Adventure Science Center Receives Grant from TN State Museum

Capital Maintenance and Improvements Grant will be used for enhanced operational safety measures

Nashville, TN, October 21, 2025: Adventure Science Center is a recipient of a $26,762 grant for Capital Maintenance and Improvements from the State of Tennessee as administered through the Tennessee State Museum. The grant award will be used to replace a large steel door at the entrance of the center’s Exhibition Workshop, ensuring  continued safe separation between behind the scenes operations and front of house STEM exploration.

The Tennessee General Assembly made available $5 million in funding from the 2025-2026 Appropriations Act, “for the sole purpose of providing grants to museums with a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization or affiliated with a governmental entity for capital maintenance and improvements.”

In the third year of the grant program, it remains a highly competitive process. In total, the Tennessee State Museum received 178 applications, totaling $12,031,874 in requests. The Museum has made full or partial awards to 99 museums across the state, representing 45 counties. In the three years the Museum has administered the grant program, it has served museums in 73 counties across the state. A complete list of 2025-26 grantees, counties and amounts is posted at TNMuseum.org/grants.

“The Tennessee Capital Improvement Grants continue to support and strengthen the infrastructure of institutions preserving our state and local history and culture,” said Ashley Howell, Tennessee State Museum Executive Director. “We are honored to help support the commitment of those institutions to better serve their communities and visitors through collection care and visitor accessibility these last three years. We are inspired by the dedication of their staff and volunteers. None of it would be possible, of course, without the State of Tennessee’s unwavering support for Tennessee history.”

"We are incredibly thankful for this funding which supports keeping Adventure Science Center a safe, enjoyable experience for the over 250,000 individuals who walk through our doors each year,” said Leah Melber, Ph. D., President & CEO of Adventure Science Center. “With a building over 50 years old, capital funding is critical part of maintaining this dynamic learning space. We greatly appreciate the state's support and partnership"

The Capital Maintenance and Improvements grant had a minimum request amount of $5,000 and a maximum request amount of $100,000.  All projects must be completed by June 30, 2026.

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Grant-making organizations, corporations, and foundations provide critical support to our efforts connecting our community with science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and more. Together, we are creating a future where exploration and innovation thrive. If you would like to learn more about how you can get involved, contact Michelle Pruett.