University of Arizona Insect Collection

The UA Insect Collection is the cornerstone of entomological research and insect diagnostics for the state of Arizona. The UAIC houses approximately 2.0 million specimens representing over 30,000 species, making it the most comprehensive in the world for the Sonoran Desert Region. The tour will present history, curation, and use of the collection, including examples of museum specimens and facility operations. Deadline for tour registration is 5:00pm Friday, March 22.

Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium

Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium 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, Flandrau inspires people of all ages to discover the wonders of science.

The Archive of Visual Arts (AVA) 

The Archive of Visual Arts (AVA) preserves and provides access to the original papers of artists, documenting the motivations that inspire individual artists to do their best work. University of Arizona Museum of Art & AVA Archivist, Sara Swayden, will be guiding visitors through the AVA during the Open House. Visitors will be able to handle archival materials safely and become more familiar with the collections.

Poetry Center

Visit the Poetry Center Library during our opening hours from 9 AM-3 PM to explore one of the largest collections of poetry in North America. The Library features an open-stack, browsable collection of poetry books, chapbooks, and broadsides, as well as a Kids’ Corner with picture books and a zine-making station. Enjoy our award-winning, light-filled space and pick up a calendar to stay up to date on our upcoming public events, which include community classes, poetry readings, and programming for children.

Worlds of Words Center

Journey with the Worlds of Words Center to “The Colourful World Beyond the Seven Hills,” an exhibit on loan from the International Youth Library in Munich, Germany featuring seven decades of illustrations of Grimm Brothers’ household tales from Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Supplemented with global stories inspired by the original Grimm tales and hands-on activities for children of all ages.

Arizona State Museum

Join us to celebrate the publication of “Woven from the Center: Native Basketry in the Southwest,” by Associate Curator Diane Dittemore (UA Press, 2023). Bring your copy for the author to sign or buy one onsite for $75. >Basket weavers from around the region, many highlighted in the book, will be showing and selling their wares. See the exhibit, “Woven Through Time: American Treasures of Native Basketry and Fiber Art.”

University of Arizona Museum of Art (UAMA)

Enjoy free admission, snacks and fun activities while checking out the museum’s latest exhibitions! Event highlights include Art Sprouts, an art-making program for kids ages 3-5 and their families, Bilingual story time, and a Cyanotype print workshop with artist Annie Lopez.

John E. Greivenkamp Museum of Optics

Come explore the fascinating world of optics and optical sciences at the 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, representing work by the world’s most respected instrument makers from the 18th century to the present, showcase the manipulation of light and images through the ages.

Tree-Ring Lab

Come explore the fascinating world of dendrochronology at the Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research. Visit the oldest trees in the world and get the science stories behind them in our Exhibit Hall. Come take a short tour of the cutting-edge laboratories and meet the researchers. Special lecture by Dr. Margaret Evans at 1:00pm. Bring the kids to explore the children’s area and explore our hands-on activities.