Louisiana Art & Science Museum (LASM)

Louisiana Art & Science Museum (LASM)
Years in Business: 62 years
President & Executive Director: Karen M. Soniat, Ph.D.

Housed in a historic train station on the banks of the Mississippi River in downtown Baton Rouge, the Louisiana Art & Science Museum (LASM) has been encouraging discovery, inspiring creativity, and fostering the pursuit of knowledge for 62 years. LASM’s immersive, 171-seat Irene W. Pennington Planetarium has remained the largest and most technologically-advanced planetarium in the state since it opened in 2003.

Services Provided:

• BASF’s Kids’ Workshops
• Hands-On Galleries
• Planetarium Family Hour Stargazing
• Field Trips

How do you make it a point to put families first?
LASM serves families by offering a variety of free admission programs designed to make it easy for all people to visit the museum. Free First Sunday provides free museum admission and unlimited Irene W. Pennington Planetarium shows on the first Sunday of every month. The Blue Star Museums program provides free admission for active duty military members, first responders, and their families and is sponsored by Special Risk Insurance dba VFIS of Miss/Lou in memory of Eugene R. “Gene” Witek, Fire Coordinator for Ascension Fire District #1.

Families can also sign up to be an LASM member, which not only provides free admission for a year but also directly supports the museum’s mission as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. LASM members often save money when they purchase a membership if they visit the museum frequently. Reciprocal membership benefits are offered at the $130 “Family” membership level and above, enabling families to receive discounted admission to over 1,500 museums throughout the U.S.

What do you enjoy the most about having the museum in our area?
A truly unique cultural gem that enhances Louisiana’s vibrant capital city, LASM is the only art and science museum in our region. At LASM, families can explore ancient Egypt, enjoy fine art, immerse themselves in the cosmos, and engage in hands-on learning experiences including the BASF’s Kids’ Lab program – all in one day, under one roof, and in a welcoming and inclusive environment.

LASM’s location in downtown Baton Rouge makes it easy for families to enjoy a full day of “museum hopping” by visiting other institutions that are a short distance away, such as the Old State Capitol, LSU Museum of Art, and Capitol Park Museum. There are many great downtown lunch and dinner options.

What’s next for the museum?
LASM is marching “full STEAM ahead” with an exciting, multi-phase renovation of its hands-on children’s areas called The STEAM Station. The goal is to engage families and students through interactive Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM)-based exhibits and activities that are as educational as they are entertaining.

Phase 1 of these renovations, which transformed the former Science Station gallery into a STEAM-based gallery called “The Seed,” opened in January 2024 to rave reviews. Renovations to The STEAM Lab, Discovery Depot Workshop, and the Discovery Depot Gallery will be completed during the next several years. Improvements to LASM are directly supported by LASM’s Annual Gala. Keep an eye out for more updates!