(January 12, 2023) When the Motown Museum -- long a powerful but physically modest fixture on W. Grand Boulevard in Midtown Detroit -- announced that it was attempting to raise over $50 million dollars for a knock-your-socks-off renovation and expansion, it seemed like a bit of a pipe dream. But with the recent federal grant of $10 million from a supplemental budget bill, the museum has now hit a whopping $55 million in funding from federal, state and local governments plus major corporate and philanthropic grants.
There was a time when this tremendous raise would have been sufficient to finish the job, but alas, inflation has raised the anticipated price tag on the project, so it appears that the museum team will need to raise around another $10 million. But what has already been accomplished is tremendous, and visitors to the area see the trucks and the workers putting together what promises to be a world class music museum and education center.
(January 12, 2023) When the Motown Museum -- long a powerful but physically modest fixture on W. Grand Boulevard in Midtown Detroit -- announced that it was attempting to raise over $50 million dollars for a knock-your-socks-off renovation and expansion, it seemed like a bit of a pipe dream. But with the recent federal grant of $10 million from a supplemental budget bill, the museum has now hit a whopping $55 million in funding from federal, state and local governments plus major corporate and philanthropic grants.
There was a time when this tremendous raise would have been sufficient to finish the job, but alas, inflation has raised the anticipated price tag on the project, so it appears that the museum team will need to raise around another $10 million. But what has already been accomplished is tremendous, and visitors to the area see the trucks and the workers putting together what promises to be a world class music museum and education center.
Ultimately, the 50,000 square foot expanded museum is to include interactive exhibits, retail and meeting areas, recording studios and much more. As Robin Terry, the Chairwoman and CEO of the Motown Museum said, “Our goal is to bring and expanded Motown Museum to the world, to inspire dreams and serve as an educational resource for global and local communities, while creating an international mecca of music and entertainment history.” The updated Museum will expand upon the footprint of the existing "Hitsville USA" site.
This dream is getting closer to reality, and music fans around the world are rejoicing.