Seattle's Experience Music Project celebrates and explores creativity and innovation as expressed through American popular music and rock 'n roll. An amazing journey through 20th century music, visitors of all ages will be mesmerized by the experience. Never has learning about history or music been so much fun.

EMP is an interactive music museum combining hands-on experiences with interpretive exhibits which weave the story of the creative process in American popular music. State-of-the-art technology is combined with an amazing collection of artifacts, a dynamic ride-like experience and multimedia presentations, all housed in an unique building designed by Frank O. Gehry.

The concept for EMP was created by Paul G. Allen and Jody Allen Patton. Paul Allen's early passion for Jimi Hendrix led to his accumulation of the world's largest collection of Hendrix memorabilia and the desire to share that collection with the public. Early planning led to a extended cultural mission for Paul and Jody to create a destination celebrating musical innovation and inspiring the young and old to feel moved by the music.

The collection at EMP includes nearly 80,000 artifacts which shaped music history, from the first electric guitars, to Elvis' leather jacket and beyond. The major program components of EMP are represented by nine icons - a series of interconnected components that complement each other to create a diverse and meaningful user experience.

Sky Church

Jimi Hendrix talked about Sky Church, a place where all people of all ages can come together to celebrate and appreciate music. Sky Church at the Experience Music Project brings the Hendrix dream into reality.

Custom-made Dandie Fashions jacket, late 1967.
Formerly owned by Jimi Hendrix.

A grand hall by day, a live performance and event venue by night, Sky Church is the gathering place where all people are able to share the cultural and musical experience.

An immense video wall is enhanced by state-of-the-art acoustics while glowing time capsules filled with objects donated from bands featured at EMP are sunken into the translucent flooring.

Fender Stratocaster, electric guitar fragments.
Smashed by Jimi Hendrix at the Saville Theatre, London, June 4, 1967.

Crossroads

Motorcycle jacket, early 1960s.
Formerly owned by Elvis Presley

Crossroads is the main exhibit area in EMP. Integrating rare artifacts with imagery and multimedia Crossroads tells the story of a century of American popular music.

The four exhibits within Crossroads pay tribute to Northwest artists and musicians from across the United States. Musical revolution from jazz to blues to the birth of rock 'n roll and hip-hop are featured.

Bell-bottom trousers, circa 1970.
Formerly owned by Janis Joplin

Crossroads is an experience of the diverse expressions of musical ingenuity, revealing how new forms emerge from existing traditions. It is at the Crossroads where you will enjoy artifacts in the form of musical instruments, clothing, photographs, hand-written song sheets and much more.

It is overwhelming, there is just so much to see and absorb throughout your visit. As you walk through the exhibits, use the Museum Exhibit Guide (MEG) to bookmark your favorite artifacts. The MEG is a high tech computerized device worn throughout your visit. Through pointing and clicking at "guitar pick" icons throughout the museum you can learn more about what you are seeing. You will also be able to save your bookmarks, for easy access and retrieval at home via the EMP website.

Sound Lab

This futuristic studio enables visitors to interact with music through playing with guitars, drums or keyboards.

Never played a musical instrument? Even if you have never touched an instrument before, you can learn the basic skills or work on improving existing skills. Once you have explored your hidden talents you are able to perform "on stage" to a virtual concert audience or experience the art of listening by tuning into the sounds created by other visitors as they explore the unique interactive instruments.

If you've ever dreamed of being a rock star, Sound Lab is your opportunity to rock 'n roll!

Artist's Journey

Artist's Journey was my favorite experience at EMP. Combining special effects, theatrical lighting, film, audio, video, computer graphics and a state-of-the-art motion platform technology visitors are transported into the world of rock 'n' roll.

It's a full sensory experience not to be missed. Funk Blast is the first of a series, I just can't wait to experience what comes next!

Funk Blast enables you to feel the genius of James Brown, right down to the aroma of his cologne! This is an whole new way to experience music and its history.

Compaq Digital Lab

The Compaq Digital Lab is a repository of information, images, audio and video available on workstations in Digital Lab at EMP and online at www.emplive.com.

Visitors are able to browse and explore details of the thousands of artifacts, discover connections between related objects, artists, topics and musical styles.

The Digital Lab will continue to be updated and expanded over time.

Are you ready to become creative?

Opening Day Photos