Explore Campus Wonders
Saturday, April 4, 2026
Museums across the University of Arizona are proud to offer free or reduced admission in celebration of U of A Museum Day 2026 on Saturday, April 4 from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm.
Immerse yourself in a day filled with discovery and wonder, where you can visit twelve unique museums and collections, bridging the arts and science. Plan your day using the U of A Museum Day map and the links below.
Participating Museums:
African American Museum of Southern Arizona • Alfie Norville Gem and Mineral Museum • The Archive of Visual Arts (AVA) • Biosphere 2 • Center for Creative Photography • Coit Museum of Pharmacy and Health Sciences • Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium • Health Sciences Innovation Building • John E. Greivenkamp Museum of Optics • Museum Association of Arizona • Museum of Democracy • Poetry Center • Tree-Ring Lab • UA Museum of Art • Worlds of Words Center
African American Museum of Southern Arizona
Explore the African American Museum of Southern Arizona (AAMSAZ) through the powerful stories, artifacts, and cultural contributions of African Americans in Tucson and the Southwest. Visitors can experience rotating exhibitions, guided tours by knowledgeable volunteers, and interactive storytelling that highlight community leaders, civil rights history, and everyday life shaped by resilience and creativity. Families and children are welcome to engage with hands-on, educational activities that bring history and culture to life. Admission is free, and guided tours are available by appointment to ensure an immersive and meaningful visit.
African American Museum of Southern Arizona (AAMSA)
Location:
The University of Arizona Student Union, Room 244
1303 E University Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85719
https://www.aamsaz.org/
Kid friendly?
Yes — programs and exhibits welcome all ages, and there are educational activities suitable for youth.
Cost: Free
Reservation required?
Self-guided visits are welcome, but guided tours and larger groups require advance sign-up (recommended at least two weeks ahead): https://www.aamsaz.org/sign-up-for-tours-and-visits/
Audience: Limited to 71 max in the space; we recommend groups no bigger than 30.
Getting There:
Walk toward the mall past the Starbucks and the Bookstore. Before you hit the mall, the last breezeway on your left is the USS AZ Museum. Take a left there, and we are next door.
Parking: The easiest Parking is in the 2nd Street Garage.
Contact:
Nikieia Johnson,
nikieiajohnson@arizona.edu
(520) 621-2600
Alfie Norville Gem and Mineral Museum
The Alfie Norville Gem and Mineral Museum invites you to explore its three galleries through a self-guided tour highlighting Earth’s geological story and artistic transformation. The Mineral Evolution Gallery explores the formation of our planet through rock-forming minerals, meteorites, and fossils, while the Arizona Gallery showcases the region’s rich mineral heritage, with a focus on Arizona and Mexico’s turquoise and copper-bearing minerals. The Gem Gallery reveals the cutting processes that transform raw materials into dazzling gemstones and fine jewelry.
Location:
115 N Church Ave Suite 121
https://gemandmineralmuseum.arizona.edu/
Kid friendly? Yes
Audience: All ages, no capacity limit
Reduced admission will be offered during this event:
$10 for adults, with free admission for children.
Contact:
Jordan Halter, Guest Services Coordinator
jordanhalter@arizona.edu
520-621-5937
The Archive of Visual Arts
Welcome to the Archive of Visual Arts, the offsite research branch of the University of Arizona Museum of Art (UAMA). Our collections at AVA preserve artistic works and archival materials from contemporary artists of the Southwest. Guests are invited to tour our space and interact with featured archival exhibits highlighting original works and a broad range of cultural heritage materials documenting the artistic careers of artists such as Robert McCall, Francis O’Brien and Maurice Grossman.
Important location Detail:
While the AVA is the research branch of the UAMA, it is in a separate building just off
campus near the Southeast corner of Park Ave. and 6th Street.
Travel Information:
Walking to AVA from the UAMA is about a 15-minute walk directly southbound on Park Ave.
Physical Address: 1014-18 E. 6th Street, Tucson, AZ 95719
Website: https://artmuseum.arizona.edu/collections/archives/plan-your-visit
Event Activities:
- Self-guided tours
- Interactive archival exhibitions
Parking Information:
- Paid parking available at the 6 th Street Garage
- Metered Parking on Fremont Ave.
