View source for Museum of Pop Culture

{{short description|Museum in Seattle, Washington}}
{{Redirect|MOPOP|the Canadian Intellectual Property Office manual|Manual of Patent Office Practice}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox museum
| name            = MOPOP
| logo            = Museum of Pop Culture Logo.png
| image           = EMPPano11.jpg
| caption         = View of MOPOP from [[Seattle Center]] with the [[Seattle Center Monorail|monorail]] traveling through it
| map_type        = 
| coordinates     = {{coord|47.6215|-122.3486|display=inline}}
| former_name     = 
| established     = {{Start date and age|2000}}
| dissolved       = 
| location        = 325 5th Avenue N<br>[[Seattle, Washington]], U.S.
| type            = Popular culture, music, science fiction, video games
| visitors        = 
| director        = 
| president       = 
| curator         = 
| publictransit   = 
| website         = {{official URL}}
| network         = 
}}
[[File:Monorail in EMP.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Seattle Center Monorail|Monorail]] tracks going through the MOPOP building]]

The '''Museum of Pop Culture''' (or '''MOPOP''') is a nonprofit museum in [[Seattle]], Washington, United States, dedicated to contemporary [[popular culture]]. It was founded by [[Microsoft]] co-founder [[Paul Allen]] in 2000 as the Experience Music Project. Since then MOPOP has organized dozens of [[Exhibition|exhibits]], 17 of which have toured across the U.S. and internationally.

The museum{{emdash}}formerly known as '''Experience Music Project''', '''Experience Music Project and Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame''' (or EMP|SFM), and later '''EMP Museum''' until November 2016—has initiated many public programs including "Sound Off!", an annual 21-and-under battle-of-the-bands that supports the all-ages scene; and "Pop Conference", an annual gathering of academics, critics, musicians, and music buffs.

MOPOP, in collaboration with the [[Seattle International Film Festival]] (SIFF), presents the [[Science Fiction Fantasy Short Film Festival|Science Fiction and Fantasy Short Film Festival]] which takes place every winter. Since 2007, the MOPOP celebrates [[Musician|recording artists]] with the Founders Award for their noteworthy contributions.

==Exhibits and activities==
[[File:Night Exterior EMP.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Nighttime view of MOPOP]]
[[File:Guitar Art at the EMP.jpg|thumb|Guitar sculpture at MOPOP]]
MOPOP is home to numerous exhibits and interactive activity stations as well as [[Sound art|sound sculpture]] and various educational resources:
* A {{convert|140000|sqft|adj=on}} building, designed by [[Frank O. Gehry]], housing several galleries and the Sky Church, which features a Barco C7 black package [[LED display|LED screen]], one of the largest indoor LED screens in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.plsn.com/projection-connection/7436-seattles-experience-music-project-equipped-with-high-resolution-led-display-for-sky-church-music-venue.html|title=PLSN - Seattle's EMP Equipped with High-Res LED Display for Sky Church Music Venue|author=Frank Hammel|work=plsn.com|access-date=July 26, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130929173934/http://www.plsn.com/projection-connection/7436-seattles-experience-music-project-equipped-with-high-resolution-led-display-for-sky-church-music-venue.html|archive-date=September 29, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* Exhibits covering pop culture, from the art of [[fantasy]], [[Horror film|horror cinema]], and [[video game]]s to [[Science fiction|science fiction literature]] and costumes from screen and stage.
* Interactive activities are included in galleries like Sound Lab and On Stage where visitors can explore hands-on the tools of rock and roll through instruments, and perform music before a [[virtual audience]].
* IF VI WAS IX, a guitar sculpture consisting of more than 500 [[musical instrument]]s and 30 [[computer]]s conceived by British [[Exhibition designer|exhibit designer]] Neal Potter and developed by sound sculptor [[Trimpin]].<!--24.18.140.58 2013-05-23 00:07 (see TALK#24.18.140.58)--><ref>{{cite web |url=http://nealpotterdesign.co.uk/3.html |title=Neal Potter Design - Masterplanning |access-date=February 6, 2016 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020205037/http://nealpotterdesign.co.uk/3.html |archive-date=October 20, 2013 }} During 1997 Neal worked alongside Frank Gehry Architects and the EMP curatorial team to establish a masterplan for the attraction. The detail design was undertaken locally. Originally called "The Collision Sculpture", the point of collision of different genres of music to create rock and roll. A living electronic sculpture as relevant today as it might have been in 1955</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://empmuseum.org/at-the-museum/museum-features/if-vi-was-ix.aspx |title=If Vi Was Ix |access-date=February 6, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202034826/http://www.empmuseum.org/at-the-museum/museum-features/if-vi-was-ix.aspx |archive-date=February 2, 2016 }} More than 500 musical instruments and 30 computers were used to create IF VI WAS IX. Created by Seattle-based sound sculptor, Trimpin, IF VI WAS IX is equipped with earphones that allow audiences to tune into the various musical permutations performed.</ref>
* The world's largest collection of [[Artifact (archaeology)|artifacts]], [[Manuscript|hand-written]] lyrics, personal instruments, and original photographs celebrating the music and history of Seattle musician [[Jimi Hendrix]] and the band [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]].
* [[Instructional materials|Educational resources]] including MOPOP's Curriculum Connections in-museum workshops and outreach programs; STAR (Student Training in Artistic Reach); Creativity Camps for Kids; Teen Artist Workshops; Write Out of This World, an annual sci-fi and fantasy short story contest for 3rd to 12th graders; and the Hip-Hop Artist Residency.
* Public programs such as MOPOP's Science Fiction + Fantasy [[Short film|Short Film]] Festival, Pop Conference, the Youth Advisory Board (YAB), and Sound Off!, the [[Pacific Northwest]]'s premier battle-of-the-bands.

