Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences is Australia’s contemporary museum for excellence and innovation in applied arts and scie ... nces. Established in 1879, our venues include Powerhouse Museum, Sydney Observatory and Discovery Centre. We are uniquely placed to demonstrate how technology, engineering, science and design impact Australia and the world. Internationally, MAAS is acknowledged for the calibre of our collection, scholarship and exhibitions. Our collection spans history, science, technology, design, industry, decorative arts, music, transport and space exploration. It is also home to the material heritage and stories of Australian culture, history and lifestyle, providing a comprehensive insight into this rich and diverse country. There is estimated to be well over 500,000 separate items in the MAAS collection. A program of temporary exhibitions and programs complements a range of permanent galleries throughout MAAS venues. We place a strong emphasis on learning and creativity. read more