Comic-Con has grown so much in popularity that it’s sold out every year for more than ten years. Now, you can get your superhero on all-year-round at the new Comic-Con Museum, with in-person exhibits and programming or virtually through their website. Located in San Diego’s Balboa Park, the museum’s grand opening will take place in 2021.
We were intrigued by the idea of all the greatness of Comic-Con being available in one place to visit any time. So we reached out to the museum and interviewed Melissa Peterman, Vice President of Comic-Con Museum.
“We’re keenly aware of the demand for a Comic-Con experience based on the show’s growth. So that coupled with us also wanting to further promote our mission and the impact of the organization led us to begin looking for ways to do that,” said Peterman.
There are many different ways to enjoy the museum. Here are a few highlights of what you’ll find:
Ever-changing content
Visitors will enjoy 25,000 square feet of rotating exhibits, creating the potential for a new Comic-Con Museum experience each visit. “Pop culture is so dynamic. In order for us to reflect the ever-changing content and the interests of fans, things will change on a staggered basis,” said Peterman.
The long-range plans for the museum also include a café with a changing menu of dishes and beverages, creatively inspired by the themes of the rotating exhibits and programs. In addition, there will be a 4K video theater.
Comic-Con Museum has been in a soft opening for the last year and a half with the testing of exhibits and programs, both in-person and online. But the main focus over the course of the last several months has been the online museum experience due to the pandemic.
“We’re thinking really intentionally and strategically about how we convert in-person experiences into the online space so that wherever you are in the world you can have a Comic-Con Museum experience,” said Peterman.
Educational and public programming will be available that connects to the exhibits. And there will be other programs you could see on a regular basis such as how to create a comic book or how to design a video game.
Comic-Con Museum website
Comic-Con Museum teamed up with the Cardboard Superheroes, and put a series of workshops together about how to build some of your favorite pop culture characters and artifacts out of cardboard.
Since most of us have cardboard boxes around the house these days from package deliveries, it’s a great way to recycle and be creative at the same time.
Additionally, there are plenty of other fun activities you can do with your kids or even by yourself on the Comic-Con Museum website.
Museum Education Center
The Education Center is on the upper level of the museum and will have five classrooms used for daily programming.
One of the locations where visitors can participate in classes is the Cox Innovation Lab. It will be outfitted with STEAM education equipment to get the next generation of innovators ready. Using science, math, arts and engineering, possible topics include graphic design, animation, film, robotics, and gaming.
“Pop culture is far reaching in terms of people it touches. Comic-Con itself is a place where everyone is welcome. You just have to bring your passions,” said Peterman.
For more information, visit comic-con.org/museum.
