ANIMATION ACADEMY: From Pencils to Pixels®
May 31 – AUGUST 31, 2025
Step into your favorite Saturday-morning cartoons and explore the remarkable world of animation. Animation Academy is a captivating and immersive traveling exhibition that invites visitors of all ages to leap into the fascinating realm of the cartoon genre.
This unique showcase provides a rare in-person glimpse into the magic behind some of the most treasured animated films and characters, and offers a comprehensive exploration of the art, science, technology and history of animation.
See the world’s largest 3D zoetrope, strike a pose with Po from “Kung Fu Panda,” or meet Gumby, the beloved, green, clay humanoid and his sidekick Pokey. Relive timeless moments from classic Disney films, groundbreaking Pixar creations and the latest blockbusters, and look for original hand-drawn cels of real stop-motion maquettes throughout the exhibition’s many stations.
Animation Academy provides a captivating, educational journey into the heart of animation. Venture through the dynamic stages of the animation process, from concept and character creation to storyboarding, rendering and final production. Explore original storyboards, scripts and narrative techniques used in your favorite classic cartoons before putting your own stop-motion movie skills to the test!
Exhibit Highlights:
- The world’s largest 3D zoetrope
- 2D and 3D stop-motion interactives and tracing stations
- Animation university experience
- “The Simpsons” and photo ops
- Shrek KEVA castle interactive
- Magnetic storyboard, RFID animation process and spin browser interactives
- Chuck Jones Studio interactive
- Guest artist workshop experience
- Gumby workshop/studio interactive
- Exclusive 60-year history of Gumby timeline with original puppets
- Exclusive Clokey Studios original character puppets and dioramas
- Ray Harryhausen original Tortoise and the Hare set interactive
- Saturday-morning cartoons experience
- Original Shrek prototype maquettes
- Electronic watercolor wall interactive
- Chromakey social media station
Animation Academy: From Pencils to Pixels®, produced by Stage 9 Exhibits and distributed by Exhibits Development Group, provides BIG fun for all visitors.
HOCKEY: FASTER THAN EVER
OCTOBER 4, 2025 – JANUARY 11, 2026
The Durham Museum is ready to drop the puck on a highly interactive exhibition on the science, history and culture of one of the “coolest” sports in the world.
HOCKEY: Faster Than Ever takes visitors on an exciting journey through the evolution of ice hockey, showcasing the remarkable technical advancements and scientific breakthroughs that have shaped the sport over time. From cutting-edge technologies to the physics of play, the exhibition will leave guests amazed by the fusion of science and sport.
Visitors will test their skills and knowledge like true hockey pros with a variety of exciting interactives. Have lightning-fast reflexes? Put them to the test in “Don’t Blink” and see how many lights you can hit in one minute. Feel the adrenaline rush as you step up to “Need for Speed” and unleash your shot power – measure your slapshot speed and compete with your friends to see who has the fastest shot. Looking to finesse your aim? Hit the targets in “Score Like a Pro” and prove your precision with a puck. Then pay tribute to the pinnacle of hockey at “The Stanley Cup®” touchscreen, where you can get up close to the most coveted trophy in sports history.
Visitors can also snap a selfie with a real ice resurfacer and explore displays showcasing the evolution of skates and gear from the 19th and 20th centuries. The exhibit also features an impressive locker room outfitted with jerseys and more from NHL star players.
HOCKEY: Faster Than Ever is a traveling exhibition produced and toured internationally by Flying Fish in collaboration with the Montréal Science Centre and supported by the ©NHL and the ©NHLPA.
OMAHA’s WORLD’S FAIR OF AVIATION, 1946
MARCH 29-SEPTEMBER 7, 2025
The Durham Museum Photo Archive, John Savage Collection, JS16-005
Omaha’s Offutt Field hosted the World’s Fair of Aviation in July 1946. With an event anticipated to be “the biggest thing that Omaha has done since the Trans-Mississippi Exposition,” the Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben stepped up as a sponsor to accomplish the task. The event included an indoor exhibit space of 120,000 square feet and also featured air shows with a wide range of military aircraft. In terms of attendance, anywhere from 80,000 to over 100,000 people experienced this incredible local spectacle.”
This nine-photo display features images ranging from a German V-2 rocket and “Flying Boxcar” aircraft to the opening ceremony’s ribbon cutting, and was curated by The Durham Museum intern, Mina Bussa, University of Nebraska at Omaha student.
ADMISSION
Adults: $15*
Seniors (62+): $12*
Military/Veteran: $12*
Children (ages 3 – 12): $8*
*PLUS TAX
Children 2 years and under FREE
Members: FREE!
BOOK YOUR TICKET »
Advance reservations are encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome.
Members, your free admission discount is applied near the end of the online registration process.
Visitor FAQs »
