Annual Report | FY 2023-2024
ANNUAL REPORT | FY 2023-2024
Letter from the Executive Director, Allison Comer
Dear Friends & Supporters
I am thrilled to share the remarkable progress and achievements of our FY 23-24. This year, our dedicated team worked tirelessly to create innovative programs and exhibits, ensuring an enriching experience for all our visitors. We introduced four new exhibit spaces: We Beelong, Healthy Kids Clinic, Tech Play, and Cosmo’s Cafe, each designed to inspire curiosity and learning in unique and engaging ways! Our solar eclipse events and the new “Totality” planetarium show were particularly memorable, offering engaging educational experiences for the whole family. Additionally, we launched Sensory Nights every other month, providing an inclusive environment for families with disabilities and sensory processing needs.
In our commitment to enhancing the quality and impact of our core programs, we focused on strengthening field trips, outreach classes, homeschool pods, workforce development initiatives, and our volunteer program. These efforts are vital in fostering a love for science and discovery among the youth in our community.
Despite our growth, we faced the challenge of accommodating all who wished to visit. Unfortunately, due to fire code capacity, we had to waitlist over 2,300 visitors this past fiscal year. This reinforces our unwavering focus on growth and expansion to meet the increasing demand and ensure that every child has the opportunity to explore and learn at Muse Knoxville.
Looking ahead, we are excited for what the future holds! Our commitment to being the children’s science museum that our community deserves drives us to continue innovating and expanding our reach. We are deeply grateful for the unwavering support of our stakeholders, donors, partners and supporters. Your generosity and dedication have been instrumental in making this year’s successes possible.
Thank you for believing in our mission and for your continued support. Together, we are creating a brighter future for the children and families of our community!
With heartfelt gratitude,
What our team and community
Accomplished This Year
Volunteers
who contributed an estimated total of 3,980 hours of work.
Free family night
visitors from 63 distinct zip codes reveling in the magic of our museum without any admission fees.
Families Enrolled
in Family Access Pass Memberships, which provide families access to our museum for $25 total.
Educators Impacted
from 20 zip codes and 4 East TN counties through STEAM-based professional development sessions, reaching 2,184 local students.
Intern Experiences
focusing on leadership skills for young adults through career and disability-based programming totaling 643 service hours.