- March 30, 2026
The Museum of Arts and Sciences closed its doors at 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 29, signaling the beginning of a new era as the museum works to transform into the The Cici & Hyatt Brown Museum of Art, Science & History, also to be known as The Brown.
According to a press release, the museum saw an "outpouring of community support, with visitors returning to walk the galleries, revisit favorite exhibits, and share memories built over generations" in the final days leading up to the closure.
“This moment is both deeply meaningful and incredibly energizing,” said Tabitha Schmidt, CEO of the museum. “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.”
The closure will allow the museum to begin a collections project — a comprehensive inventory of more than 30,000 objects in its care, to be completed over the coming months by the museum's curatorial team. This includes cataloging, photographing, completing detailed condition reports, packing and custom crating each piece.
“This is the kind of work that happens behind the scenes but is foundational to everything a museum does,” Schmidt said. “It ensures that our collections are not only protected, but also better understood, more accessible, and ready to be experienced in new and meaningful ways when we reopen.”
The transformation project includes the construction of a new building along Nova Road, which will connect to the existing Cici & Hyatt Brown Museum of Art. The project will also incorporate access to Tuscawilla Preserve.
While the museum's buildings are closed to daily public admission, programming will continue through partnerships with organizations including Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the Ocean Center, and the Daytona Beach Shores Community Center.
The first of these programs will take place on April 21 at the Daytona Beach Shores Community Center, featuring Senior Curator of History Zach Zacharias, who will present a look at Audubon art by exploring the artistry, intrigue, and unexpected stories behind one of the most iconic names in American natural history.
“This is just the beginning,” Schmidt said. “We are taking the museum into the community in new ways, meeting people where they are, and continuing to deliver the experiences and learning opportunities they expect from us.”
The Lohman Planetarium will remain active, offering select ticketed events. The museum is also introducing a monthly Member Meet-up series to bring supporters of the museum together for behind-the-scenes experiences and updates.
“This is not a pause. It’s a pivot,” Schmidt said. “We are building something that will serve this community for generations to come. And we invite everyone to be part of that journey.”
For more information on the construction project, visit moasfuture.org. For community programs and Planetarium events, visit thebrownmuseum.org.
