Spark at The Grace

Spark Art & History is an exploratory space located on the second floor of The Grace Museum. This special area was designed for children & families and includes 30+ interactive learning stations geared to inspire creativity, play, and to spark your imagination!

Spark Science Center at Abilene Heritage Square is a new extension of The Grace Museum with a STEAM focus (opening May 2026)! Visitors of all ages will be able to explore 100+ indoor and outdoor exhibits in the areas of biology, chemistry, engineering, physics, and astronomy.

Spark Science Center

History Space

Read stories about the early days of Abilene in our brand new History Space located in the front area of Spark. Learn how the construction of the T&P Railway significantly shaped our city’s growth and development in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Enjoy rotating exhibits about the history of Abilene and our surrounding towns, informational videos, and objects on display from our Grace permanent history collection.

Art Space

Our Art Space is the largest of the three areas that comprise Spark. It offers wide open spaces as well as cozy nooks where you can draw, paint, build, act, dance, make music, and let your imagination run wild! We have designed this space to accommodate small and tall kids, wheelchairs, family groups, and tour groups as well. Some of the main features include a three-level Art House, high-tech converted Volkswagen Beetle, “You Can Draw” tutorial station, rotating Color Wheel, mini-Paramount stage with costumes, interactive Sound Sculpture, and our all-new Toddler Area.

Create Lab

The Create Lab offers families with children a separate space to get creative with hands-on art projects, problem-solving games, and puzzles. This area includes adjustable-height work tables and chairs, a variety of art supplies, and a selection of fun projects with step-by-step instructions. Enjoy the self-guided projects or come up with something unique on your own. Extend your museum visit by choosing a Take-n-Make activity bag to take home with you!

Visiting Spark

Admission to Spark is included with your general admission to The Grace Museum. Museum Members get in FREE year-round! Spark is located on the second floor and is open during regular Museum hours, Tuesday-Saturday 10am – 5pm, with extended hours on Thursday evenings until 8pm.

Hundreds of families and children visit Spark every week! To help keep this area clean for the public, our staff straightens up and disinfects high-touch surfaces multiple times each day.

PLEASE NOTE: On occasion, Spark may close early in order to accommodate for special Museum events. We do our best to post advance notice about any early closures on The Grace homepage.

Thank You

To the Generous Donors Who Have Made This Project Possible!

Dian Graves Owen Foundation
The Robison Excelsior Foundation
Barber Foundation, Callie and Lee Hampton
Union Pacific Foundation

Kay And David Alexander
Batjer And Associates, Inc, Julie And Mike Denny
Tommye Jo And Bob Clark (In Honor Of Karen Turner)
Whitney And Matthew Dane
Jean And Gary Goodnight, ENT Specialists Of Abilene, LLP
Goodnight Family Partnership, LP
Glynda Groves (In Honor Of Karen Turner)
Junior League Sustainers
Pat And Ralph McCleskey, Jr.
Ray Parker And Family (In Memory Of Carol Parker)
Charlotte And Harry Reaugh (In Honor Of Karen Turner)
Angie And Doug Robison
Sandi Saringer (In Honor Of Karen Turner)
Lynda And John R. Stearns, Jr. (In Honor Of Karen Turner)
Jen And Brett Taylor (In Memory Of Carol Parker)

T&T Family Foundation Donor Advised Fund at The Community Foundation Of Abilene

Open Road Grantmaking Fund at The Community Foundation Of Abilene

Bart & Jackie Cox Donor Advised Fund at The Community Foundation Of Abilene

Kaye Price-Hawkins And Joe Hawkins Donor Advised Fund at The Community Foundation Of Abilene

Weatherl Family Donor Advised Fund at The Community Foundation Of Abilene