The Commission for the Las Vegas Centennial voted Nov. 24 to award $226,600 to the Nevada Test Site Historical Foundation (doing business as the Atomic Museum) to create a permanent exhibit titled Atomic City that would emphasize Las Vegas’s role during the atomic-test era and strengthen educational programming.

Terry Care, a board member, introduced the proposal and turned the presentation over to Matt Malinowski, the museum’s director of education. Malinowski described plans to revitalize the museum’s main entrance gallery, incorporate period-inspired visuals and first-hand accounts, expand youth programming and internships, and position Las Vegas as a central character in the museum narrative. “We are seeking $226,000 for the deployment of the Atomic City project,” Malinowski told the commission, noting educational outreach and internship opportunities.

Commissioners pressed staff and museum representatives about salary line items in the budget and whether a permanent exhibit outside city limits is eligible for Centennial funds. Mayor Seth Floyd (speaking for staff) clarified that Exhibit A of the grant agreement lists those salary expenses as project costs associated with this exhibit and that such costs are allowable under the commission’s grant rules. Commissioner Louise Helton said she preferred not to fund administrative salary costs but accepted staff’s clarification that the line items were project-related.

After discussion, the commission moved and approved the grant. Staff said the museum expects a roughly five-year installation window for the exhibit and plans internships and curriculum tie-ins for local teachers. The museum also emphasized sourcing archival materials and partnering with national archives where possible.

Next steps: staff will finalize the grant agreement and the commission president is authorized to execute it as approved by the city attorney.