Texas Border Business
McAllen, TX – The Museum’s Board of Trustees and staff members are excited to announce Collage 2017, celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the International Museum of Art & Science (IMAS). This year’s black-tie celebration will take place at IMAS on Saturday, September 16th from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. This year especially, Collage is about celebration. We celebrate the museum, the key organizations that helped start the museum, the generous individuals who have continually assisted in the growth of our museum, the community within which we have grown, and we celebrate the city which has assisted us in reaching our current position.
Mark your calendars and reserve your tickets to join us as we honor the generosity of individuals, organizations and businesses that have supported IMAS over the past 50 years. Collage, one of the longest running fundraisers in our area, raises critical funds for continuing and expanding museum programs, and is one of the most eagerly anticipated social events of the year. The funds raised through Collage allow the museum the opportunity to continue creating life enhancing art and science exhibitions, educational programs and cultural events towards inspiring our visitors to “Think. Discover. Experience. & Create!”
The International Museum of Art & Science, also known as the McAllen International Museum, was chartered under the laws of the state of Texas on June 2, 1967 through the efforts of the Women’s Junior Service League and the McAllen City Commission to increase the quality of life for the citizens of the Rio Grande Valley and to provide cultural arts activities that are meaningful, educational, and available to the public. The museum was dedicated and formally opened to the public on October 26, 1969. During that time, the museum’s acquisitions consisted of Mexican folk art, contemporary art, historical documents as well as a collection of scientific specimens of rocks, minerals, shells and coral which were all made possible thanks to the generosity of local collectors.
In 1974, when the McAllen citizens voted to construct a new 21,000 sq. ft. building at its present location on Nolana Ave. through a city bond, the Board of Trustees raised $400,000 for new exhibits, furnishings and landscaping. In 1982, the Board of Trustees expanded the museum’s mission to include the arts and science. In 2001, an additional building was constructed and the museum’s name changed to the International Museum of Art & Science (IMAS).
Today, IMAS provides 50,000 sq. ft. of exhibition space, an outside sculpture garden and a children’s play area called Rio Scape which was constructed by generous members of the community. IMAS is fully accredited by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), a Smithsonian Affiliate organization as well as a member of the Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC). IMAS, the largest art and science museum in South Texas, welcomes over 70,000 visitors a year. IMAS takes pride in providing our community fine art and science exhibitions of the highest caliber possible, in addition to providing exceptionally engaging educational programs since its establishment on June 2, 1967. A must-see exhibition at IMAS is the Science on a Sphere, located inside the IMAS Theatre. There are only 145 Science on a Sphere theaters throughout the world.
The International Museum of Art & Science Board of Trustees humbly asks you to not only attend this year’s 50th Anniversary Collage celebration, but to also consider sponsoring this important fundraising event. We have great things happening at the museum and your kindness, support and generosity will ensure that they continue. We seek your support to further our mission to provide world-class art and science exhibitions, science, technology, engineering, art and math (S.T.E.A.M.) programming, and cultural events to the Rio Grande Valley. If you are interested in attending or supporting the museum as a Collage sponsor, please visit our website at www.theimasonline.org or call (956) 681-2800 for more information. We appreciate your generosity and look forward to welcoming you to Collage 2017, celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the International Museum of Art & Science.
