Bradley Partners with Peoria Riverfront Museum

A new partnership between Bradley University and the Peoria Riverfront Museum is opening doors – literally and figuratively – for the campus community. Thanks to a generous donor, all Bradley students, faculty, and staff are now eligible for complimentary memberships to the museum, unlocking access to its full range of exhibitions, programs, and member perks.

This initiative, the first under newly appointed Bradley University President James Shadid, underscores the University’s deep commitment to strengthening its ties with the Greater Peoria community.

“We are proud to launch this partnership as a tangible reflection of Bradley’s role not only as a hub of academic excellence but as an engaged neighbor in Peoria,” said President Shadid. “The Peoria Riverfront Museum is one of our city’s greatest cultural treasures, and making it more accessible to our students, faculty, and staff enhances both learning and community connection. This is just the beginning of what I envision as a new era of collaboration between Bradley and our community partners.”

The complimentary membership includes all standard museum benefits, such as free admission to galleries and planetarium shows, discounts on programming and events, and reciprocal admission to hundreds of other museums nationwide through national networks.

John Morris, president and CEO of the Peoria Riverfront Museum, celebrated the partnership as a milestone in regional collaboration.

“Bradley University has long been a pillar of Peoria’s intellectual and civic life,” Morris said. “This partnership not only honors that legacy but builds upon it by connecting every member of the Bradley community to the inspiration, creativity, and discovery that live within our museum walls. We’re thrilled to welcome more Braves into the museum family.”

This effort is made possible by the generosity of a private donor who shares a passion for education, access, and cultural enrichment. The partnership reflects a shared mission between the museum and Bradley to foster lifelong learning and community engagement.