Campus Partnerships Capitalize on the museum's location on the University of Tennessee campus and its ties to UT Knoxville and Oak Ridge National Laboratory to pursue co-branded exhibitions, STEM-focused programs, and grant opportunities. Partner with the university and DOE labs to develop security, sensing, and data-driven exhibits that attract sponsorships and research collaborations, and use campus channels for outreach and cross-promotion.

Events and Membership Monetize admissions by offering paid special events, private tours, and facility rentals alongside free general admission. Develop a strong membership and donor program powered by existing event management tools to drive registrations, renewals, and recurring gifts from students, faculty, alumni, and local supporters.

Tech Modernization Current IT stack shows on-premise Linux servers, LDAP, and monitoring tools. There is an opportunity to modernize with cloud integration, security hardening, disaster recovery planning, and campus-friendly identity management, while potentially offering IT services to other museums.

Fundraising Growth With a small team and modest revenue, pursuing grants and corporate sponsorships can improve financial resilience. Expand fundraising through a digital store, merchandise, sponsorship packages, and collaborations with UT and local partners to diversify income while maintaining free general admission.

Education Programs Leverage the broad collections to expand K-12 and higher-ed education programs, virtual tours, and traveling exhibits. Build partnerships with UT and local schools to deliver standards-aligned, hands-on experiences and digital education that drive engagement and repeat attendance.