Kids Discovery Factory gets $500K state grant

(BATESVILLE, Ind.) – Kids Discovery Factory in Batesville has received a major grant from the State of Indiana.

They are getting $500,000 as part of the READI 2.0 Arts & Culture grant, which is a $65M initiative to advance the state's arts and culture economy. 

The grant will support a mural on their new building, outdoor musical instruments, interactive exhibits, programmatic spaces, the Purdue IN-MaC Design and Innovation Studio, the Spark!Lab, and membership and visitor tracking software. 

"This investment will create opportunities for children to imagine, experiment, build, and discover,” said Executive Director Emili Uden. “The READI 2.0 Arts & Culture Grant is helping us create a destination that will inspire young people for generations while strengthening our region as a place where families want to live, work, and visit."

Construction is ongoing at the new KDF Museum which is expected to open in early 2027. 

The museum will feature 12 immersive exhibit galleries that will allow children to learn and explore through different STEAM-related activities. 

“While this milestone brings the project significantly closer to completion, community support continues to play a vital role. Opportunities remain for businesses, foundations, and individuals to sponsor exhibit galleries, fund interactive experiences, and help create a museum that will inspire curiosity, creativity, and lifelong learning for generations of children,” Uden added.

Click this link for more information about Kids Discovery Factory or contact Emili Uden at Emili@KidsDiscoveryFactory.org

The READI 2.0 Arts & Culture Grant was also awarded to other local organizations:

• The Dillsboro Friendship Arts Gallery is getting $40,000 for the creation of the Dillsboro Studio Residency to develop local artists and cultivate creative entrepreneurs.   

• The Union County Foundation has received $1M to build an open-air pavilion and a documentary series to spotlight creative entrepreneurs.

  
  

• Oldenburg Freudenfest Committee received a $148K grant to build a new performance pavilion, create a new festival and a paint one-of-a-kind mural at Maypole Heritage Park. Read that story here.

  
  

• The Archaeological Research Institute in Lawrenceburg received $424K to enhance their visitor experience. Read that story here.