Explore Washington: Experience Music Project

Experience Music Project (EMP) provides dynamic, multifaceted, ever-changing experiences through new and exciting explorations of American popular music, which both entertain and engage visitors in the creative process.

EMP is a one-of-a-kind music museum combining interactive and interpretive exhibits to tell the story of the creative, innovative and rebellious expression that defines American popular music. Featuring a world-class collection of artifacts, unique architecture by Frank O. Gehry, state-of-the-art technology, and exciting interactive presentations, EMP will encourage visitors of all ages and backgrounds to experience the power and joy of music in its many forms.

Visitors to EMP will take an unprecedented and technologically advanced journey that will inspire them to explore and celebrate music as never before. EMP is dedicated to capturing and reflecting the essence of rock 'n' roll, from its roots in jazz, soul, gospel, country and the blues, to its influence on hip hop, punk and other more recent genres. EMP invites visitors to participate in a total sensory experience: see rare artifacts and memorabilia, hear musicians tell their stories, or play an instrument and create your own music. Learning about music has never been so much fun.

EMP was conceived by Paul G. Allen and Jody Patton. Paul Allen's early passion for Jimi Hendrix led to his amassing of the world's largest collection of Hendrix memorabilia, and later, his desire to share that collection with the public. Early planning soon gave way to a broader cultural mission for both Paul and Jody — to create a destination for celebrating musical innovation and for inspiring young and old to feel moved by music - and so Experience Music Project was born.

EMP's collection includes more than 80,000 artifacts that helped shape music history, including musical instruments (from one of the first electric guitars to those used by artists such as Bob Dylan, Bo Diddley, Muddy Waters and Kurt Cobain), an extensive recorded sound archive, film, photographs, fanzines from around the world, stage costumes, handwritten song lyrics and rare song sheets.

Experience Music Project
325 5th Ave. N.
Seattle, WA 98109
1.877.EMPLIVE
http://www.emplive.org/