- South of 6 th permit holders can park at lots 7167, 7103, and 7227
- Short-term free parking @ the Metro Wildcat lot
Special Instructions for Visitors:
- No food or drink around collection materials. A space to temporarily hold these
items will be provided. - All guests will be asked to wear nitrile gloves or wash their hands before handling archival materials. Gloves will be provided.
Contact:
Sara Swayden
saswayden@arizona.edu
(520) 621-1124
Biosphere 2
Explore one of the world's most unique research centers. Biosphere 2 is dedicated to understanding Earth’s ecosystems and how we can create a more resilient future for our planet. Our immersive tour takes you through diverse, contained biomes, including a tropical rainforest, a coastal ocean, and a fog desert.
Location:
32540 S. Biosphere Rd.
Oracle, AZ 85623
https://biosphere2.org/
Kid friendly?
Yes
Reservation required?
No reservations required. Tickets will be offered at a special reduced rate of $15 per person. Tickets for Biosphere 2 add-on experiences are available for $12 per person. Information on our add-on tours can be found on our website at www.biosphere2.org.
Audience:
All ages, no capacity limit
Contact:
Kendra Decker
kendradecker@arizona.edu
520-621-3127
Center for Creative Photography
Join us for a day of artmaking and community at the CCP! Explore the current exhibition, Making a Life in Photography: Rollie McKenna, and come away inspired to make your own work! Using your words, hands, and imagination, activities like “abnormal architecture” and “glue the haiku” are there to help investigate how you view both landscape and language. Don’t worry, when Museum Day comes to an end, the creativity continues with our SNAP! event. A Social Night of Art and Photography begins at 4 pm, where you can create your very own still life inspired by our guest speaker, Alanna Aritiam!
Kid friendly?
Yes — programs and exhibits welcome all ages, and there are educational activities suitable for youth.
Reservation required?
No
Audience: All ages; Unlimitied Capacitity
Hours: 10 am - 4 pm
Contact:
Denisse Brito
brito1@arizona.edu
520-621-7019
Coit Museum of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
The Coit Museum is home to one of the world’s leading collections of pharmaceutical artifacts including the Upjohn Pharmacy Collection from Disneyland. Enjoy hands-on activities for all ages in our beautiful courtyard. and guided tours of our interpretive gallery. Try our new discovery hunt, sit at a soda fountain counter in our old-time drugstore
Location:
Skaggs Building, 1703 E Mabel St., rm 260,
Tucson, AZ 85721 (external entrance on NW corner)
museum.pharmacy.arizona.edu
Kid friendly?
Yes
Reservation required?
No reservation required
Parking Suggestion:
The closest parking lot is lot 2012 located right next to the Health Sciences Innovation Building. Parking in lot 2012 is free on the weekends.
Participants are welcome to drop off attendees at the circle located along Drachman street; this area will provide access to both Coit Museum of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and the Health Sciences Innovation Building.
Both the Coit Museum of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and the Health Sciences Innovation Building are located just a short walking distance from the SunLink, which can be used to access the University of Arizona campus South of Speedway.
Contact:
Adrian Rose
CoitMuseum@pharmacy.arizona.edu
Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium
Visit Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium for up to 50% off the regular price on U of A Museum Day! Flandrau is the University of Arizona’s destination for adventures in space and science. Featuring hands-on science exhibits, immersive planetarium shows, and activities that reveal the marvels of the universe, you can discover the wonders of science, modern research, and the natural world.
Kid friendly?
Yes — programs and exhibits welcome all ages, and there are educational activities suitable for youth.
Reservation required?
No reservations required. Tickets will be offered at a special reduced rate of $7 for science exhibits or $14 for an all-inclusive planetarium show + science exhibit ticket. Tickets for EBT or WIC card holders are offered at a reduced rate of $4 for science exhibits or $8 for a planetarium show and science exhibit combo (must present EBT card and limit four guests per cardholder).
Audience: Those interested in science, astronomy, marine science,
U of A research and planetarium shows and presentations.
