Project Overview 

The John Wesley Powell River History Museum invites statements of qualifications from individual consultants, consultant-led teams, and firms with demonstrated experience in museum master planning, exhibit development, interpretive planning, and visitor experience design. The selected consultant will work collaboratively with the Museum to develop a comprehensive Exhibit Master Plan and Interpretive Plan.

Each submission must identify one lead consultant who will serve as the Museum’s primary point of contact and, when applicable, coordinate the work of the proposed team or firm.

Located along the Green River in Utah’s canyon country, the Museum interprets the history, culture, science, and landscapes of the Colorado Plateau and its rivers. Much of the permanent exhibit infrastructure is more than three decades old. Since it was installed, scholarship, interpretive practices, visitor expectations, and understanding of the Colorado River Basin have evolved significantly.

The Museum is seeking a collaborative planning partner to chart the next generation of exhibits, interpretation, and visitor experiences. The selected consultant will work closely with Museum leadership, staff, Board members, community stakeholders, and other advisors to develop a long-term vision and implementation roadmap.

Museum Context 

The Museum occupies approximately one acre of riverfront property in Green River, Utah, and includes more than 12,000 square feet of exhibit space.

• Serves local residents, school groups, regional visitors, and travelers exploring the Colorado Plateau.
• Interprets the history, science, culture, recreation, stewardship, and future of the Colorado River Basin and the Colorado Plateau.

Project Vision and Anticipated Outcomes

The Museum seeks a practical roadmap for transforming the visitor experience. The project should help visitors understand the rivers, landscapes, cultures, and stories that shape the Colorado Plateau and the Colorado River Basin; create meaningful connections among the region’s past, present, and future; and foster greater understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing the Colorado Plateau watershed.

The selected consultant will work with the Museum to develop:

• An assessment of the existing permanent exhibits, interpretive content, visitor flow, and overall visitor experience.
• An interpretive framework identifying primary audiences, themes, key messages, storylines, and educational objectives.
• A comprehensive Interpretive Plan that establishes a cohesive framework for future exhibits, programs, and visitor experiences.
• A comprehensive Exhibit Master Plan with prioritized recommendations for exhibit renewal, spatial organization, visitor flow, accessibility, and future exhibit development.
• A phased roadmap identifying implementation priorities, sequencing, and planning-level costs.

Together, these products should incorporate current scholarship, diverse perspectives, accessibility, inclusive design, and best practices in museum and informal learning. The final scope of work, schedule, engagement process, and deliverable format will be negotiated with the selected consultant.

Budget

The Museum anticipates a professional services contract of $50,000-$75,000 for completion of the Exhibit Master Plan and Interpretive Plan described above. The final scope and fee will be negotiated with the selected consultant.

Desired Qualifications

The Museum seeks demonstrated experience in:

• Museum master planning, interpretive planning, exhibit development, and visitor experience design.
• Stakeholder engagement, facilitation, and collaborative planning processes.
• Cultural, historical, scientific, environmental, or place-based interpretation.
• Interpreting Colorado Plateau river history, science, culture, or water issues for public audiences.
• Accessibility and inclusive exhibit design.
• Collaboration with museums, visitor centers, nonprofit organizations, public agencies, and cultural institutions.

Experience working in rural communities, public history settings, or projects related to Western landscapes, rivers, natural resources, environmental interpretation, or Indigenous histories is desirable.

Submission Requirements

Submit the following materials as a single PDF by email no later than 5:00 p.m. Mountain Time on September 8, 2026, to Janet Smoak, Executive Director, at jwpdirector@gmail.com. Use the subject line: RFQ – Exhibit and Interpretive Planning.

• Letter of interest describing the respondent’s understanding of the Museum and interest in the project.
• Statement of qualifications, including relevant experience and the proposed individual, team, or firm. Identify the lead consultant and the role of each team member, if applicable.
• Three examples of comparable projects, including the respondent’s role, project scope, completion date, and client contact.
• General availability and capacity to begin work in October 2026.
• Three professional references, including name, organization, email address, telephone number, and relationship to the respondent.

A detailed work plan and fee proposal are not requested at this stage. The Museum will negotiate the final scope, schedule, and fee with the selected consultant.

Selection Criteria

Submissions will be evaluated based on:

• Relevant qualifications and experience in museum master planning, exhibit development, interpretive planning, and visitor experience design.
• Quality and relevance of previous work.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate stakeholder engagement and collaborative planning.
• Understanding of the Museum’s mission, context, and project goals.
• Qualifications of the proposed lead consultant and, if applicable, the proposed team or firm, as well as capacity to successfully complete the project.

Schedule

All submissions received by the deadline will be reviewed after the submission period closes. Selected respondents will be interviewed by Friday, September 25, 2026. The Museum anticipates selecting a consultant in late September and negotiating the scope of work and fee in late September or early October, with work beginning in October 2026.

RFQ issued: August 5, 2026

Responses due: September 8, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Mountain Time

Interviews and consultant selection: September 2026

Project initiation: October 2026

The Museum reserves the right to reject any or all submissions, request additional information, negotiate scope and fees, and select the consultant deemed most qualified for the project.

Contact Information

Questions concerning this RFQ may be directed to:

Janet Smoak, Executive Director

John Wesley Powell River History Museum
P.O. Box 387
Green River, Utah 84525
jwpdirector@gmail.com

(435) 564-3427