MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation
 | |
.jpg) MOXI's entrance as seen from State Street. | |
| Established | February 25, 2017 |
|---|---|
| Location | 125 State Street, Santa Barbara, California |
| Coordinates | 34°24′48″N 119°41′30″W / 34.413429°N 119.691727°W |
| Type | |
| Visitors | 167,361 (2024)[1] |
| President & CEO | Robin Gose Ed.D |
| Architect | Barry Berkus[2] |
| Website | moxi |
MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation is a non-profit science and children's museum in Santa Barbara, California. A 501(c)(3) non-profit, the museum opened on February 25th, 2017.[3]
The 17,000 square feet (1,600 m2) of exhibits are primarily geared towards children with a particular emphasis placed on STEAM education.[4] As of 2024 MOXI saw just over 167,000 visitors annually and in June 2024 celebrated its 1-millionth visitor.[5]
The Wolf in the museum's name comes from Dick Wolf who donated multiple millions of dollars to the museum and who's ex-wife Noelle sat on the board for over a decade.[6][2]
The museum is located between the historic Santa Barbara Train Station and Santa Barbara's Hotel Indigo.[2][6]
History
The 25,000-square-foot (2,300 m2) building sits on land which was leased from the city at $1 a year.[7] The exterior of the museum was designed by the late Santa Barbara architect Barry Berkus.[2]
The museum broke ground in October of 2014 at a ceremony attended by then Santa Barbara mayor Helene Schneider and emceed by Andrew Firestone.[8]
As part of their $1 a year lease with the city, MOXI was tasked with removing all possible barriers to exploring the sciences. One such example is that graphics are bilingual, written in both Spanish and English.[2]
Exhibits
The diverse exhibits at MOXI are focused on all aspects of STEAM education. The museum features a theater which was built by researchers at UC Santa Barbara's AlloSphere.[4]
One exhibits features a foley sound design studio where visitors are able to record their own sound effects to different hollywood films including the 1990 film Edward Scissorhands.[9] In another exhibit, participants can build their own model racecar before sending it down a test track.[2]
In October 2025, MOXI unveiled two new exhibits geared particularly towards their younger visitors. Crawlers' Corner and Quiet Cave are a space designed for the youngest learners as well as a safe space for "those who need a reset."[10]
Associations
MOXI is a member of the Association of Science and Technology Centers.[11]
References
- ^ "2024 Annual Report". Moxi.org. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f Kriegman, Mitchell (16 February 2017). "Make Way for MOXI". The Santa Barbara Independent. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
- ^ Holland, Brooke (24 February 2017). "MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation Set to Open on Saturday in Santa Barbara". Noozhawk. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
- ^ a b Holland, Brooke (29 November 2016). "MOXI: Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation on Track to Open Early 2017". Noozhawk. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
- ^ Boyd, Richelle (21 June 2024). "MOXI Celebrates Millionth Visitor". The Santa Barbara Independent. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
- ^ a b Forgione, Mary (1 March 2017). "Santa Barbara's new science museum aims to spark your curiosity". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
- ^ Magnoli, Giana (11 March 2016). "Santa Barbara's MOXI Museum Gives Supporters a Look Inside". Noozhawk. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
- ^ Staff, Indy (16 October 2014). "MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration and Innovation, Breaks Ground". The Santa Barbara Independent. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
- ^ "MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation". Visit Santa Barbara. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
- ^ Eckert, Emma (16 May 2025). "MOXI to Open Two New Exhibits Just in Time for Summer". The Santa Barbara Independent. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
- ^ "ASTC Travel Passport Program Participants" (PDF). astc.org. Association of Science and Technology Centers. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
