The lease document solidifies the agreement between the museum and the city of Nashville for NMAAM to occupy the 56,000-square-foot space within the Fifth + Broadway development. Now that the lease has been signed, the exhibit build-out can begin with the expectation of opening in the summer of 2020.
“I’d like to thank Mayor Briley for his continued support of the museum throughout the fundraising and construction process,” Hicks said. “This is an important moment for our museum and this city, when we take the next step in fulfilling a musical legacy that began centuries ago. Today marks the day the long-held dream of NMAAM begins to become a reality, and now we can begin to build what will be a jewel in the crown for Music City. The work starts today.”
“With this lease, Nashville demonstrates its commitment to this museum and lets the world know that, when we say ‘Music City,’ we mean all kinds of music,” Briley said. “NMAAM will be an incredible attraction and will tell the important story of African American music in our city and beyond. This is the culmination of years of organization, hard work and planning from city and business leaders alike. I’m honored to have played a role in helping make this a reality for our city, and I can’t wait for all Nashvillians to experience it.”
The National Museum of African American Music, set to open in the summer of 2020, will be the only museum dedicated solely to preserving African American music traditions and celebrating the influence African Americans have had on music. Based in Nashville, the museum will share the story of the American soundtrack by integrating history and interactive technology to bring musical heroes of the past into the present.
