Music is a phenomenon that's captivated people for ages. The emotional, spiritual, and mental response music creates transcends time and space. The Experience Music Project in Seattle recognizes the captivating power of music, and has turned it into a world class, one of a kind visitor experience. The Experience Music Project (EMP) engages museum goers in interactive exhibits that communicate the intricacies, innovations, and evolution of American 'pop' music. Between the unique architecture designed by Frank O. Gehry, the cutting edge technology, and the interactive exhibits, this museum offers something for everyone from Rock n' Roll fans to Hip Hop heads.

Those who visit EMP can look forward to a high tech journey that celebrates many different genres of American Music. Expect to see exhibits on Jazz, Soul, Gospel, Punk Rock, and Hip Hop that tie each genre to the next creating a unique timeline exploring the evolution of pop music. You can listen to musicians tell their stories, play an instrument, and see 80,000 rare artifacts and memorabilia that include "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" â€" all of these things come together to create the multi sensory experience that EMP has become so well known for.

EMP is centered around six different core programs that work together to create one truly unique experience. Sky Church was originally envisioned by Jimi Hendrix as a place where all people could come together to enjoy music. EMP took this idea, creating a space that functions as a grand hall by day and a live performance theater by night. The space is defined by massively tall ceilings (almost 90 feet), state of the art lighting, and world-class acoustics. Crossroads is the central exhibit area where visitors can experience the history of American music through traditional artifacts blended with new media. Trace the evolution of instruments, genres, traditions, and ingenuity that makes up our musical past in a way that welcomes personal interaction. From there travel to the Sound Lab where visitors can actually play instruments, from there check out On Stage, where visitors can perform in front of a virtual audience. While you're there you should also see the EMP Digital Collection that let's user browse through details on tons of artifacts, artists, and musical styles. EMP also has a Performance Stage set in a 200-seat theater that accommodates events like guest lectures, master classes, and performing arts productions.

For a multi sensory musical experience, the Experience Music Project is where it's at. This museum has shown us how to create an innovative space that appeals to a number of audiences. EMP is using the universal appeal of music to facilitate an experience that lives in visitor's memories for years to come.