MOPOP was also the location of the first [[NIME]] workshop's concert and demo program. This subsequently became the annual International Conference on [[New Interfaces for Musical Expression]], a venue for research on [[music technology]].

==Science Fiction Museum==

The Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame was founded by Paul Allen and his sister [[Jody Allen|Jody Patton]], and opened to the public on June 18, 2004. It incorporated the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame which had been established in 1996. The museum was divided into several galleries with themes such as "Homeworld", "Fantastic Voyages", "Brave New Worlds", and "Them!", each displaying related memorabilia (movie props, first editions, costumes, and models) in large display cases, posters, and interactive displays. It was said about the museum that "From robots to jet packs to space suits and ray guns, it's all here."<ref name=NYT>[https://archive.today/20120724190656/http://travel.nytimes.com/travel/guides/north-america/united-states/washington/seattle/attraction-detail.html?vid=1154654608959 "Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame"]. Travel Guides: Seattle. ''The New York Times.'' July 7, 2009. Archived July 7, 2009. Retrieved 2013-04-27. Footer: "Content Provided by Frommer's Unlimited. Excerpted from ''Frommer's Seattle 2009''.</ref>

Members of the museum's advisory board included [[Steven Spielberg]], [[Ray Bradbury]], [[James Cameron]], and [[George Lucas]]. Among its collection of artifacts were [[James T. Kirk|Captain Kirk]]'s command chair from ''[[Star Trek]]'', the B9 robot from ''[[Lost in Space]]'', the [[Death Star]] model from ''[[Star Wars]]'', the [[Terminator (character)|T-800]] Terminator and one of the domes from the film ''[[Silent Running]]''. Although the Science Fiction Museum as a permanent collection was de-installed in March 2011, a new exhibit named ''Icons of Science Fiction'' opened as a replacement in June 2012.<ref name=kareiva/><ref name=CBS/> At this time the new Hall of Fame display was unveiled and the class of 2012 inducted.<ref name=sfhof2012/><ref name=sfhof-new/>

==Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame==
<!-- [[Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame]] redirects here and [[Science Fiction Hall of Fame (disambiguation)]] targets here --><!-- biographies of 69 Hall of Fame members point here; EMP Museum continues to serve its Hall of Fame page and to claim that its members make the nominations ("Hall of Fame nominations are submitted by EMP members") -- do not delete this coverage while that is true (and then the articles must be split) – we don't need to say in May that we don't know whether new members of the hall of fame will be inducted in June or July --><!-- if/when EMP Museum releases ownership of the hall of fame we will need a source for that (not the passage of June without its usual induction of new members) and we will need to cover that disownership here -->

The Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame was founded in 1996 by the [[Kansas City, Missouri|Kansas City]] Science Fiction and Fantasy Society and the Center for the Study of Science Fiction (CSSF) at the [[University of Kansas]] (KU). The [[Chairperson|chairmen]] were Keith Stokes (1996–2001) and [[Robin Wayne Bailey]] (2002–2004). Only writers and editors were eligible for recognition and four were inducted annually, two deceased and two living. Each class of four was announced at [[Kansas City, Missouri|Kansas City]]'s annual [[science fiction convention]], [[ConQuesT]], and inducted at the Campbell Conference hosted by CSSF.<ref name=sfhof-old/><ref name=sfhof-CSSF/>

The Hall of Fame stopped inducting fantasy writers after 2004, when it became part of the Science Fiction Museum affiliated with the Museum of Pop Culture, under the name "Science Fiction Hall of Fame". Having inducted 36 writers in nine years, the organization began to recognize non-literary media in 2005.<ref name=sfhof-old/> It retained the quota of four new members and thus reduced the annual number of writers. The 2005 and 2006 press releases placed new members in "Literature", "Art", "Film, Television and Media", and "Open" categories, one for each category.<ref name=sfhof2005/><ref name=sfhof2006/> In 2007 and 2008, the fourth inductee was placed in one of the three substantial categories.<ref name=sfhof2007/><ref name=sfhof2008/>

Nominations are submitted by the public,<!--according to the 2016 website, nominations are now open to the public--> but the selections are made by "award-winning science fiction authors, artists, editors, publishers, and film professionals".<ref name=SFFhof-new/><!-- confirmed February 2021 -->

MOPOP restored the original name online during June 2013 and announced five new members, one daily, beginning June 17, 2013. The first four were cited largely or wholly for science fiction works, however the final one was [[J. R. R. Tolkien|J.R.R. Tolkien]], who was "hailed as the father of modern [[fantasy literature]]".<ref name=SFFhof2013/>

===Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame inductions===
Sources:<ref name="sfhof-old" /><ref name=sfadb/>
* 1996: [[Jack Williamson]]; [[A. E. van Vogt]]; [[John W. Campbell, Jr.]]; [[Hugo Gernsback]]
* 1997: [[Andre Norton]]; [[Arthur C. Clarke]]; [[H. G. Wells]]; [[Isaac Asimov]]
* 1998: [[Hal Clement]]; [[Frederik Pohl]]; [[C. L. Moore]]; [[Robert A. Heinlein]]
* 1999: [[Ray Bradbury]]; [[Robert Silverberg]]; [[Jules Verne]]; [[Abraham Merritt]]
* 2000: [[Poul Anderson]]; [[Gordon R. Dickson]]; [[Theodore Sturgeon]]; [[Eric Frank Russell]]
* 2001: [[Jack Vance]]; [[Ursula K. Le Guin]]; [[Alfred Bester]]; [[Fritz Leiber]]
* 2002: [[Samuel R. Delany]]; [[Michael Moorcock]]; [[James Blish]]; [[Donald A. Wollheim]]
* 2003: [[Wilson Tucker (writer)|Wilson Tucker]]; [[Kate Wilhelm]]; [[Damon Knight]]; [[Edgar Rice Burroughs]]
* 2004: [[Brian Aldiss]]; [[Harry Harrison (writer)|Harry Harrison]]; [[Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley]]; [[E. E. "Doc" Smith]] <!-- listings above are sequenced as on the official website in 2004 [ref name=sfhof-old]; always the first two were the year's two living inductees -->
* 2005: [[Steven Spielberg]]; [[Philip K. Dick]]; [[Chesley Bonestell]]; [[Ray Harryhausen]]<ref name=sfhof2005/>
* 2006: [[George Lucas]]; [[Frank Herbert]]; [[Frank Kelly Freas]]; [[Anne McCaffrey]]<ref name=sfhof2006/>
* 2007: [[Ed Emshwiller]]; [[Gene Roddenberry]]; [[Ridley Scott]]; [[Gene Wolfe]]<ref name=sfhof2007/>
* 2008: [[Ian Ballantine]] and [[Betty Ballantine]]; [[William Gibson]]; [[Richard M. Powers]]; [[Rod Serling]]<ref name=sfhof2008/>
* 2009: [[Edward L. Ferman]]; [[Michael Whelan]]; [[Frank R. Paul]]; [[Connie Willis]]<ref name=sfhof2009/>
* 2010: [[Octavia E. Butler]]; [[Richard Matheson]]; [[Douglas Trumbull]]; [[Roger Zelazny]]<ref name=sfhof2010/>
* 2011: [[Vincent Di Fate]]; [[Gardner Dozois]]; [[Harlan Ellison]]; [[Jean Giraud]]<ref name=sfhof2011/>
* 2012: [[Joe Haldeman]]; [[James Tiptree, Jr.]]; [[James Cameron]]; [[Virgil Finlay]]<ref name=sfhof2012/> <!-- listings 2005 to 2012 are sequenced same as the four blurbs in our annual refs, which are EMP press releases -->
* 2013: [[H. R. Giger]]; [[Judith Merril]]; [[Joanna Russ]]; [[David Bowie]]; [[J. R. R. Tolkien]]<ref name=SFFhof2013>
[https://web.archive.org/web/20130623034231/http://empmuseum.org/at-the-museum/museum-features/science-fiction-and-fantasy-hall-of-fame.aspx "Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame"]. [June 17 to 21, 2013]. EMP Museum (''empmuseum.org''). Archived June 23, 2013. Retrieved 2014-07-21.</ref>
* 2014: [[Frank Frazetta]]; [[Hayao Miyazaki]]; [[Leigh Brackett]]; [[Olaf Stapledon]]; [[Stanley Kubrick]]<ref name=SFFhof-new>
[http://www.empmuseum.org/at-the-museum/museum-features/science-fiction-and-fantasy-hall-of-fame.aspx "Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160207044750/http://www.empmuseum.org/at-the-museum/museum-features/science-fiction-and-fantasy-hall-of-fame.aspx |date=February 7, 2016 }}. EMP Museum (''empmuseum.org''). Retrieved June 27, 2014.</ref>
* 2015: [[James E. Gunn]]; [[Georges Méliès]]; [[John Schoenherr]]; [[Kurt Vonnegut]]; [[Jack Gaughan]]<ref>[http://www.locusmag.com/News/2015/06/2014-science-fiction-hall-of-fame-inductees-and-fundraiser#sthash.uwR4dGzo.dpuf "2015 SF&F Hall of Fame Inductees & James Gunn Fundraiser"]. June 12, 2015. [[Locus Science Fiction Foundation]] (''locusmag.com''). Retrieved July 16, 2015.</ref>
* 2016: [[Terry Pratchett]]; [[Douglas Adams]]; ''[[Star Trek]]''; ''[[Blade Runner]]''<ref name="Locus">{{cite web |title=2016 SF&F Hall of Fame Inductees |url=https://locusmag.com/2017/01/2016-sff-hall-of-fame-inductees/ |website=Locus |date=January 17, 2017 |publisher=Locus SF Foundation |access-date=June 15, 2018}}</ref>
* 2017: [[J. K. Rowling]]; [[Stan Lee]]; ''[[The Legend of Zelda]]''; ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]''<ref>{{cite web |title=Stan Lee and J.K. Rowling to Be Inducted into Science Fiction & Fantasy Hall of Fame |url=http://comicbook.com/marvel/2018/06/15/stan-lee-JK-rowling-science-fiction-fantasy-hall-of-fame/ |website=ComicBook.com |access-date=June 15, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame: 2017 Inductees |url=https://www.mopop.org/sffhof2017 |website=MoPOP |access-date=June 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615111712/https://www.mopop.org/sffhof2017 |archive-date=June 15, 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* 2018: [[Neil Gaiman]]; [[Vonda N. McIntyre]]; ''[[Doctor Who]]''; ''[[Magic: The Gathering]]''<ref>{{cite web |title=Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame Nominations Now Open |url=https://www.mopop.org/about-mopop/the-mopop-blog/posts/2020/april/science-fiction-and-fantasy-hall-of-fame-nominations-now-open/ |website=MoPOP |date=10 April 2020 |access-date=February 2, 2021 |archive-date=13 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210213173238/https://www.mopop.org/about-mopop/the-mopop-blog/posts/2020/april/science-fiction-and-fantasy-hall-of-fame-nominations-now-open/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* 2020: [[Ted Chiang]]; [[D. C. Fontana]]; ''[[Star Wars]]''; ''[[Watchmen]]''<ref>{{cite web |title=MoPOP Announces Its Next 'Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame' Class |url=https://www.mopop.org/about-mopop/the-mopop-blog/posts/2020/july/mopop-announces-its-next-science-fiction-and-fantasy-hall-of-fame-class/ |website=MoPOP |date=July 2020 |access-date=February 2, 2021}}</ref>
* 2021: [[Nichelle Nichols]]; [[Sigourney Weaver]]; ''[[Godzilla]];'' ''[[A Trip to the Moon]]''<ref>{{cite web |title=MoPOP Announces 'Science Fiction + Fantasy Hall of Fame' Class of 2021 |url=https://www.mopop.org/about-mopop/the-mopop-blog/posts/2022/january/mopop-announces-science-fiction-plus-fantasy-hall-of-fame-class-of-2021/ |website=MoPOP |date=3 January 2022 |access-date=March 25, 2022}}</ref>
* 2023: [[John Carpenter]]; [[N. K. Jemisin]]; [[Dune (franchise)|''Dune'']]; ''[[The Rocky Horror Picture Show]]''<ref>{{cite web | url=https://mopop.org/about-mopop/the-mopop-blog/posts/2023/june/mopop-announces-science-fiction-plus-fantasy-hall-of-fame-class-of-2023/ | title=MoPOP Announces 'Science Fiction + Fantasy Hall of Fame' Class of 2023 | date=29 June 2023 }}</ref> 
* 2024: [[Nnedi Okorafor]]; [[Nicola Griffith]]; [[Black Panther (character)|Black Panther]]; ''[[Dragon Ball]]''<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.mopop.org/about-mopop/the-mopop-blog/posts/2024/july/mopop-s-science-fiction-and-fantasy-hall-of-fame-inductees-2024-the-creators/ | title=MoPOP's Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame Inductees 2024 | date=31 July 2024}}</ref>
* 2025: [[Tomi Adeyemi]], [[Kim Mohan]], [[Pokémon]], [[The Wizard of Oz]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mopop.org/exhibitions/science-fiction-and-fantasy-hall-of-fame-inductees|title=A Legacy in the Making|accessdate=November 5, 2025}}</ref>

