlanta-based producer of traveling exhibitions including those hosted at Arizona Science Center (Pompeii, Astronaut, Going Places). Not a direct competitor but a key upstream content partner and distribution channel.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/azsciencecenter
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/ArizonaScienceCntr
• Facebookfacebook.com/arizonasciencecenter
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/arizona-science-center
• Instagraminstagram.com/azscience

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Arizona Science Center