National Museum of African American Music

Interactive museum dedicated to preserving and celebrating African American music

Client

African American History Foundation of Nashville (AAHFN)

Value

$24M

Role

Construction Manager

Location

Nashville, Tennessee

Partners

ETMC
ICF Builders
Pillars Development
Harold Thompson Architects
Donna Gilliam Interiors
Moody Nolan

This 56,000 SF tenant build-out of a newly developed museum space is located at Fifth+Broadway Development in downtown Nashville. The National Museum of African American Museum occupies 55,400 SF, of which 18,900 SF, is dedicated to its permanent exhibit collection and 5,000 SF hosts space for temporary and rotating exhibits. The museum is home to traveling exhibits and five permanent galleries that trace the history of African American music from the 1800s to the present day. The museum space also includes a 200-seat theater with feature film, an administration/ticketing area, gift shop and coffee bar, multi-purpose/research area and back of house area with storage and offices.

Museum visitors will experience the Rivers of Rhythm Pathway where they will journey from the beginnings of American music with Southern religious and blues traditions to the most impactful hip-hop and rhythm & blues. The museum showcases how many of today’s most renowned artists are connected to the traditions born out of the African American experience, with captivating scenes and quotes from the last century.

 

Megen Construction served as construction manager, as part of the Euphony Four JV, a partnership of four minority-owned firms who were responsible for preconstruction and construction services, as well as coordination of media and exhibits. Megen managed the preconstruction effort, and led project management and quality control during the construction phase. Opening in January 2021, the National Museum of African American Music is the only museum in the world dedicated solely to preserving African American music traditions, and celebrating the central role African Americans have played in shaping American music.

56,000

Square Feet

40%

Project Diversity

Led project management and coordinated interactive media and exhibits