Expert Paul Spana

Director of Exhibits, Space Center Houston
Manned Space Flight Education Foundation

Paul Spana has more than 30 years of museum experience and has managed the development of the multi-exhibit complex Independence Plaza, the biggest project of the nonprofit Space Center Houston since opening in 1992.

Spana develops concepts and designs to create compelling in-house produced exhibitions for the science and space learning center, Space Center Houston. He is responsible for the museum’s extensive collection of space artifacts and numerous permanent and traveling hands-on exhibits telling the exciting future and remarkable past of America’s human spaceflight program.

He coordinates all aspects of the exhibit development process from concept through installation. He works with outside design professionals on large-scale permanent installations, researches traveling exhibits and maintains a schedule of rotating temporary exhibits from museum institutions across the United States. He is responsible for maintaining the proper care and record keeping of artifacts which are on loan from NASA, The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and other institutions.

Prior to working at the nonprofit, he served as the director of exhibits for The Children’s Museum of Houston. He earned a Master of Architecture from the University of Houston and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas.

Other professional activities include serving as the Steering Committee and Logistics Chair for the Houston Art Car Parade rated one of the top ten best parades in the United States. Spana also serves as a commissioner with the Fort Bend County Historical Commission and as an archeological steward with the Texas Historical Commission.