©Shiela Lopez 2019
The many wonderful art pieces IMAS located in McAllen has to offer for people to enjoy while visiting the museum.

International Museum of Arts and Science (IMAS) most people do not know about this great Museum that is the Rio Grande Valley. The young generation has shown no interest for Art & Science so their young minds today can’t appreciation for the culture and science. The people of the valley don’t realize that they have an art piece in reach of them. The International Museum of Art & Science has 2,000 natural historical arts along with 4,500 folk art and textile objects. They also have some of Mexico earliest works at around the 16^th century to the present time. These people keeping IMAS going has a personal mission and that is to “promote a deeper appreciation of the arts and sciences through its exhibitions, cultural events, and educational programs; and to preserve, expand, and display its permanent art and science collections,” (IMAS). This great art piece its self didn’t happen over time it has history in the RGV. IMAS started as an idea by the McAllen Junior League to bring some culture and heritage to the city of McAllen for its citizens. This was not only to remind the people of their cultural background but to help them learn things they didn’t know before historical and scientific. The museum was had multiple reopens throughout its years the first public Grande was opening was October 26, 1969. However, around 6 years later they were relocated to 1900 Nolana due to a new building that was constructed and purchased for them on July 4, 1976. Over time the building has gone through more construction to increase expansion to reach the citizens of all ages. These expansions includes “accommodate 3 classrooms, an artist studio, cafe, gift shop, theater, and a hands-on exhibition space called the Children’s Discovery Pavilion,”(IMAS). The expansion has made this Museum that was brought into light October 26, 1969 which was 5,000 square feet, now resides in McAllen with 500,000 square feet to teach and educate any minds that are willing to listen and learn at a low cost. This museum has many opportunities for young adults to intern or volunteer to help make a difference in their community. This Museum however in present time has actually been catching the attentions of those parents who want to give their child an experience of learning while having fun this summer. They also offer a membership for families that want to give their children an experience that not most of their fellow friends can’t experience for example who can say they can have a birthday party there? With everything this museum has offers who wouldn’t want to take their family to spend their day a place. Where you’re learning without knowing it and making memories with loved ones.

IMAS. “About Us.” IMAS International Museum of Art & Science, theimasonline.org/welcome/about/.