Shaping the experience in Experience Music Project: Striking a balance between entertaining and educating in a popular music museum

Abstract

After eight years of planning, the Experience Music Project opened in Seattle on June 23, 2000. The institution’s press materials state that: 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. Does the experience live up to the hype? EMP’s opening exhibitions, activities, and public programs are described, public and critical reception is reviewed, and lessons learned in the first months of operation are shared. The presentation will focus on multimedia exhibit components and interactive exhibits, with special emphasis on the design, development, and objectives of the Sound Lab area, EMP’s hands-on activity and learning center.