The first museum dedicated to African American music has opened in Nashville, Tennessee.
National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) fittingly began to welcome its first guests on Martin Luther King Jr. Day as part of a grand (and of course social distanced) ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The epic 56,000 square feet museum is the only guest experience to pay tribute and celebrate more than 50 music genres which were incredibly created, influenced, and inspired by African Americans.
A vibrant theming is prominent throughout the galleries
From old school Blues, to timeless Gospel and contemporary R&B, NMAAM promises a spectacular experience for all ages and music tastes. The museum also pays tribute to many African American singers, songwriters, musicians and performers, ranging from superstar Beyonce to household name Ray Charles.
More than 1500 historical pieces, objects and clothing are on display throughout the seven exhibition galleries, which have been combined with cutting-edge technology to engage guests with the compelling stories which have shaped African American music into what we know today.
NMAAM has thanked internationally acclaimed technology specialist Xperi (TiVo) for providing ground-breaking interactive platforms throughout the galleries.
NMAAM celebrates centuries of African American music
The idea for the museum was birthed in 1994. Excitingly commenting ahead of the opening, H. Beecher Hicks III, President at NMAAM said: “We have been preparing for this day for more than 20 years, but this museum has actually been more than 400 years in the making.
“We look forward to welcoming music lovers from around the world to this magnificent cultural experience. We also want to thank the thousands of people who have supported us along the way, as we prepare to celebrate the history of African American music, which truly is the soundtrack of our nation.”
NMOAAM opened on January 18, in line with the latest Tennessee guidance amid the COVID 19 pandemic.
Elsewhere, major construction is now complete at the hotly-anticipated Universal Beijing Resort.
