Peoria Riverfront Museum
Peoria Riverfront Museum is a nonprofit, AAM-accredited, Smithsonian-affiliated multidisciplinary museum in Peoria, Illinois, serving Central Illinois families, K-12 students, and donors through permanent collections, rotating exhibitions, a dome planetarium, a giant screen theater, and the Every Student Initiative.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersPeoria, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Peoria Riverfront Museum does
Peoria Riverfront Museum is a private, AAM-accredited, Smithsonian-affiliated 501(c)(3) nonprofit museum that opened in October 2012, consolidating the 1965-founded Lakeview Museum of Arts and Sciences with the Peoria Historical Society, Illinois High School Association, African American Hall of Fame Museum, and Caterpillar Inc. into a single multidisciplinary institution spanning art, science, history, and achievement. Its core physical assets include a 40-foot Dome Planetarium described as the world's most advanced planetarium system with Laser Fantasy laser light shows, a 194-seat Giant Screen Theater upgraded in February 2024 with dual laser projectors and a 21-speaker sound system, and five major galleries (across 25 display spaces) housing a permanent collection of 15,000-18,000 objects. The museum has delivered more than one million cumulative experiences and self-curates or hosts 20+ exhibitions annually, including blockbuster partnerships with the American Museum of Natural History (T. rex, Sharks) and Art Bridges Foundation (Whitney Museum, American Folk Art Museum loans).
The institution generates revenue through a hybrid mix of one-time admission fees ($5-$18 per visitor), recurring memberships (5,000+ members, 570+ Visionary Society donors), corporate sponsorship tiers from $1,000 to $25,000 annually, special events, Giant Screen Theater ticket sales, and donations across multiple purpose-restricted funds (Every Student Initiative, Promise of Liberty for America 250, Bronzeville to Harlem, Peoria Falcon Circle legacy giving). Distribution combines on-site visitation at its LEED Gold-certified county-owned building at 222 SW Washington St, Peoria, Illinois, online ticketing via the Veevart platform, Apple/Google Wallet digital membership cards, and the Bloomberg Connects App. Its flagship educational program, the Every Student Initiative, has provided 50,000+ free curriculum-connected field-trip visits across 49 schools in 9 Central Illinois districts since 2017, funded by multi-year foundation grants and 200+ community partners.
Peoria Riverfront Museum firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Peoria Riverfront Museum
- Legal name
- Peoria Riverfront Museum
- Website
- https://peoriariverfrontmuseum.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Peoria Riverfront Museum is a nonprofit, AAM-accredited, Smithsonian-affiliated multidisciplinary museum in Peoria, Illinois, serving Central Illinois families, K-12 students, and donors through permanent collections, rotating exhibitions, a dome planetarium, a giant screen theater, and the Every Student Initiative.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Peoria Riverfront Museum industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Cultural Museum Services
- NAICS
- Museums (712110)
- SIC
- Services-Motion Picture Theaters (7830)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Museums & Heritage Sites (History, Science, Specialty) (BPAGAHAA)
Keywords
Where Peoria Riverfront Museum is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Peoria
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Peoria Riverfront Museum business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Admission Fees: Museum admission fees for general gallery access, with daily planetarium shows included with regular admission. Second Sundays are free through Art Bridges Foundation Access for All program.
- Memberships: Annual membership programs with tiers including Visionary Society, corporate memberships, and reciprocal benefits with 500-1800+ museums worldwide through ASTC and NARM programs.
- Donations and Fundraising: Various donation funds including General Donation, Every Student Initiative, Promise of Liberty for America 250, Bronzeville to Harlem Fund, and Peoria Falcon Circle legacy giving program.
- Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate membership and sponsorship programs at multiple levels (Curator $1,000, Director $2,500, President $5,000, Corporate Benefactor $10,000, Corporate Connoisseur $15,000, Corporate Patron $25,000) with benefits including guest passes, venue rentals, and exhibition recognition.
