The Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) in Seattle is seeking national designation through a bill introduced in Congress that would honor the institution as a place of great importance in the U.S. Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal is championing the legislation, which would recognize MoPOP as the National Museum of Pop Culture. If passed into law, this designation would be honorific and reflect the museum’s dedication to preserving and celebrating popular culture in all its forms.
Established in 2000 as the Experience Music Project by Paul Allen, MoPOP is a nonprofit organization located near the base of the Space Needle at Seattle Center. The museum is dedicated to the curation and exploration of pop culture and its impact on society. The colorful and curvy design of the 140,000-square-foot building by architect Frank Gehry was initially launched as an homage to Jimi Hendrix and rock ‘n’ roll, but has since expanded its focus to include a broader platform of science fiction and pop culture. The Allen estate donated thousands of artifacts to the museum in 2023, including items related to music, film, television, instruments, props, costumes, scripts, posters, and illustrations.
Jody Allen, the founding director of MoPOP, expressed gratitude for the possibility of federal recognition through the National Designation bill, acknowledging the museum’s commitment to inspiring current and future generations through the power of creative expression. CEO, Michele Smith, who took over in March 2023, believes that achieving the status of the National Museum of Pop Culture will further amplify the institution’s mission to inspire, educate, and engage audiences worldwide. The museum’s overall attendance in 2023 was reported to be 577,721 visitors.
A museum can receive the congressional designation in several ways, according to the Congressional Research Service, and most national museums are privately funded and operated without direct government involvement. The National Nordic Museum, located in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood, received congressional designation in March 2019. The Museum of Pop Culture’s transition to becoming the National Museum of Pop Culture reflects its significant impact on the national and global cultural landscape since its founding.
The National Museum of Pop Culture bill was introduced at MoPOP in Seattle by Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal in partnership with MoPOP CEO Michele Smith and Board President Shaunta Hyde. The bill seeks to honor the museum’s dedication to preserving and celebrating popular culture, highlighting its profound impact on society. The National Museum of Pop Culture is positioned to join other prestigious institutions in the nation that have received similar designation through congressional recognition, further solidifying its status as a major cultural and educational hub in the U.S.
The museum’s evolution from its inception as the Experience Music Project to its current status as MoPOP reflects a broadening of its scope to include various aspects of pop culture beyond just music. With the generous donation of artifacts from the Allen estate in 2023, MoPOP has expanded its collection to encompass a diverse range of items related to music, film, and television. The National Museum of Pop Culture encapsulates the dynamic and ever-changing landscape of popular culture, inspiring audiences and preserving the legacy of creative expression for future generations to explore and enjoy.
