A New Year's Message to the Community We Serve:
Thank you for your support and encouragement this momentous year!
In 2022 alone, we had nearly 200,000 guest visits at Longway Planetarium, the former Sloan Museum-Courtland, and the new Sloan Museum of Discovery! Nearly 25,000 visits were made to Hot Wheels: Race to Win!, the last traveling exhibit at the temporary Sloan Museum space at Courtland Center before that location closed in May. Then, after nearly four years of planning, designing and building, we finally opened the totally re-imagined, world-class 107,000 square foot Sloan Museum of Discovery in July. During grand opening weekend alone, we welcomed over 4500 guests! The Exhibits and Facilities teams can be credited with completing this daunting task of installing new exhibits in four uniquely different hands-on galleries. Our first traveling exhibit and the fifth gallery space will open in July 2023. Stay tuned for announcements about this exciting exhibit.
At Longway Planetarium, guests enjoyed two new full-dome shows and two brand new live astronomy programs, plus the ever-popular classics like Dark Side: The Light Show and Queen: From Mercury with Love. Planetarium Manager Patrick Ross has more great shows lined up for 2023, including Secrets of the Universe, premiering on the dome January 18, 2023, using stunning visuals and technology.
The undeterred and tireless Education team taught approximately 40 classes per week in STEM and social studies throughout libraries, schools, inside the museum, and at Longway Planetarium. Education also provided stimulating Cub Scout and Girl Scout badge programs and engaging school field trips.
The creative and hard working Event staff held Wizard's Teas, Galentine's Day, Romance Under the Stars, After Hours 21+ Nights, and many more community events. They also helped organize and decorate for many wedding ceremonies, birthday parties, and private receptions. We are humbled and grateful for your patronage and support during a transitional time at Sloan, designed and built based on input from and by the community. If you haven't visited yet, please do. This $30 million museum is free to Genesee County residents, thanks to voters passing the arts millage, and still very affordable for out-of-county residents. Please enjoy a healthy and happy 2023! We look forward to seeing you in the coming year!
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