The university of montana spectrum discovery area will provide training for staff in exhibit interpretive design to institutionalize best practices across operations and interpretation

The Institute of Museum and Library Services awarded the University of Montana $500,000 under the Museums for America program (CFDA 45.301) on September 1, 2026, to strengthen exhibit interpretive design capacity at the University of Montana Spectrum Discovery Area.

The award funds staff training in exhibit interpretive design through quarterly training sessions and professional conference attendance to institutionalize best practices across museum operations and interpretation. The university will hire expert consultants to develop a museum-wide interpretive audit and plan for both exhibition development and updates, and will expand its capacity to create physical elements of interpretive exhibit design materials. These activities are intended to improve staff ability to provide engaging, research-informed science exhibitions for visitors.

The award covers the three-year period of performance from September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2029, with work performed in Missoula, Montana. The assistance type is a Project Grant.

Staff will participate in quarterly training sessions as well as in professional conferences to build expertise in exhibit interpretation. The project will support the hiring of expert consultants to develop a museum-wide interpretive audit and plan for both exhibition development and updates. The museum will also expand its capacity to create physical elements of interpretive exhibit design materials. As a result of the project, museum staff will improve their ability to provide engaging and research-informed science exhibitions for visitors.