Discovery place will implement a professional development initiative to modernize workforce infrastructure and strengthen professional development systems to support staff across multiple locations…

The Institute of Museum and Library Services awarded Discovery Place, Inc. $515,619 on September 1, 2026, under the Museums for America program (CFDA 45.301) to implement a professional development initiative modernizing workforce infrastructure across the Charlotte, North Carolina-based institution.

Discovery Place will deploy a modern human resources information system integrating performance management, professional learning, career pathway development, and workforce analytics into a single platform. The system will support up to 160 full-time staff members across multiple organizational locations. Paired with the technology platform, the project includes adaptive leadership training cohorts, innovation workshops, and a structured employee mentorship program designed to build leadership capacity and cross-department collaboration. These activities will establish clearer advancement pathways and documented career pathways to equip staff with competencies needed to support sustained organizational growth and evolving technology-enabled museum operations.

The award period runs through August 31, 2029. Place of performance is Charlotte, North Carolina.

Discovery place will implement a professional development initiative to modernize workforce infrastructure and strengthen professional development systems to support staff across multiple locations across the institution. The project supports the implementation of a modern human resources information system that will connect performance management, professional learning, career pathway development, and workforce analytics within a single integrated platform. Paired with adaptive leadership training, mentorship structures, and documented career pathways, the new system will enable discovery place to cultivate a future-ready museum workforce equipped to navigate organizational growth and evolving technology-enabled museum operations. The organization will also expand professional development through adaptive leadership cohorts, innovation workshops, and a structured employee mentorship program designed to build leadership capacity and cross-department collaboration. The project will equip up to 160 full-time staff members with clearer advancement pathways, stronger leadership competencies, and the infrastructure needed to support sustained organizational growth.