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Exhibits

Spark

NOW OPEN!

FIND YOUR SPARK. CHANGE THE WORLD.

Inspiration and innovation are cornerstones of our human experience. Together they form a cycle of discovery that people use to shape the world. This cycle begins with a spark. A spark can be anything that transforms someone from a consumer into a creator. They motivate us to make what we want to see. They can be intensely personal or literally global in their scale. The Spark Exhibition explores these moments to reveal a diverse and uniquely human tradition, one that fuels our wildest imaginations and satisfies our most practical concerns. What inspires you? How will you innovate?

EXHIBIT HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Innovation Inspired by Nature – walk through an immersive mural experience exploring the ways people use strategies from nature to solve human challenges.
  • Bakkenspiel – play physical and digital musical instruments to discover computer and musical languages.
  • Animation Station – create a stop-motion movie by photographing still images of created scenes that thread
    together into an animated sequence.
  • Collaboration Canvas – move your body to collaborate with machines and create virtual paint strokes and splatters in this kinetic, full body interactive.
  • Magic Book – turn the pages of this one of a kind book to bring science fiction literature to life!
  • Bakken Booth – step in to our phone booth to hear how communication has changed over time to connect people and cultures. Keep an eye out for secret codes to the Bakken Booth hidden throughout the exhibit!
  • Personal Prostheses 2.0 – an updated version of our popular Personal Prosthesis exhibit. Uncover how individuals inspire innovations in the field of prosthetics.
 

The Spark exhibit challenges visitors to see scientific innovation as a creative process that often requires new ways of approaching everyday problems. Great innovations can be inspired by the humanities, nature, and even pop culture.

- Michael Sanders, President & CEO of The Bakken Museum

The Spark exhibit is generously sponsored by:

Primary Sponsor

Additional support from

EXHIBIT FAQ

What is the Spark exhibit about?
The Spark Exhibit seeks to awaken the innovator inside of each of us. Through a combination of high and low technology experiences, visitors explore past innovations and learn to ask big questions to make the world a better place.
When will the exhibit be available?
This is a permanent exhibit. Spark will open to the general public on Friday, October 9, 2020. Members of The Bakken Museum will receive early access during a special preview Saturday, October 3 and Sunday October 4, 2020.
What are the hours of the exhibit?
The Bakken Museum will reopen to the public Tuesdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. beginning Friday, October 9, 2020.
How can purchase general admission?
General admission tickets are available at thebakken.org/tickets. To allow for social distancing, timed tickets must be purchased in advance of visiting the museum. Museum members receive free admission to the museum but must also reserve a timed ticket in advance.
How much is admission?

Admission to The Bakken Museum is as follows:

Adults: $11
Seniors (62+): $9
Students (with ID): $8
Children (4-17): $6
Children (3 and under): Free
Members: Free
Limited Income Admission: $1

Do you offer limited income admission discounts?

Yes! $1 admission is available for individuals enrolled in one or more of the following: TANF, MFIP, WIC, General Assistance, Medical Assistance, MinnesotaCare, Supplemental Security Income, Social Security Disability Benefits, SNAP, Section 8, or Free/Reduced Price School Meals. To purchase limited income admission, call our Visitors Services Desk at 612.926.3878 or email info@thebakken.org.

How long does it take to visit the exhibit?
We expect visitors to spend 30 minutes in the Spark exhibit. Most visitors to The Bakken Museum spend a total of 1.5 to 2 hours in the museum and gardens.
What ages is the exhibit appropriate for?
The Spark exhibit is appropriate for all ages. The exhibit is designed to engage both adults and children of all ages and to encourage dialog, both humous and relevant.
Can I take photos in the exhibit?

Yes! Photos are encouraged throughout The Bakken Museum. Members of the media should contact our Communications Department at 612.446.3104 or whitte@thebakken.org to arrange shoots for still photography and film.

Is the exhibit ADA accessible?
Yes! The exhibit is designed to be accessible to all people. Additional accessibility amenities including noise cancelling headphones are available from the visitor services desk.
Is the exhibit bilingual?
Yes! All information in the Spark exhibit is displayed in both English and Spanish.