Located at 150 Pepper Place in downtown Mesa, Arizona, the i.d.e.a. Museum is a unique fine arts center designed to foster creativity and offer an engaging alternative to screen time. Originally established in 1980 as the Arizona Museum for Youth—the only children's museum in the United States focusing on fine art—the facility officially rebranded in 2014 to represent "imagination, design, experience, art." Housed inside a refurbished 1950s grocery store with over 20,000 square feet of public space, the museum is run by the City of Mesa and caters to all age groups, though it is primarily designed for younger visitors.
During your visit, you can explore rotating thematic displays in the Whiteman Family Exhibit Gallery, which showcases new artworks several times a year. Children aged four and under can explore ArtVille, a permanent town-themed play space. Meanwhile, visitors of all ages can head to The HUB gallery to construct contraptions with the Rigamajig, create art on a dry-erase wall, or build using recyclable materials.
Three classrooms also host year-round fine arts workshops, family programs, and school tours.
What to see at i.d.e.a. Museum
- Interactive hands-on creation in The HUB gallery using dry-erase walls, recyclables, and Rigamajig
- ArtVille, a dedicated town-themed permanent exhibit designed specifically for kids aged 0 to 4
- Rotating fine art displays changing several times a year inside the Whiteman Family Exhibit Gallery
- Year-round fine arts workshops, summer camps, and drop-in Saturday programs for ages 6 months to 12 years
- Refurbished 1950s grocery store building featuring over 20,000 square feet of public space
Visiting tips
If you are traveling with toddlers or children under five, make sure to visit ArtVille for a permanent, small-town activity area built just for ages 0–4.
How long: 2-3 hours · Best time: Saturdays
How to get there & what’s nearby
i.d.e.a. Museum is easy to reach on Mesa’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Center for Meteorite Studies and Mesa Grande. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Mesa travel guide.
See the full Mesa travel guide for where to stay, the best time to visit and the top things to do.