Imagination Station

In October 2003, Imagination Station's Executive Staff and Board participated in the Blue Cross Blue Shield Healthy Communities Program to consider ways that the organization could operate more effectively and to examine its role in the community. As a result of this program, Imagination Station held a Board Retreat in January 2004 and began develo... ping its first long-range plan since 1996. Staff and Board worked to realign the mission and goals of the Museum, as well as to adopt best practices to allow the Board of Directors to function more efficiently. In March 2005 the Museum was awarded one of three Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation of North Carolina Best Practices In Non-profit Management Awards. The City of Wilson, Wilson County and the corporate community have all been supportive of Imagination Station in recent years with significant contributions towards both operating and capital costs. In 1998 Imagination Station was awarded a prestigious MINDS (Minorities' Interests Nurtured and Developed in Science) grant from the Burroughs Wellcome Foundation (Research Triangle Park, NC). The MINDS program was developed to increase science interests among minority groups, giving students the opportunity to engage in science enrichment activities and conduct real scientific research under the mentorship of working scientists in the region. In 2009 Imagination Station Science Museum was honored to be awarded a $150,000 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Museums for America program. Museums for America is the nation's largest federal funding program for museums. Reviewed by panels of professional peers, these grants are highly competitive. The Museum's grant has funded a new exhibitions master plan and a portion of the first phase of exhibition fabrication. This project helps to redefine the Museum by transforming the nature of its educational services and visitor experiences. It is the first IMLS award received by Imagination Station.Read More