Muse Knoxville’s vision for the Jacob Building is coming into focus
Muse Knoxville hosted its 13th Annual 'Muse for All' Luncheon on Tuesday at the Jacob Building, celebrating about 140,000 people impacted in FY 2024-25.
Allison Comer, president and CEO of Muse Knoxville, stood in front of more than 100 museum supporters, visibly emotional. It’s easy to understand why.
Muse Knoxville is slated to take over the historic Jacob Building in Chilhowee Park, the Luci Creative team is designing new exhibits, and community leaders from across industries are united behind the mission.
“Imagine walking through these doors, and you are greeted by the ticket counter and a massive climbing wall,” Comer told attendees at the museum’s annual luncheon. “On this side, there’s a huge, vertical rocketship where kids of all ages can climb inside…Upstairs, we will have four classrooms for field trips, home-school co-ops, and birthday parties.”
The designs are based on years of student and community feedback and will feature immersive exhibit zones spanning robotics, energy, transportation, engineering, and more. Over the past several months, Muse leadership has been working with community and business leaders to develop new exhibit concepts for the expanded space.
In August 2025, the Knoxville City Council approved a lease agreement allowing Muse Knoxville to expand into the Jacob Building. The project is backed by a $25 million gift from the Clayton Family Foundation. A 2028 opening is the target.
Why the expansion matters
In fiscal year 2024-25, the museum served 139,895 children and caregivers. More than 90,000 people came through the physical museum, representing 1,843 ZIP codes and all 50 states — all inside a landlocked 10,000-square-foot facility.
“We have outgrown our space and have been dealing with that for years,” Comer said.
How the community can help
On Tuesday, Muse Knoxville held its annual fundraising luncheon inside the Jacob Building, the same space it hopes to soon call home. Tearsa Smith emceed the event, which featured remarks from John Billings, board chair-elect; Allison Comer; and Katie Mixon, vice president of advancement. The program included the presentation of the Core Value Awards, recognizing individuals and organizations who have expanded educational opportunities for children in the community.
All proceeds support the “Muse for All Fund,” which underwrites access to exhibits, hands-on programs, and community outreach and sustains the museum’s daily operations.
Learn more about the Muse Knoxville.
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