National Museum of African American Music facts for kids
| Established | 2019 |
|---|---|
| Location | Fifth + Broadway, Nashville, Tennessee |
The National Museum of African American Music (often called NMAAM) is a cool museum in Nashville, Tennessee. It celebrates all kinds of music that African Americans have inspired, created, or influenced. You can find it at Fifth + Broadway in Downtown Nashville.
What You'll Find at NMAAM
NMAAM has five main galleries, each with a different theme. It also has a theater with 200 seats. You can also see special exhibits that travel to the museum. Dr. Dina Bennett became the museum's first curator in May 2018.
The museum shows off over 50 types of music! This includes everything from early American religious music to modern hip-hop and Rhythm and Blues. All these music styles were inspired or created by African American culture.
The museum plans to have about 1,400 items in its collection. These items include clothes worn by famous artists like Nat King Cole, Dorothy Dandridge, Whitney Houston, and Lisa Lopes. The first special traveling exhibit is expected to be about the amazing Fisk Jubilee Singers.
The Story of NMAAM
The idea for this museum started in 2002. Members of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce wanted to save and celebrate African American music, art, and culture. A group worked for ten years to figure out how to make it happen. They decided to focus only on music.
NMAAM's main goal is to protect African American music traditions. It also celebrates the huge part African Americans have played in shaping all American music.
In February 2019, the museum got a lot of support. The Regions Foundation gave $500,000, and the Mike Curb Foundation also gave $500,000. In 2015, the city of Nashville announced that NMAAM would be built at the old convention center spot.
When NMAAM Opened
Construction for the National Museum of African American Music started in April 2017. The museum officially opened its doors on January 18, 2021.
