Staff Report
While MOXI (The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation) thinks all its supporters and members are rock stars for standing by the museum during its extended closure, there’s one bona fide star who has stepped up to show her support for STEAM education.
Homegrown pop sensation and new mom Katy Perry has donated an opportunity for one lucky family to privately party with her via Zoom as the grand prize in MOXI’s Rock Star Raffle.
MOXI hopes this exclusive prize and chance to meet the chart-topping Perry one-on-one will help replace funds typically raised by its gala benefit traditionally held in October.
Katy Perry
Photo contributed
The funds are particularly crucial this year, as MOXI has been closed for more than six months, including the busy spring break and summer months. This has meant the loss of all revenue from paid admissions, program and camp registrations, and facility rentals which collectively make up nearly 60% of MOXI’s annual budget.
“Access to unique and engaging ways to learn about science and the arts are so important, especially for kids,” Perry said. “Education is power, and MOXI provides that along with tons of fun.
“I can’t wait to bring my daughter to MOXI, and I want more than anything for this incredible museum to weather the pandemic and be here for generations to come.”
Perry’s Firework Foundation has been a supporter of MOXI from the start, providing funding for equipment in the museum’s Innovation Workshop makerspace, helping to build the museum during its capital campaign, as well as the inspiration and materials for digital creativity programming hosted at the museum.
The FireWorkShop programs have included afterschool classes and summer camps during which kids in grades 3-6 were introduced to digital audio and video production processes and practices using a variety of technologies and techniques. Students produced their own original music videos and short films with their new skills.
MOXI is preparing to reopen its doors in early November. During the closure, museum staff have offered both free and paid programming including new Innovation Workshop Maker Kits, at-home events and engineering design challenges, and tinkering activities for all ages.
MOXI is also working on ways to best support local teachers with online curriculum, virtual takeovers and other activities as onsite field trips will be suspended for the remainder of the school year.
“MOXI is so grateful to have Katy on our side advocating for the importance of STEAM education by offering this fabulous prize opportunity to motivate broad support from the community,” said Robin Gose, president/CEO of MOXI.
Rock Star Raffle tickets are $100 each and can be purchased by calling 805-770-5021 or visiting moxi.org/katy to fill out an interest form. Tickets must be purchased by 11:59 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7.
Everyone who buys a ticket will be invited to join a family-friendly, virtual dance party celebration of all things MOXI, creativity and fun on Thursday, Dec. 10, during which the winner of the Katy Perry virtual party will be announced.
Proceeds from raffle ticket sales all directly support the museum’s mission to ignite learning through interactive experiences in science and creativity, and help ensure MOXI will continue to be a viable resource for the greater Santa Barbara region. Donations of any size are also welcome at moxi.org/donate.
MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation, at 125 State St., is LEED-certified Gold and serves guests of all ages through exhibits and education programs. MOXI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization supported by its daily guests, members, facility rentals and donations from individuals, foundations and corporate partners.
For more information, visit moxi.org.
