A year after opening its doors in Nairobi, the Museum of Illusions marked its first anniversary on Friday by highlighting a growing role in education, youth access and corporate engagement, unveiling new partnerships and donating 1,000 free student tickets to learners from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The celebration brought together educators, corporate partners, artists and students to reflect on what the institution described as a transformative first year.
From interactive school visits to team-building sessions for executives, the museum presented itself as more than a leisure attraction, positioning its spaces as tools for learning and creative thinking.
Director Nika Fuchan described the past 12 months as a period of growth and discovery.
“In the past year, we educated, entertained, we engaged, we celebrated and inspired,” she said, calling it “a truly exciting and very, very interesting journey” since the museum began operations.
She noted that while the concept began internationally as an entertainment idea, it has taken on a broader purpose locally, evolving into “an educational and creative global platform.”
The Nairobi branch, part of a global brand operating in more than six locations worldwide, has worked to build a strong local identity. Fuchan said the response from the public has been overwhelming.
She said the museum received “a fantastic reception” from families, professionals and artists in the city, adding that its “originality, playfulness, creativity and our genuine curiosity was well recognized.”
According to the management, more than 80 schools have visited the facility through structured learning programmes over the past year. The museum says the sessions are designed to blend fun with classroom subjects, helping learners explore science, mathematics, art and psychology through hands-on exhibits.
Marketing Director Mercy Wakio stressed the value of such an approach.
“Learning is most powerful when it's experiential,” she said, recalling childhood school trips where “geography wasn't just a subject” and “history wasn't just a chapter.”
She explained that the museum turns theory into lived experience. “We challenge how the mind interprets reality. We make you question what you see,” she added, describing the space as one where traditional subjects are brought to life in playful and immersive ways.
Speakers at the event said the museum has become a welcome space for young people at a time when mental health challenges are rising, offering what they called a happy and stimulating environment.
A major highlight of the evening was the announcement of 1,000 free tickets for students from disadvantaged backgrounds as part of expanded corporate social responsibility efforts.
Representing the Kenya Comprehensive School Heads Association, regional treasurer Jacklin Okwaro praised the museum for supporting four schools and three community youth talent groups within its first year.
She described the ticket donation as “not just a contribution, it is an opportunity.”
According to Okwaro, the initiative will allow learners who might not otherwise access such experiences to encounter innovation and creativity in a setting designed to inspire.
Corporate partnerships have also played a central role in the museum’s strategy. Fuchan pointed to a recent collaboration with NCBA Group, where students and executives shared the same space during a joint event.
She said it was really fun to see how the students and executive immersed themselves in the museum and allowed themselves to become kids.
During the anniversary celebration, the museum unveiled a new partnership with team-building firm The River Tree aimed at reshaping workplace training.
Speaking on behalf of the company, Ladu Lima said the collaboration would go beyond routine exercises to deliver team building experiences that engage the senses and test perception.
“Did you ever think your body or your brain or your eyes could betray you?” he asked, linking the museum’s illusion-based exhibits to workplace behaviour and decision-making.
Beyond schools and corporations, the museum has also worked closely with local creatives. Mural installations formed part of the anniversary showcase, underlining its commitment to urban culture and artistic collaboration.
Throughout the evening, the message was clear: the first anniversary was not only about marking attendance or milestones, but about building stronger ties with schools, businesses and the creative community.
“As we celebrate tonight,” Okwaro said, “may this anniversary mark the beginning of even deeper collaboration and greater impact.”
For the leadership team, the milestone signals both pride and renewed ambition. “I'm really, really looking forward to the new year, new adventures, new partnerships and new projects,” Fuchan concluded.
