Museum Events

NOW OPEN TUE - SUN THROUGH APR 6, 2025 / Extended for Popular Demand!
Check specific date for available launch times

Step into the extraordinary world of Space Explorers: The Infinite, inspired by NASA missions. Join an awe-inspiring, immersive journey that takes you beyond Earth and into the depths of space. Using cutting-edge virtual reality, this breathtaking experience lets you explore a life-sized replica of the International Space Station, witness stunning real footage captured by astronauts, and feel the vastness of space like never before. With 200 hours of video filmed in orbit, no two visits are the same—what will you discover?

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Click here for a list of all available dates

Created by Felix & Paul Studios and PHI Studio

Sponsored by     

SAT, FEB 22, 2025 / 10 AM - 1 PM (Drop in event)

Embark on a cosmic adventure at our Cosmic Celebration Day on FEB 22 from 10 AM – 1 PM!  Dive into the wonders of space, flight, and beyond with interactive activities, demonstrations, and engaging activities hosted by community partners Delta College Planetarium, Delta Dome Observatory, and Barstow Airport. Highlights of this day include air rocket launching, flight simulators, inflated planetarium shows, and hands-on activities that will spark curiosity in space enthusiasts of all ages. Recommended for ages 8 and up.

Special Cosmic Conversation at 10:30 AM! Meet Jason Achilles, the musician-turned-extraterrestrial audio engineer who helped capture the first sounds of Mars, and Dr. Chris Boshuizen, commercial astronaut and entrepreneur, who flew to space with William Shatner on Blue Origin’s second human flight. They’ll share their incredible journeys and inspire you to reach for the stars!

Love space? Consider Space Explorers: The Infinite while you are with us for Family Discovery Day! Learn more here. (separate tickets required for The Infinite and Cosmic Celebration on February 22)

SAT, MAR 8, 2025 / 11 AM (Brunch services begins at 10 AM)

James T. and Elsa U. Pardee: Community Builders, Architectural Patrons, and Philanthropists with Tawny Ryan Nelb

Brunch history is back with Midland County Historical Society! Jim and Elsa Pardee, both originally from Cleveland, were noted Midland community builders in the early twentieth century. Jim was an early investor in the Dow Process Company and Midland Chemical Companies and one of the co-founders of The Dow Chemical Company. The couple were major donors to many community efforts including the original hospital construction. After Jim became Chairman of the Board of The Dow Chemical Company, they built a new home on Main Street designed by Alden B. Dow which became one of his most iconic structures. The home, also explored during the lecture, later became the Headquarters of several foundations, and Pardee’s financial estate created three area foundations that have collectively funded over $475,000,000 in grants for our community and the wider area. The lecture is full of historical images about the Pardee and Gerstacker families and the home designed by Alden B. Dow.

Brunch service is sold separately and must be preordered. Pre-order your brunch food now! Pre-orders available until March 2 at 11 PM. Learn more and order here.

SAT & SUN / MAY 31 & JUN 1 / 10 AM - 5 PM
Located in Downtown Midland, Free To Attend!

Summer Art Fair is an exciting outdoor celebration of fine arts and crafts—held rain or shine in Downtown Midland! The event attracts thousands of art lovers each year, with artists' booths, delicious food, and live music from local bands, creating the perfect environment for the community to engage with art.

CALL TO ARTISTS! Please see the ZAPP application for more details and information on important dates and deadlines, the jury process, fees and registration. Apply on Zapp to be a vendor by MAR 21 to join!

midlandcenter.org and zapplication.org are the only places to register to be a vendor for the 2025 Summer Art Fair. Remember, a Midland Center staff member will never offer a vendor spot over social media.

Emerging Artist Scholarship Opportunity / The Linda Basque Emerging Artist Scholarship continues to support up-and-coming talent. This year, six emerging artists will be featured in the show, and one will receive the Best Emerging Artist prize of $500. If you are an emerging artist, we encourage you to apply for this special opportunity. For more details on how to apply for the Emerging Artist Scholarship, please contact Beth, our Fine Arts Programming Supervisor, at nova@midlandcenter.org.

The 2025 Summer Art Fair is sponsored by

CALL TO NEW & EMERGING ARTISTS / APPLY BY FEB 24!

The Center is excited to provide new and emerging artists with an opportunity to showcase and exhibit their artwork. The art world is a competitive journey with twists and turns that take incredible courage to navigate. Whether you are just starting your career or have been creating for a while, this opportunity to exhibit is for you! This will be a juried exhibition with a cash prize for first, second, and third.

TIMELINE for Exhibition:

Exhibition Dates:                         MAR 21 - MAY 18, 2025
Reception Date:                           FRI, MAR 28, 2025 from 5:30 – 7 PM
Drop Off Artwork:                        MAR 10 & 11, 2025 / 4 - 6 PM
Pick Up Artwork:                          MAY 19 & 20, 2025 / 11 AM - 2 PM
Submission Deadline:               MON, FEB 24, 2025
Acceptance/Decline Notification:    By FRI, FEB 28, 2025 (Sent via email)