Our threshold 360 tour takes you on a virtual tour of the idea Museum so you can plan your visit in advance. The entrance, ArtVille, idea Lab, The Hub, Whiteman Family Exhibition Gallery, Atrium, sensory and accessible spaces, and more are all available to view on this virtual tour.
Accessible Entrances
The museum’s front entrance has automated doors activated by an actuator (ADA Door Button). All art and activity spaces in idea Museum are on the first floor.
Parking
Accessible parking spaces are available in the idea Museum parking lot for vehicles displaying disability parking permits or license plates. Additional accessible parking spaces are located along North Robson St on the West side of the idea Museum. These spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Courtesy Wheelchairs and Canes
A courtesy wheelchair is available for our guests while they are at idea Museum. The wheelchair is available at the front desk and subject to availability. Please note that staff and volunteers are not able to assist guests in transferring or to provide personal attendant services.
A courtesy cane is available to check out at the front desk.
Lap Desks
Complimentary lap desks are available to check out at the front desk.
idea museum staff have gone through the rigorous process of autism certification training by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). This certification ensures that our staff are equipped with the knowledge and skills to provide an inclusive, supportive, and accommodating environment for visitors with autism and other sensory sensitivities.
Sensory Support Backpacks
Sensory support backpacks can be checked out at our front desk. Backpacks include fidget toys, weighted calming stuffed animals, visual timers and more.
Noise-Reducing Headphones
For those with noise sensitivities, noise-reducing headphones can be checked out at our front desk and can be found at different locations around the museum for guests to use.
Light Sensitivity Glasses
For those with light sensitivities, TheraSpec glasses, bluelight glasses that relieve light sensitivity and glare can be checked out at the front desk.
Quiet Spaces
The museum offers two designated “quiet spaces” where visitors can sit and relax away from the bright lights and sounds of other visitors. In ArtVille, the Infant Care and Low Sensory Space is a private space where families can sit away from other visitors, feed infants or change diapers. The outdoor Atrium is also a place to relax and enjoy.
idea Museum proudly participates in the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program, since not all disabilities are obvious. Museum guests and members may ask for a lanyard or bracelet to let staff know they may need some extra help or time during their visit.
idea Museum complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) laws pertaining to service animals. We welcome guests with disabilities who wish to bring their service animals into the museum, though pets that are not trained to be service animals are not allowed inside.
Service animals, as defined under federal ADA law, are welcome inside idea Museum, but must be leashed, harnessed, or tethered, and under control by the person at all times.
A guest whose service animal poses a disturbance or threat to the safety of other guests and employees may be asked to escort the animal off the premises.
Definition of a service animal:
As defined by the ADA, the term “service animal” means a dog or miniature horse* that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities.
Service animals are working animals, not pets. Emotional support, therapy, comfort or animals that provide comfort just by being with a person are NOT considered service animals because they have not been trained to perform a specific job or task. Therefore, they do not qualify as service animals under the ADA and will not be admitted to idea Museum. *Due to weight, size and safety requirement necessary for the safe operations of the facility, some areas at idea Museum are inaccessible for a miniature horse.
Restrooms are located in the lobby, ArtVille and The HUB. With an ADA restroom in the lobby and a Family/Companion Care restroom in ArtVille. Museum bathrooms have manual flush toilets, on/off sinks and electric towel dispensers.
If a caregiver or child is not feeling well enough to attend work, school or daycare, they are too ill to visit the museum. We respectfully ask you to stay home.
We ask all guests who are experiencing symptoms of illness – such as fever, cough, nausea or shortness of breath – to postpone their visit.
We encourage good hygiene for all our visitors, including washing hands before and after playing at the museum.
Although face coverings are optional at City of Mesa facilities, we encourage visitors to continue to exercise precautions, including getting vaccinated, wearing masks if unvaccinated and staying at home when not feeling well.
Note: The City of Mesa continues to monitor pending litigation and recent executive orders involving the ability of municipalities to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Governor Doug Ducey’s Executive Order 2021-09 precludes municipalities from requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination status to enter any building, including Mesa-owned and operated venues such as the idea Museum. We are actively monitoring the course of the pandemic in Arizona as we strive to balance public safety and the services we provide to residents, businesses, employees and visitors
Staff rotate in clean toys and materials daily, and both staff and volunteers tidy up activities and wipe down common spaces and toys several times a day. Additionally, a professional cleaning crew comes out daily when we are closed for more thorough cleanings – including sanitizing bathrooms and drinking fountains.
Deep cleaning and larger exhibition maintenance projects take place when the museum is closed on Mondays.
To help mitigate the spread of germs, the museum has added hand sanitizer stations throughout the galleries. Additionally, we’ve installed Plasma Air ionization systems at the museum and signage to encourage frequent hand washing and proper cough/sneeze containment.
We also remind staff and museum volunteers to play their part with good hygiene. Staff and volunteers are expected to wash hands regularly and must stay home when they are ill.
If you notice a dirty toy or untidy space, please bring it to our staff’s attention as soon as possible. We’ve also added “Yuck Buckets” throughout the museum to place used toys/materials.
Best practices for health and wellness:
