Discovery Ball

Save the Date!

24th Annual Discovery Ball

April 1, 2023

Join us for an extraordinary evening of celebration at the California Science Center on Saturday, April 1^st featuring the opening of Maya: The Exhibition. Guests of the 24^th Annual Discovery Ball will be among the first to journey through this impressive display of more than 250 authentic artifacts and hands-on science exhibits highlighting the rise, fall, and legacy of the Maya Civilization of Mexico and Central America.

Don’t miss the Science Center’s last Discovery Ball beneath the wings of Endeavour in its current location before the space shuttle goes off exhibit temporarily to be moved and lifted to vertical configuration in its new permanent home, the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center, now under construction.

Your generous participation in the Discovery Ball will help the California Science Center fulfill our mission to stimulate curiosity and inspire science learning in everyone. Table sponsorships range from $15,000 to $50,000 offering attractive benefits and recognition, with patron tickets also available in pairs of 2 for $3,000. Check back soon for more information about sponsorship packages.

                                                                                         Gala Presenting Sponsor

Maya: The Exhibition is produced by MuseumsPartner in Austria, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Sports of the Government of the Republic of Guatemala and La Ruta Maya Foundation.

On May 7, 2022, nearly 600 guests joined the California Science Center Foundation in celebration at the 23rd Annual Discovery Ball benefit featuring the world premiere of Angkor: The Lost Empire of Cambodia — an international touring exhibition featuring over 120 ancient artifacts, half of which are on tour for the first time. With the leadership of our Discovery Ball Co-Chairs Nanci Nishimura of Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy and John Sinnema of U.S. Bank, the gala raised nearly $1.6 million in support of science learning for everyone!

Thanks to our generous supporters, proceeds from the Discovery Ball help sustain the hands-on exhibits, programs and operations that make the California Science Center a world-class educational resource and family destination. 

The Discovery Ball is the California Science Center Foundation’s signature annual benefit event. The black-tie gala has been described as “a virtual who’s who of the Los Angeles business community” by the Los Angeles Business Journal. It consistently places in the top 5 annually in the benefits category of the Top 100 Events in Southern California by BizBash Magazine and recently won Special Events Magazine’s 2020 Gala Award for Best Fundraising Event.

To inquire about how you can support our 24th Annual Discovery Ball on April 1, 2023 contact the Development Office at 213-744-7494 or galainfo@californiasciencecenter.org.

Relive Past years' galas