n O A h ’ S A R K

f R O m h e A d t O tA I L

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who built this place?

Noah’s Ark at the SkirballTM was created by a whole crew of people—from architects to puppet makers, sound-effects whizzes to people who could tie knots, to a mom-and-pop team who knew the right way to make a rainbow. Then we brought in folks to fill it with fun, like storytellers, musicians, animal experts, and visual artists.

Before building anything, we talked with kids and teachers and parents, and we thought it through for years, kicking and screaming and cheering and high-fiving until we got it right.

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what’s it made of?

We used an old story, so we decided to use old stuff. Stuff from attics, stuff from e-bay, and some stuff right off the street. A John Deere tractor seat makes for a good deer derriere. And there’s nothing here that lights up or reboots when you press a button. Our bells and whistles are actual bells and whistles.

The ark itself is made of Douglas fir. And the animal heads are hand-carved from sustainably harvested wood (that means we borrowed from forests but didn’t destroy them).

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what

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8Everyone poops. . . differently

(we consulted a naturalist for the right varieties of scat)

Number of animals on board Noah’s Ark aat the Skirball

386

Number of animals aboard the Skirball ark

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8Everyone poops. . . differently

(we consulted a naturalist for the right varieties of scat)

Number of kinds of poop on the ark

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Dimensions of the Skirball ark

15 ft. high

65^

^

(This is not the size of the ark in the Bible. That one was much bigger — around the length of three football fields.)

65ft. long

41 ft. wide

^^

(This is not the size of the ark in the Bible. That one was much bigger — around the length of three football fields.)

when

when did the journey begin?

Noah’s Ark at the Skirball opened in June 2007, after five years of thinking about it 24/7. But the inspiration really came from an armada of folk art Noah’s Arks that the Skirball has in its museum collection—more than 120 in all.

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where’s noah?

Here’s our take on the story: it’s about surviving the challenges life throws our way by getting along and working together, and about making the most of second chances. All of us have a role to play, so on this ark, all of us are Noahs. And guess what? All the animals are welcome, too—not just two of each, and not just the cute and cuddly ones.

As it turns out, Noah’s Ark is just one of hundreds of flood stories from around the world. In some tales, the ark is a walnut shell; in others, a hollowed-out pumpkin. But they all have huge storms, safe shelters, and new beginnings.

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30,000

Number of knots in the rope course(tied by hand)

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200more than

Number of flood narratives we have identified from different

cultures and time periods

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why did you build it?

Well, we wanted to create a space especially for families. We wanted it to be fun, of course, but also meaningful — a celebration of diversity and community, and an experience for all generations. Welcoming and honoring families is at the heart of the Skirball’s mission as a Jewish institution. We hope you feel a sense of wonder when you step inside. We hope it’s a space where people talk to one another and maybe feel inspired to go out and do something good in the world.

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© 2013 SKIRBALL CULTURAL CENTER

Comments on this book? E-mail familyprograms@skirball.org.

W W W. S K I R B A L L .O R G