The Eye - Planetarium Programs
The Eye @ SMWV offers a variety of STEAM experiences–from traditional planetarium star shows to arts and cultural programming. The Eye is the point of intersection between science and art–showcasing the commonality between the two, and the ways in which multimodal, multi-disciplinary experiences enrich our world.
Daily Shows
The Eye @ SMWV offers two public daily shows Tuesday through Friday at 12:00 PM and 3:30 PM, Saturday at 11:30 AM, 1:00 PM, and 3:30 PM, and one show on Sunday at 3:30 PM. Admission to standard public daily shows is included with your museum entry ticket.
Special Events Programming
*See below for information on SIGHT + SOUND, Open Studio Nights, Stars Over Star City, and our Full Dome Shows*
SIGHT + SOUND Series
The SIGHT + SOUND Series @ the Eye offers multimodal, immersive experiences centering on the two senses The Eye explores best: sight and sound! Special event tickets are available in advance online and on-site.
Join us at the space where sight and sound fuse, forging immersive sensory experiences. SIGHT + SOUND exposes the science of perception as it’s happening–as light waves become vision, sound waves vibrate into sensation, and reality is shaped by the mind’s interpretation.
Each installment explores the intricate interplay between sight and sound, in the fullness of their forms. Through these mindfully curated pieces, you’ll experience the science of perception in action through atmospheric storytelling and evocative soundscapes.
Installations include reactive music visualizers, silent film and footage fragments, digitally-rendered sonics, fusions of familiar and unfamiliar music, and more. As you navigate this liminal space where art and science intersect, allow your senses to guide you, transfix you, and transform the way you see, hear, and experience the world around you.
Past + Future Events:
- October 25 + 27, 2024: The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari
- November 22, 2024: SYNESTHESIA
- April 25, 2025: ASSEMBLAGE
- June 20, 2025: LIVING COLOR
Open Studio Nights
April 18 – Exhibition Event (13+)
Join us on April 18 for an evening celebrating creativity and community. Think of it as an open mic night—but for short-form videos!
This informal, inclusive event is free and open to the public. No tickets are required; seating is general admission and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Whether you’re here to showcase your work or experience the brilliance of local artists, we can’t wait to welcome you.
Note: This event is open to guests aged 13 and older.
Submission Period Closed! Please contact eye_submit@smwv.org for inquiries.
Open Studio Nights
March 14 @ Midnight – Deadline to Submit Content for Exhibition
April 18 @ 6 PM – Exhibition Event (FREE)
A Platform for Creatives | An Event for All
The Eye @ SMWV launches its inaugural Open Studio Night on April 18, 2025 from 6 PM – 7:30 PM. This free, informal event is an invitation to experience an evening of creativity and innovation. Immerse yourself in an exhibition featuring short-form works by local artists and designers, displayed on our dome. Each piece will be accompanied by creator commentary, offering insights into their inspirations and processes.
Call for Submissions – NOW CLOSED
Do you have an original work you’re eager to see displayed in a unique, immersive space? Submissions are now open for our April exhibition!
Submit your short-form video by midnight on Friday, March 14, 2025, for a chance to exhibit your work. The Eye Team will select exhibition pieces and collaborate with the creators to prepare them for the dome.
Submission Guidelines:
- Open to all themes and subjects
- Maximum runtime: 4 minutes
- Must contain an audio track (stereo)
- Files must be 4K Resolution, Square Format
- Accepted file formats: .mp4, .mov
- Our submission system accepts up to 10 GB
Please review the submission guidelines carefully before uploading your work. Submissions that do not meet these requirements cannot be considered.
Questions? Reach out to us at eye_submit@smwv.org.
Stars Over Star City Series
Stars Over Star City series features speakers and custom shows guided by researchers, scientists, experts, and explorers as they guide audiences through their special topics, accompanied by a full dome show and immersive visuals. Special event tickets are available in advance online and on-site.
The series offers speakers and shows designed to educate, inspire, and explore a wide range of STEAM topics. Dive deeper into celestial events, sociological and ethical questions, and worlds of research previously unexplored. Paired with immersive, interactive visuals, Stars Over Star City brings the science to you. This series is for the lifelong learners and the casually curious, both!
*Resident Astrophysicist Specials: Take a guided and curated tour through the night sky! With our Stars over Star City series, learn about the seasonal changes to the stars, local astronomical phenomena, our planetary neighbors, and more! Our traditional star show hosts a rotating list of topics that will be sure to appeal to all space enthusiasts. You’ll even have the opportunity to ask your host all of your burning space questions!
Runtime:
- Full show: approximately 45 mins with Q&A
- Combined with Full-Dome Shows: approximately 20 mins
Topic List:
October 11, 2024: “An Evening with Savannah Mandel”
Full-Dome Shows
The Eye presents: COSMIC CLOUDS
Premiering in June 2025, Cosmic Clouds: The Nebulae is available ONLY at The Eye Planetarium at SMWV.
Runtime: 20 Min.
Created by The Eye team, this full dome show explores one of the universe’s most mysterious and magnificent features–the nebulae.
Journey around one, travel through another, and immerse yourself as we show just what a nebula is and just how it has everything to do with you!
This is a don’t miss! Stop by this summer to be one of the earliest witnesses.
SUMMER 2025 SHOWTIMES:
Tuesdays – Fridays @ 12:00 PM + 3:30 PM
Saturdays @ 11:30 AM, 1:00 PM, + 3:30 PM
Sundays @ 3:30 PM