The Tennessee State Museum has announced that 102 museums across 49 counties will receive funding through its 2026-27 Capital Maintenance and Improvements grant program, supported by $5 million appropriated by the Tennessee General Assembly.
Now in its fourth year, the program provides financial assistance to nonprofit and government-affiliated museums for facility maintenance, repairs and capital improvements that support the preservation of Tennessee’s history and cultural heritage.
The program continues to attract significant interest from museums throughout the state. This year, the Tennessee State Museum received 160 applications requesting a combined $10.4 million, more than twice the available funding. Of those applicants, 102 museums received full or partial grants.
Since the program began four years ago, it has provided assistance to museums in 76 of Tennessee’s 95 counties.
“The Tennessee State Museum’s Capital Grant program continues to bolster the infrastructure of Tennessee museums,” said Ashley Howell, executive director of the Tennessee State Museum. “It is an honor to support the incredible work of our robust network of Tennessee museums.”
Howell said the funding helps museums preserve local and state history while maintaining facilities that serve their communities.
“This grant is an extension of how the state of Tennessee can further assist these museums and their efforts to preserve local and state history,” she said. “We thank the Tennessee General Assembly for their continued aid for Tennessee museums.”
The grants are funded through the state’s 2026-27 Appropriations Act, which designated $5 million specifically for capital maintenance and improvements at museums operating as 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations or affiliated with government entities.
Eligible museums could request grants ranging from $5,000 to $100,000. All funded projects must be completed by June 30, 2027.
The awards are intended to help museums address infrastructure needs and maintain facilities that house historical artifacts, exhibitions and educational programs. Such improvements are particularly important for smaller community museums that may have limited resources for major repairs and renovations.
The Tennessee State Museum, which administers the program, will celebrate its 90th anniversary in 2027. Located at the corner of Rosa L. Parks Boulevard and Jefferson Street in Nashville, the museum features six permanent exhibitions exploring Tennessee’s history, from its earliest inhabitants through the present day.
The museum also presents temporary exhibitions highlighting significant historical events, individuals, art and cultural movements.
Admission to the Tennessee State Museum is free. It is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday from 1-5 pm.
A complete list of grant recipients, counties and award amounts is available at <TNMuseum.org/grants>.