- Giant Screen Theater and Events: Revenue from film screenings, special events like 4th of July BBQ, laser light nights, and venue rentals.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | T. rex: The Ultimate Predator Exhibition Admission |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Giant Screen Theater Daily Documentaries |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Laser Light Night Events |
| Subscription | Annual | Corporate Membership Tiers |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | 4th of July BBQ Event |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Peoria Riverfront Museum product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Peoria Riverfront Museum operates a multidisciplinary museum combining art, science, history, and achievement in a single facility. Core offerings include a 40-foot Dome Planetarium with the world's most advanced planetarium system, a 194-seat Giant Screen Theater with dual laser projectors, rotating and permanent exhibitions across five major galleries managing 15,000-18,000 objects, and the Every Student Initiative providing free curriculum-connected museum visits for K-12 students across Central Illinois.
Product overview
Peoria Riverfront Museum is the only multidisciplinary museum of its kind in the nation, combining art, science, history, and achievement in a single institution. The museum operates as a unified platform with several interconnected services: core attractions include the 194-seat Giant Screen Theater (with dual laser projectors and 21-speaker sound), the Dome Planetarium (featuring the world's most advanced planetarium system with laser light shows), and rotating/permanent exhibitions across five major galleries managing 15,000-18,000 objects. Educational initiatives center on the Every Student Initiative (ESI) providing free curriculum-connected visits for Central Illinois students, complemented by field trips, outreach programs, and the Planet Passport series. Digital services include online ticketing via Veevart, digital membership cards (Apple/Google Wallet), and the Bloomberg Connects App. Membership programs range from basic tiers to the Visionary Society donor program, with reciprocal benefits through ASTC, NARM, and Time Travelers networks. The museum also offers special events, Laser Light Nights, Museum Conversations speaker series, and the gamified Achievement Passport engagement program. Since opening in 2012, the AAM-accredited, Smithsonian-affiliated museum has provided over one million experiences and organizes 20+ self-curated and visiting exhibitions annually, currently highlighted by the America 250 celebration leading into 2026.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Dome Planetarium 40-foot dome planetarium featuring the world's most advanced planetarium system. Offers daily shows, laser light nights, special events, and the Planet Passport series, including 3D laser light shows from Laser Fantasy.
- Giant Screen Theater 194-seat giant screen movie theater featuring immersive documentary films and 3D content with dual laser projectors and a 21-speaker upgraded sound system.
- Exhibitions and Permanent Collection Rotating and permanent exhibitions covering art, science, history, and achievement across five major galleries and twenty-five display spaces, encompassing 15,000-18,000 objects.
- Every Student Initiative (ESI) Educational program providing free curriculum-connected museum visits for K-12 students across Central Illinois, including ESI Student + Family Museum Fun Pass and complimentary memberships for sponsored educators.
- Laser Light Nights Evening laser light shows in the dome planetarium featuring music from various artists, powered by the Laser Fantasy system with 3D effects and a haze machine.
- Toytopia Exhibition Interactive exhibition featuring toys, hands-on activities, and nostalgic displays for visitors of all ages.
- America 250 Celebrating America's 250th Birthday Year-long series of exhibitions celebrating America's 250th birthday in 2026, including The Promise of Liberty (curated by Ken Burns), Joyful Resistance, and Peoria Plays America exhibitions highlighting the Midwest's role in American history.
- Sharks Exhibition Traveling exhibition featuring life-sized models, fossil replicas, and interactive experiences, organized by the American Museum of Natural History.
- T. rex: The Ultimate Predator Exhibition International debut traveling exhibition featuring feathered models, life-size tyrannosaur family, and interactive experiences.
- Classic Disney Exhibition Classic Disney-themed exhibition that opened at the museum in March 2025.
- DURYEA: America's First Car Company Exhibition Exhibition celebrating the history of America's first car company, featuring the Duryea Motor Trap from the museum's permanent collection.
- The Center for American Decoys Dedicated center featuring American decoy collections from the museum's permanent collection, accompanied by the related publication 'American Decoy | The Book'.
- Amethyst Gallery of Minerals Permanent gallery featuring a 10-foot-tall dark purple amethyst tower, one of the three largest such specimens on public display in the world.
- Bronzeville to Harlem | An American Story Exhibition Permanent exhibition by artist Preston Jackson exploring African American life and culture from Bronzeville to Harlem.
