Nashville is one of the main music hubs of the U.S.A, contributing more than $9 billion every year. This makes it the perfect location to celebrate the diversity of music with the public. 

The National Museum of African American Music is one of the highlights of the city. It is full of immersive exhibits to entertain and inform, giving a great taste for music and culture. The museum invites you behind the scenes of the most influential music genres. Incorporating impressive technologies, the museum was brought to life by 1220 Exhibits and creates a lasting impression for visitors. 

The Museum

The National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) is an amazing attraction about musical history. From a proposal in 2002 to breaking ground in 2017, and completion in 2021 the museum has been in progress for almost 20 years and had over a $60 million budget.

The museum is over 55,000 square feet, housing many galleries and exhibits. These exhibits are designed to educate and preserve musical history. They feature over 50 different genres of music inspired by African American culture. 

There are six main galleries, displaying different items of memorabilia, artifacts, and clothing. There are films, interactive displays, and audio areas to experience different sounds. Sound is a powerful learning tool that can help us remember and process information better.

Different Exhibitions 

The first area that guests encounter is the Roots Theater. It offers a historical insight into the roots of much of African American music. It also works as a great space to host performances, lectures, and other movie screenings. 

Then you move to the Rivers of Rhythm exhibition. This is an interactive timeline of musical history. It is complete with touch panels and soundscapes to enjoy.

Then there is the Wade in the Water exhibit, about religious influences on music.  Explore the “Golden Age of Gospel” by looking at important sheet music from the 1940s to 1960s.

Dedicated to the blues, “Crossroads” explores the genre’s deep roots in African American culture. There are many instruments and memorabilia on display, to bring the story of the blues to life. 

“A Love Supreme” is about the evolution of traditional indigenous music into jazz. Visitors learn about all the variations of jazz, and how it swept over the nation. There is a collection of important artifacts from key players in the jazz scene since the 1900s. 

“One Nation Under a Groove” is a gallery dedicated to highlighting the emergence of R&B after world war II. It looks at the rise of music television and key celebrities on the international stage. Guests can see items belonging to iconic stars of the time such as Whitney Houston and Prince. 

The final gallery “The Message” is about how Hip Hop broke onto the music scene. Rap and Hip Hop have both been major players in modern music, due to their evocative messages. They have been pivotal in influencing pop culture and empowering minority groups. 

Audiovisual Atmosphere

Using modern technology in museum exhibitions is vital to engage your audience. This can come in a lot of different forms, from animatronics to multi-media galleries.

The audiovisual technology makes visitors feel connected to the legends in the exhibitions. The Wade in the Water exhibit, for example gives a very personal experience. Visitors can record themselves singing with a gospel choir! 

These more personal experiences elevate the museum experience from the norm. This creates lasting memories, as they stimulate many different senses throughout the exhibits. 

Interactivity allows guests to immerse themselves in the message the gallery is delivering. The NMAAM strives to highlight that much of modern music has roots in African American music. They provide the musical foundation for so much of what we listen to today.

The museum shows how this music has influenced not only music in the United States but worldwide. Messages of oppression rooted in slavery have touched millions across the globe.

The Role of 1220 Exhibits

1220 Exhibits played an instrumental role in pulling together the NMAAM. We brought all the galleries to life using diverse skill sets and technology.

First, we worked on design fabrication. This is the job of combining the physical display elements with technology. We worked on the installations, ensuring all the lighting and colors worked together.

We also designed the graphics with vivid and evocative images to tell a story. This pulls all the galleries together and makes them flow seamlessly. 

The most important element of this museum is of course, the music. 1220 Exhibits used high-quality musical technology to deliver an immersive experience for all. Experiencing the sounds and seeing musical development is one of the museum’s triumphs.

Visit The National Museum of African American Music

There is so much great information at The National Museum of African American Music. The immersive and interactive exhibits make it great for visitors of all ages. 

The execution and curation of the museum are impeccable. The museum transports you through years of musical history in a fun and interactive way. The audiovisual elements transport visitors into the fascinating world of African American music. 

1220 Exhibits is a team of experts with over 50 years of experience. As a family-founded and owned business, there is a focus on excellent customer service. 1220 Exhibits cover all elements of museum curation, from graphics to project management. 

If you’re interested in learning more then check out our website for more information!