i.d.e.a. Museum, Mesa

The i.d.e.a. Museum focuses on exhibiting, teaching, and interacting with the fine arts. The name i.d.e.a. stands for "imagination, design, experience, art."

The museum caters primarily to younger audiences but offers exhibits, classes, and activities for all age groups. It hosts several changing exhibitions each year and features ArtVille, an art-town for kids ages 0-4. The museum provides art classes, workshops, and family programs to teach art principles and techniques.

The i.d.e.a. Museum is housed in a refurbished 1950s grocery store and offers over 20,000 square feet of public exhibition space. Key areas include the Whiteman Family Exhibit Gallery, ArtVille, The HUB gallery, the Snackery, and three classrooms. The HUB gallery has engaging art activities for all ages, such as building with recyclable materials and creating art on a dry erase marker wall. ArtVille is a permanent exhibition tailored for children 0-4 years old, set up as a small town.

Year-round, the museum offers fine arts workshops for children aged 6 months to 12 years. Family programs, summer camps, Girl Scout Badge classes, and special Saturday drop-in workshops are also available. The three classrooms are used for school tours, where trained Gallery Educators lead art activities.

The Snackery provides a lounging area with vending machines, tables, and activities. Visitors are welcome to bring their own food.