Contact: flandrau@arizona.edu or 520-621-4516
Health Sciences Innovation Building
Considered an architectural marvel, the Health Sciences Innovation Building features soaring windows that flood the space with natural light, while south-facing garage doors open to a welcoming patio that is perfect to enjoy a pleasant day. Known for it’s state of the art educational facilities, the HSIB is also home to El Mirador Project, a collection of world-renowned digital art featuring visionary artists Bill Viola, Ragnar Kjartansson, Jennifer Steinkamp, teamLab, and Jim Campbell.
In addition to art-viewing, UA Museum Day participants can enjoy the HSIB’s amenities including its expansive patio and tiered auditorium to cool off from their walk across campus while also taking part in family friendly art and health activities.
Location:
1670 E. Drachman St,
Tucson, AZ 85721
El Mirador Project at the Health Sciences Innovation Building
Kid friendly?
Yes, there will be art and health sciences activities for kids to engage with
Reservation required?
No. Please drop in
Audience:
Building can accommodate large number, fits 200-300 in Forum/patio area for seating using the tiered theater seats and many more walking through including through the third floor; public restrooms and drinking fountains available onsite
Parking Suggestion
The closest parking lot is lot 2012 located right next to the Health Sciences Innovation Building. Parking in lot 2012 is free on the weekends.
Participants are welcome to drop off attendees at the circle located along Drachman street; this area will provide access to both Coit Museum of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and the Health Sciences Innovation Building.
Both the Coit Museum of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and the Health Sciences Innovation Building are located just a short walking distance from the SunLink, which can be used to access the University of Arizona campus South of Speedway.
Contact:
Alex Dubois
duboisa@arizona.edu
520-621-2655
John E. GreivenKamp Museum of Optics
The Wyant College of Optical Sciences is proud to offer access to its collection of antique and historic telescopes, microscopes, lenses and cameras. These specimens represent work by the world’s most respected instrument makers from the 18th century to the present. The John E. Grievenkamp Museum of Optics is a series of display cases located throughout the eight-story Optics Buildings on the UA Campus. We house nearly 2000 optical devices, from cameras to telescopes and lenses to microscopes.
Location:
Wyant College of Optical Sciences,
University of Arizona, 1630 E. University Blvd.
Tucson, AZ 85721
https://wp.optics.arizona.edu/museum/
Kid friendly?
Yes
Reservation required?
No RSVP required
The Museum of Optics will be open in collaboration with a student-run event called Laser Fun Day. The Wyant College of Optical Sciences students set up between 20-30 optics demos to demonstrate and share optics with the public. The event and the museum are both free and will be open from 10:00AM-2:00PM.
Contact:
Daewook Kim, Associate Professor
dkim@optics.arizona.edu
520-626-9210
Museum Association of Arizona
Visit the Museum Association of Arizona table to learn more about our projects and programs that serve Arizona museums, including our upcoming Spring Conference in Fountain Hills AZ on April 27, 2026. MAA provides communication and information networks, and professional development opportunities for the more than 300 museums across the state. We also advocate on their behalf at the local, state, and national levels.
Location:
Tree Ring Lab,
Bryant Bannister Tree-Ring
1215 E. Lowell St
http://www.azmuseums.org/
Contact:
Berlin Loa
berlin@arizona.edu
Kid friendly?
Yes
Reservation required?
No reservation required
Audience:
Museum staff, volunteers, students, faculty, and members of the public who support museums.
Which hub do you land (can land in more than one hub): Science, Art and Humanities
Museum of Democracy
Discover the rich history of American democracy at the We The People! Electing the American President exhibit, now on display at the University of Arizona Student Union Bookstore, Lower Level. Brought to campus by the Museum of Democracy through a partnership with the Arizona Board of Regents, the exhibit features artifacts from the Wright Family Collection, the nation’s largest collection of campaign memorabilia. The exhibit spans from George Washington’s 1789 inauguration to the 2024 presidential election, and includes works from our local students! Interactive materials will be available for kids of all ages.
