Diane LaFollette will retire as CEO of Mid-America Science Museum after 13 years leading the institution, effective Oct. 2.
The museum’s board of directors will begin a formal search for her successor.
LaFollette joined Mid-America Science Museum in 2013 and oversaw a period of expansion and growth for the museum, including a renovation and expansion project that resulted in the creation of the Hall of Wonder, the opening of the museum’s downtown satellite attraction Mystic Ozark in 2025, and the museum’s recent accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) for the first time in its 47-year history.
AAM accreditation is the highest national recognition available to museums in the United States and places Mid-America Science Museum among approximately 1,100 accredited museums nationwide.
“In many ways, earning accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums felt like the culmination of the work we have done together over the last 13 years,” LaFollette said. “It affirmed the strength of the museum and the dedication of the people behind it, and it also felt like the right moment to pass the torch to new leadership. I am deeply grateful to our staff, our board of directors, and the people of Hot Springs for their support of both me and the museum throughout my time here.”
With LaFollette, the museum also received the National Medal for Museum and Library Service from the Institute of Museum and Library Services in 2016, becoming the only museum in Arkansas to receive the honor. During LaFollette’s tenure, the museum saw increases in attendance, earned revenue, and contributed revenue, all while expanding educational programming and STEM outreach across the region.
Suzanne Steed, chair of the Mid-America Science Museum Board of Directors, said LaFollette’s leadership helped position the museum for long-term success.
“Diane has led Mid-America Science Museum through a transformative period in its history,” Steed said. “Her commitment to science education, community engagement, and the long-term sustainability of the museum has had a lasting impact on this institution and the region it serves. On behalf of the board, I want to thank her for her leadership and dedication over the last 13 years.”
Located in Hot Springs, Mid-America Science Museum features more than 100 interactive exhibits, educational programming and a Digital Dome Theater. The museum serves students, families and visitors from across Arkansas and surrounding states.
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