- The Motown Museum recently announced a $1 million grant from Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) to further its innovative programming and expansion campaign. These are the details.
The Motown Museum recently announced a $1 million grant from Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) to further its innovative programming and expansion campaign. The $1 million grant from Bank of America — which will help strengthen the surrounding neighborhood and deliver life-changing programming — is the most recent contribution to Motown Museum’s expansion initiative. And this award brings the museum’s total amount raised for the expansion to $38 million of the $55 million expansion campaign.
The first phase, known as Hitsville Next, features 3 original Motown-era homes that have been transformed to serve as the centerpiece of the museum’s expansive suite of educational and creative programming. And as home to the museum’s mix of camps, workshops, masterclasses, and community events, Hitsville Next is designed to provide artistic development and inspiration for future generations of creatives and entrepreneurs.
Construction on phase 2 of the expansion is already underway, including work on what will become an immersive outdoor plaza that will serve as a multipurpose community gathering place and welcome destination for museum visitors. And the plaza will be regularly activated with memorable performances by local talent and will afford unique visibility opportunities for emerging artists and entrepreneurs. Due to the phase 2 construction, indoor tours of Hitsville U.S.A. are temporarily paused, while restoration of the world-famous historic building begins. Construction is projected to be completed by Summer 2022.
As a longtime partner of the Motown Museum, Bank of America recognizes the power of the arts to help economies thrive, connect individuals with each other across cultures, and educate and enrich societies. And Bank of America is committed to providing arts and cultural organizations with vital support across the State of Michigan and around the world. The partnerships include exhibition sponsorships, as well as support for programs that help arts nonprofits deliver arts outreach and educational programs to ever-broader audiences, celebrate diverse cultural traditions, and protect cultural heritage. Last year, Bank of America distributed over $6 million in grants to Southeast Michigan organizations that create pathways to employment, provide job training, support food access, and distribution.
Announced in late 2016, the Motown Museum expansion will grow the museum to a 50,000-square-foot world-class entertainment and education tourist destination featuring dynamic, interactive exhibits, a performance theater, recording studios, an expanded retail experience, and meeting spaces designed by renowned architects and exhibit designers. And when completed, the new museum campus will have a transformative impact on the surrounding Detroit neighborhoods, providing employment, sustainability, and community pride by serving as an important catalyst for new investment and tourism in the historic area.
KEY QUOTES:
“We are incredibly grateful to Bank of America and can’t thank them enough for their partnership, which is impactful as we prepare for our expansion and tell the stories of the incredible Motown legacy on a larger scale. Their commitment to supporting culture and taking meaningful action to build thriving communities is admirable and reflective in this generous gift.”
— Motown Museum Chairwoman and CEO Robin Terry
“A vibrant community is fueled by its artistic and cultural centers, and in Detroit, there’s no better example than the Motown Museum. Detroiters and visitors from around the world will now enjoy new and inspiring experiences at the museum, made possible in part through financial support from Bank of America. This not only celebrates the Motown legacy, but will also spur new investment and tourism, aligning with our pledge to support initiatives that help create economic mobility.”
— Matt Elliott, President, Bank of America Michigan