- Peoria Holocaust Memorial Exhibition Memorial exhibition dedicated to Holocaust remembrance, including Yom HaShoah events.
- Field Trips and Outreach Programs Curriculum-connected field trip programs and outreach initiatives for K-12 schools, including the ESI Student + Family Museum Fun Pass.
- Visionary Society Membership Premier donor membership program supporting exhibitions and the Every Student Initiative. Includes free admission, movie tickets, facility access, special events, and private tours.
- Corporate Memberships and Sponsorships Corporate membership and sponsorship programs at six tiers from Curator $1,000 to Corporate Patron $25,000, including guest passes, venue rentals, and exhibition recognition.
- Digital Membership Cards Digital membership cards downloadable to Apple Wallet and Google Wallet, providing reciprocal benefits through ASTC, NARM, and Time Travelers programs.
- Online Ticketing Online ticketing system powered by Veevart for purchasing admission, event tickets, films, planetarium shows, and memberships.
- Bloomberg Connects App Integration Digital platform through the Bloomberg Philanthropies Digital Accelerator program, expanding the museum's digital presence and accessibility via the Bloomberg Connects App.
- Museum Conversations Speaker Series Speaker series featuring conversations with authors, artists, and subject matter experts in the Giant Screen Theater.
- Planet Passport Series Monthly planetarium program where participants learn about planets and earn stamps in their passports; each show earns 25 points toward prizes.
- Community Solar System Scale model solar system spread across the region, with information about comets and celestial objects at various partner locations.
- Museum Store On-site museum gift shop offering books, toys, educational items, and museum-themed merchandise, with member discounts.
- Membership Swap Weekend Annual event where museum members enjoy free admission to Wildlife Prairie Park, Peoria PlayHouse Children's Museum, and Peoria Zoo.
Quantifiable outcome
- Provided more than 1 million experiences since opening in 2012
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Peoria Riverfront Museum
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Peoria Riverfront Museum technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration7 records
Feature1 record
Peoria Riverfront Museum partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Smithsonian InstitutioncoreMuseum is formally affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution through its affiliations program, providing access to resources, traveling exhibitions, and scholarly connections.
- Art Bridges FoundationcorePartnership with Alice Walton's Art Bridges Foundation for exhibition loans from major museums including Whitney Museum and American Folk Art Museum. Foundation supports Access for All free admission program and Art Bridges Fellow position.
- American Museum of Natural History (AMNH)coreExhibition partner hosting traveling exhibitions including T. rex: The Ultimate Predator (international debut) and Sharks from the American Museum of Natural History, New York.
- Lakeview Museum of Arts and SciencesmajorFounding partner. Founded in 1965, Lakeview Museum closed in 2012 to become part of Peoria Riverfront Museum, contributing collections and institutional expertise.
- Peoria Historical SocietymajorFounding partner incorporated in 1934, preserving unique history of Central Illinois River Valley.
- Illinois High School AssociationmajorFounding partner founded in 1900, administering interscholastic activities for 760 high schools.
- African American Hall of Fame MuseummajorFounding partner founded in 1987, maintaining collections and exhibitions of African American life and culture. Eric Heard serves as AAHFM-appointed representative on museum board.
- Caterpillar Inc.majorFounding partner and next-door neighbor. Caterpillar Visitors Center was built concurrently with museum. Corporate member and supporter of museum programs.
- The Nature ConservancyminorFounding partner, nonprofit devoted to protecting ecologically important lands and waters.
- CEFCUcorePresenting sponsor of Sharks exhibition and supporter of museum educational programming.
- Peoria CountymajorPublic partner; county-owned building houses the museum on campus overlooking Illinois River.
- City of PeoriamajorPublic partner providing municipal support and collaboration for museum operations.
- State of IllinoismajorPublic partner providing state-level support and collaboration.
- Peoria ZoominorPartner in Membership Swap Weekend providing reciprocal free admission to Wildlife Prairie Park, Peoria PlayHouse Children's Museum, and Peoria Zoo.
- Peoria PlayHouse Children's MuseumminorPartner in Membership Swap Weekend providing reciprocal free admission.