Location:
Student Union Bookstore, Lower Level
1303 E University Blvd
Tucson, AZ 85719
https://freedomcenter.arizona.edu/museum-of-democracy-exhibit/
Contact:
Lindsay Wagner - ldwagner@arizona.edu
Mari Clark (guided tours) - mariahclark@arizona.edu
Kid friendly?
Yes
Reservation required?
No reservation required
Audience:
Any size
Which hub do you land (can land in more than one hub): Humanities
Poetry Center
Rest and recharge at the Poetry Center Library! The Poetry Center houses one of the nation’s foremost poetry collections in an award-winning building. Curl up with a picture book in the Children’s Corner or explore the wild and wonderful world of contemporary poetry in our stacks. The Library will be open from 9-3. We’d love to see you.
Location:
1508 E Helen St, Tucson, AZ 85719
https://poetry.arizona.edu/
Contact:
Sarah Kortemeier, Library Director
ssk@arizona.edu
520-626-4298
Kid friendly?
Yes — programs and exhibits welcome all ages, and there are educational activities suitable for youth.
Reservation required?
No
Which hub do you land (can land in more than one hub): Humanities, Arts
Audience: all ages; inquire at the front desk if interested in a tour (up to 5 people)
Tree-Ring Lab
Step into the exciting world of dendrochronology at the Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research! Discover some of the oldest trees on Earth and uncover the science stories they hold in our dynamic Exhibit Hall. Take a guided peek into our cutting-edge laboratories, meet the researchers pushing tree-ring science forward, and be among the first to experience our newest exhibits: Remembered Light by artists Jacinda Russell and Brent Cole, and Prometheus by artist Caroline Landau and ecologist Dr. Madison Sankovitz. Bring the kids to dive into our interactive children’s area, packed with engaging, hands-on activities that make science come alive for all ages.
Location:
Bryant Bannister Tree-Ring
1215 E. Lowell St
https://ltrr.arizona.edu/
Contact:
Dr. Pamela Pelletier
pamela@arizona.edu
(520) 621-0984
Kid friendly?
Yes
Reservation required?
No reservation required
Which hub do you land (can land in more than one hub): Science and Art
University of Arizona Museum of Art (UAMA)
Visit the art museum (always free!) and enjoy free art-making and self-guided gallery activities from 12-4 p.m., plus explore the annual exhibition Our Stories: High School Artists showcasing incredible work by students across Pima County. Museum Day is also the final day to see the exceptional exhibition Bailey Doogan: Ways of Seeing. From 1-3 p.m. shop for animal art and vote for your favorite dog or cat at a pop-up sale with artists and friends from ArtWorks, an outreach program of the Sonoran Center for Excellence in Disabilities.
Location:
1031 North Olive Road, Tucson AZ, 85719
https://artmuseum.arizona.edu/
Contact:
Willa Ahlschwede
willa@arizona.edu
520-621-7567
Kid friendly?
Yes, some artwork on view includes nudity and mature themes.
Reservation required?
No reservation required
Which hub do you land (can land in more than one hub): Science, Humanities, Arts
Audience: All ages, Unlimited Capacity
Exhibitions and activities open to all, no size limit. Tour at 1:30 Pm limited to approximately 25 people, RSVP suggested.
Worlds of Words Center
“Literary Identities,” a new exhibit featuring the De Natura Libris project, invites people to examine themselves as readers. The exhibit of altered photographs about books and reading also includes picturebooks where reading is central to the book or characters’ identities and hands-on activities. In addition, original picturebook illustrations from the Worlds of Words archives will be on display in the Mary J. Wong Special Collections room to complement the exhibit and to showcase new acquisitions and illustrators who visited during the 2026 Tucson Festival of Books.
Worlds of Words Center
Location:
UArizona College of Education
1430 E Second St, Rm 453
https://wowlit.org/
Contact:
Rebecca Ballenger
wow@arizona.edu
(520) 621- 9340
Kid friendly?
Yes, it's the friendliest — programs and exhibits welcome all ages, and there are educational activities suitable for youth.
Reservation required?
No
Which hub do you land (can land in more than one hub): Humanities, Arts
Audience: All ages; 1-50 Capacity