The Leonardo da Vinci Museum of North America is an expansive science and art focused museum to explore the genius of Leonardo da Vinci’s contributions to our world. It is not meant as a history museum solely focused on the man himself.

This is a wonderful display of Da Vinci’s inventions in Prato. See more at their home museum in Florence – “Museo Leonardo da Vinci” – Via del Castellaccio, 1r, Firenze, Italy.

Update: On February 20, the Colorado Economic Development Commission (EDC) approved our bid to lease the space.

Our museum location will be at 310 Central Main Street Pueblo, CO, United States, Colorado 81003 next to the Pueblo Convention Center and Historic Arkansas Riverwalk. This 18,000+ sq ft space will include exhibits, a gift shop and outdoor Cafe Leonardo. Future expansion will include the restored Centennial planetarium.

The Sangre de Cristo Arts Center displayed an exhibit of Leonardo da Vinci’s models. After the exhibit ended, we kept the models in Pueblo and loaned them out to exhibits nationwide. The increasing interest in these exhibits and the support from Pueblo made it the perfect spot to open the first Leonardo da Vinci Museum in North America. Plus, the area’s connection to steelmaking and manufacturing makes it an ideal place to celebrate Leonardo da Vinci’s genius and inspire future generations to explore STEAM fields.

Currently, the Leonardo da Vinci Museum of North America is not seeking additional local city or county funds to launch the project. We have negotiated a lease agreement that is appropriate for the venue and meets the needs of the RTA agreement with the State of Colorado.

Colorado passed the Regional Tourism Act in 2009 to help fund large tourism projects to attract new visitors from out of state after the 2008 Great Recession. The money comes from state sales tax increment financing. When a new development in a defined geographic area creates new tax revenue, an increment of that new revenue will finance the projects. Projects can borrow money against that increment of sales tax revenue. Each year until the payments total the whole funds award, the State pays the project’s financing entity the increment of sales tax from the geographic area.

The Regional Tourism Act Program funded projects that:

• are extraordinary and distinctive and likely to significantly increase economic development and tourism in the community and in the state
• are likely to substantially an increase in out-of-state tourism
• are likely to general a significant portion of the sales tax revenue from transactions with nonresidents of Colorado – a possible exemption is if the project is likely to general a significant portion of the sales tax revenue from transactions with Colorado residents and the revenue would otherwise leave Colorado due to a lack of a similar project or facility in Colorado
• would not have been likely to happen in the foreseeable future without this program

Additionally, the space must have international, and sports components based on the previous occupant.

With a space now secured, we will begin renovation on the interior for exhibitions. We are hoping to launch by late fall 2025.

1. Donations are always welcome to help support the museum opening and programming. Alternatively, you can send a check to 121 W. City Center Drive, Ste 240, Pueblo, CO 81003. All donations are tax deductible.
2. Help spread the word and follow @leonardomuseumna on your social platforms!
3. Join us for our opening celebrations, more info to follow
4. Reach out to support at info@leonardomuseumna.org

Yes. Our board and team are made up of local business owners, artists, current museum board members, educators, STEM professionals, and consultants who are active in local marketing and have experience with other museums in Pueblo. The organization is a local nonprofit and the Artisans of Florence have established a Colorado based company.

The Artisans of Florence design, develop and deliver award-winning, interactive, science and historical exhibitions to museums, science centers, art galleries and private institutions worldwide. In partnership with the Museum of Leonardo da Vinci (Florence, Italy) they have developed a series of blockbuster exhibitions to suit venues of all sizes and audiences. These are shared worldwide in temporary touring exhibitions at local museums.

Keep an eye out as we release job opportunities. These will include roles in museum administration and design, marketing, education with a focus on science, match, technology and engineering, museum development, docents and more! Send us your interest and a resume to info@leonardomuseumna.org

This is the first in North America, as well as our partnership with the Museum of Leonardo da Vinci in Florence, Italy. There are other museums featuring Da Vinci inspired exhibitions in Amboise, France; Seoul, South Korea; Australia and Brazil.

• First of its kind destination in Colorado & North America!
• Tax revenue & job creation
• Increase out of state tourists
• International recognition, collaboration & innovation
• Inspire learning, access & interest in “STEAM”
• Tourism: local, regional, national & international
• Educational partnerships: local and internal students
• Partner opportunities with the regional events
• Open 7 Days a week = more Riverwalk visits
• Boost attendance at local events such as the Pueblo Chile Fest and those held at the Convention Center

Conducted by The Thomas V. Healy Center for Business and Economic Research at the Hasan School of Business at Colorado State University-Pueblo

Report Prepared by: Michael Wakefield, Ph.D.
Numbers were derived based on attendance rates at similar museums in the region, as well as rates at the other Leonardo da Vinci Museums around the world.

• Worst case: an additional 17.52 jobs & economic output of $1.4 million in the first year.
• Most Likely Case: an additional 18.26 jobs projected output of $1.7 million dollars in first year.
• Best Case Scenario: an additional 19 jobs and economic output of $1,824,288.87 in first year.
• Most Likely Case: projected output of $2,286,984.21 annually after 5 years.

• Local, regional, state, national & international support
• Destination Management Organizations (DMOs)
• City and County Government
• Regional partners
• Public officials & local leaders
• Colorado & International Universities
• Educational institutions: All levels
• Foundations, sponsors & donors
• Business & Industry
• Colorado State Fair to boost agriculture programs
• Individuals, students, parents & families
• Other museums & cultural attractions

International Exhibits

Florence, Italy 2023:

•   € 1,700,000 total annual income
•   € 200,000+ gift shop revenue
•   160,000 visitors

Amboise, France 2024:

•   400,000 visitors

Western Australia Exhibit:

•   261% of the city’s population in visitation

Sokcho, South Korea Museum:

•   Opened in April 2024, data pending

North American Exhibits

In 2024, models stored in Pueblo, CO were used for exhibits in: Chicago, Miami, NYC, Detroit, LA, San Diego

• San Diego, CA: Air & Space Museum – Galileo Exhibit:   200,000 visitors
• Huntsville, AL: US Space & Rocket Center – Archimedes Exhibit:  Tourism & visitation 30% greater than previous exhibit