- Wildlife Prairie ParkminorPartner in Membership Swap Weekend providing reciprocal free admission.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Peoria Riverfront Museum competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Cincinnati Museum Center: Multidisciplinary institution housed in a Union Terminal landmark combining Cincinnati History Museum, Museum of Natural History & Science, and Children's Museum — directly comparable in mission and Midwest regional positioning to Peoria Riverfront Museum.
- Discovery Museum (Bridgeport, CT): Connecticut science center with planetarium and traveling exhibitions; comparable size and operating model to a regional multidisciplinary science museum with educational programming.
- COSI (Center of Science and Industry): Columbus, Ohio science center combining interactive science exhibits, planetarium, and traveling blockbuster exhibitions (partnered with AMNH); comparable Midwest peer with similar science-plus-education model.
- Museum of Science, Boston: Major science museum combining interactive exhibits, IMAX theater, and planetarium with strong educational programming and Smithsonian-style institutional branding; comparable multidisciplinary science-focused mission and visitor scale.
- Carnegie Science Center: Pittsburgh-based science center with planetarium (Buhl Planetarium), giant screen theater, and traveling exhibitions; directly comparable scale and mix of attractions to Peoria's dome planetarium + giant screen + gallery model.
- Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago: Largest science museum in the Western Hemisphere and a fellow Illinois multidisciplinary institution; directly comparable as a single-building museum combining interactive science exhibits, special exhibitions, and educational programming for regional and tourist audiences.
- Indiana State Museum: Indianapolis museum combining history, science, art, and culture in a single riverfront building — one of the closest direct analogues in combining multiple disciplines under one roof with a similar regional mission.
- Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI): Pacific Northwest science museum featuring planetarium, giant screen theater, and traveling exhibitions including AMNH-originated shows; closely comparable operating model combining science exhibitions, dome theater, and educational programming.
Broad incumbents
- Adler Planetarium: Chicago-based dedicated planetarium; comparable on the planetarium side (similar dome technology tier) but a single-discipline incumbent rather than multidisciplinary — a partial peer for the planetarium segment only.
Regional players
- Peoria Zoo: Regional peer and formal Membership Swap Weekend partner in the same Peoria market; relevant for shared audience and local family-entertainment competition, but operates a different category (living collections vs. exhibitions).
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Peoria Riverfront Museum social profiles
Digital presencePeoria Riverfront Museum compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Peoria Riverfront Museum financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Peoria Riverfront Museum leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
Peoria Riverfront Museum funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Peoria Riverfront Museum M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Peoria Riverfront Museum
What does Peoria Riverfront Museum do?
Peoria Riverfront Museum operates a multidisciplinary museum combining art, science, history, and achievement in a single facility. Core offerings include a 40-foot Dome Planetarium with the world's most advanced planetarium system, a 194-seat Giant Screen Theater with dual laser projectors, rotating and permanent exhibitions across five major galleries managing 15,000-18,000 objects, and the Every Student Initiative providing free curriculum-connected museum visits for K-12 students across Central Illinois.
Is Peoria Riverfront Museum a public or private company?
Peoria Riverfront Museum is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Peoria Riverfront Museum founded?
Peoria Riverfront Museum was founded in 2012. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Peoria Riverfront Museum based?
Peoria Riverfront Museum is headquartered in Peoria, United States, in the North America region.
How does Peoria Riverfront Museum make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Admission Fees are the primary driver. The others are memberships, donations and Fundraising, corporate Sponsorships and giant Screen Theater and Events.
Who are Peoria Riverfront Museum's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Cincinnati Museum Center, Discovery Museum (Bridgeport, CT), COSI (Center of Science and Industry), Museum of Science, Boston, Carnegie Science Center, Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago, Indiana State Museum and Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI). Adler Planetarium is listed as a broad incumbent. Peoria Zoo is listed as a regional player.
Does Peoria Riverfront Museum have an API?
No public API is recorded for Peoria Riverfront Museum.
What industry is Peoria Riverfront Museum in?
Peoria Riverfront Museum's product category is Cultural Museum Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAHAA, Museums & Heritage Sites (History, Science, Specialty). Its NAICS code is 712110 and its SIC code is 7830.