International Museum of Art & Science (IMAS) dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of their visitors

The International Museum of Art & Science (IMAS) is located in McAllen Texas. The museum is a place that promotes a deep appreciation of the arts and science though educational programs, exhibits and permanent art and science collections. They aim to enhance the quality of live of its members and the community through art and science enlightenment.

The purpose of the museum is to engage in all activities of any kind and nature that are necessary, useful or appropriate to further public education in the arts and sciences. To provide exhibits and activities in the arts and sciences, become a living museum through communication and education activities. Be a teaching museum offering tours and experiences for school groups. To simulate all visitors and promote quality of life through educational and self-enrichment programs.

The museum was developed by the efforts of the McAllen Junior League to provide activities that will increase the quality of life of the citizen's of the Rio Grande Valley. Initially funding of the museum came from donations by local business, civic organizations and individuals. The museum opened on October 26, 1969. A new building was completed in 2001 and the museum moved to its current location at 1900 Nolan St, McAllen.

There are over 50,000 square feet of exhibition area at the museum. There are also three classrooms, an art studio, gift shop, theater, caf, and the hands-on Children's Discovery Pavilion. The museum offers educational programs with museum tours tailored to address the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) standards. The museum offers cultural arts, science events and a rotating schedule of exhibitions from local, national and international artists.

Permanent exhibitions at the museum include The Geological Collection: A substantial Mexican Folk Art Collection. Collections of European Paintings from the 16th to the 19th Century and the Clark Collection of Constructivist works.

The museum depends upon donations, grants, sponsorships, memberships and fundraisers to continue educating visitors and improving their quality of life. The museum is part of the Smithsonian's Affiliation Program that allows the museum to borrow national treasures from the Smithsonian

Other activities on offer at the museum include the art studio where children are able to create and take their own pieces of art work. Family Art Quest Activity is where the whole family is involved in a detective hunt for clues to answer question about the replicas from the Ancient Egypt: The quest for eternal life exhibit.

Outreach programs are available through the museum with hands on programs that are conducted by a museum educator to address specific object of TEKS. These programs include Astronomy fro the ground up, Cultural Diversity through the Arts, Light Decoders, Lone Star Dinosaurs and Mission to SRAM. These programs are presented through `learning trunks'.

The museum has a Sculpture Garden which includes Dactyl, the prehistoric inspired, bright red steel sculpture located on the front lawn of IMAS.

The Discovery Pavilion for children has water exhibitions where they can learn about the most natural precious resource. The construction zone is where children learn about structure and design in a modular play area. Le Puppet Theatre is full of people and animal puppets that stimulate the imagination and encourage personal expression. The Music Wheel is sponsored by Day Surgery at Renaissance and is and interactive wall sculpture that reacts with the touch of a hand. This allows children and adults, to explore the symphony of sound.