A New Chapter Begins: The Museum Transitions Toward The Brown

On Sunday, March 29, the Museum of Arts & Sciences officially closed its buildings to daily public admission—marking the end of one era and the beginning of an exciting new chapter as the future home of The Cici & Hyatt Brown Museum of Art, Science & History, also known as The Brown.

In the final days before closure, the Museum welcomed an incredible outpouring of community support. Families, members, and longtime visitors returned to walk the galleries one more time, revisit favorite exhibits, and reflect on memories built over generations.

That final week was a powerful reminder of the Museum’s lasting place in the cultural life of our region - and of the importance of what comes next.

“This moment is both deeply meaningful and incredibly energizing,” said CEO Tabitha Schmidt. “We are closing our buildings to the public, but we are not stepping away from our mission. In fact, this is what allows us to move forward in a way that honors our past while building something extraordinary for the future.”

Why the Museum Buildings Closed

This transition allows the Museum to begin a major collections stewardship project, a foundational step in preparing for the next phase of development.

Over the coming months, the Curatorial team will complete a comprehensive inventory of more than 30,000 objects, including cataloging, photography, detailed condition reporting, and custom packing and crating for safe relocation.

While much of this work happens behind the scenes, it is essential to preserving the collection and ensuring it is ready to be experienced in new and meaningful ways when the Museum reopens.

The Vision for The Brown

The closure of the current buildings is part of a broader campus transformation designed to reimagine the visitor experience.

Plans include a new building along Nova Road that will connect to the current Cici & Hyatt Brown Museum of Art, creating a more cohesive and expanded destination for art, science, and history. The project will also strengthen access to Tuscawilla Preserve, deepening the connection between the Museum campus and the surrounding natural environment.

As the institution evolves into The Brown, the legacy of the Museum of Arts & Sciences remains central to its story. This new identity reflects both the Museum’s growth and the transformational investment helping shape its future.

Please note these are conceptual images for visualization and final designs may differ. 

Still Active in the Community

While the campus is closed for daily visitation, the Museum’s work continues throughout the community.

Through new partnerships with organizations including Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the Ocean Center, and the Daytona Beach Shores Community Center, the Museum will bring programs directly to audiences across the region.

The first program in this next phase takes place April 21 at the Daytona Beach Shores Community Center, featuring Senior Curator of History Zach Zacharias, who will explore the artistry, intrigue, and unexpected stories behind Audubon art.

This is only the beginning of a new chapter of Museum in Motion programming, designed to meet audiences where they are while continuing to deliver the learning experiences they know and love.

Planetarium Programs Continue

The Lohman Planetarium also remains active during the transition, with select ticketed events continuing throughout the year.

While daily walk-in shows are paused, these special programs will continue to offer immersive and inspiring experiences for visitors of all ages.

Staying Connected Through Membership

Membership remains one of the best ways to stay connected during this transformation.

New offerings, including a quarterly Member Meet-Up series, will provide supporters with unique behind-the-scenes experiences, updates, and opportunities to stay closely engaged with the Museum’s progress.

Looking Ahead

This is not a pause — it is a pivot toward something extraordinary.

As construction and planning continue, updates on the campus transformation will be shared at moasfuture.org, while community programs and Planetarium events will continue to be featured at thebrownmuseum.org.

We invite our community to stay connected and be part of this journey as we build a destination that will serve generations to come.