NMAAM AWARDED CAPITAL MAINTENANCE AND IMPROVEMENTS GRANT FROM THE TENNESSEE STATE MUSEUM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDED A CAPITAL MAINTENANCE AND IMPROVEMENTS GRANT FROM THE TENNESSEE STATE MUSEUM

GRANT USED FOR HVAC REPAIRS AND UPGRADES 

NASHVILLE, TN (Sept 30, 2026) – The National Museum of African American Music is a recipient of a $50,000 grant for Capital Maintenance and Improvements from the State of Tennessee as administered through the Tennessee State Museum. The grant funds will be used to support critical capital maintenance and infrastructure improvements at the National Museum of African American Music, including HVAC, boiler, ventilation, and building systems upgrades. These investments will enhance the museum’s operational efficiency, protect its facilities, and ensure a safe, comfortable, and welcoming environment for visitors, students, educators, and community members. By strengthening the museum’s physical infrastructure, these improvements will help sustain NMAAM’s ability to deliver world-class exhibitions, educational programs, and cultural experiences for years to come.

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.” 

“This grant helps ensure NMAAM remains a welcoming, world-class destination where visitors can explore and celebrate the rich legacy of African American music,” said Alyssa DiTuro, Assistant Director of Partnerships, National Museum of African American Music. “We are grateful for this investment in our facility and our mission.”

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.

About the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM)

The National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM), located in downtown Nashville, is the only museum dedicated to preserving and celebrating the many music genres created, influenced, and inspired by African Americans. Through immersive exhibits, educational programming, and community engagement, NMAAM connects audiences to the history, impact, and legacy of African American music while inspiring future generations through the transformative power of music. Learn more at www.nmaam.org.

About the Tennessee State Museum

Celebrating its 88th Anniversary in 2025, the Tennessee State Museum, located on the corner of Rosa L Parks Blvd. and Jefferson Street at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, is your home to thousands of years of Tennessee history, art, and culture. Through six permanent exhibitions titled Natural History, First Peoples, Forging a Nation, The Civil War and Reconstruction, Change and Challenge, and Tennessee Transforms, the Museum takes visitors on a journey–through artifacts, films, interactive displays, events and educational and digital programing–from the state’s geological beginnings to the present day. Additional temporary exhibitions explore significant periods and individuals in history, along with art and cultural movements. The Museum is free and open to the public Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. For more information on exhibitions and events, please visit TNMuseum.org.

CONTACT:
Dr. Dexter Evans
National Museum of African American Music
marketing@nmaam.org
615-301-8724

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