====20th anniversary====

In 2016, the Hall of Fame's 20th anniversary year, the scope was changed again to include not only creators, but creations (from such genres as [[Film|Cinema]], [[Television]] and Games), with two examples. A total of 20 additional inductees in both categories were also announced:<ref name=TheEncyclopediaofScienceFiction>{{cite web
 | url =https://www.sf-encyclopedia.com/entry/sf_hall_of_fame
 | title =Science fiction Hall of Fame
 | website =SFE The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction
 | access-date =July 26, 2019
}}</ref><ref name="Locus" />
* Creators: [[Margaret Atwood]]; [[Keith David]]; [[Guillermo del Toro]]; [[Terry Gilliam]]; [[Jim Henson]]; [[Jack Kirby]]; [[Madeleine L'Engle]]; [[C. S. Lewis]]; [[H. P. Lovecraft]]; [[Leonard Nimoy]]; [[George Orwell]]; [[Rumiko Takahashi]]; [[John Williams]]
* Works: ''[[2001: A Space Odyssey]]''; ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]''; ''[[The Matrix]]''; ''[[Myst]]''; ''[[The Princess Bride (film)|The Princess Bride]]''; [[Wonder Woman]]; ''[[The X-Files]]''

The class of 2023 brought the number of members to 109, which includes the 20 additional inductees added in 2016.

In November 2016, the museum changed its name from the Experience Music Project Museum to the Museum of Pop Culture, or MoPOP for short. In 2025, the museum rebranded to MOPOP in all caps.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Daniels |first1=Chris |date=November 15, 2016 |title=Experience Music Project gets new name: MoPOP |url=http://www.king5.com/entertainment/experience-music-project-getting-new-name-mopop/352411386 |access-date=November 15, 2016 |publisher=KING5 News}}</ref>

==Architecture==
{{multiple image|align=right|direction=horizontal
|image1=skychurch2009.jpg|caption1=The Sky Church|width1=133
|image2=ExperienceMusicProject.jpg|caption2=An exterior view of the building|width2=150}}
MOPOP is located on the campus of [[Seattle Center]], adjacent to the [[Space Needle]] and the [[Seattle Center Monorail]], which runs through the building. The structure itself was designed by [[Frank Gehry]] and resembles many of his firm's other works in its [[Sheet metal|sheet-metal]] construction, such as [[Guggenheim Museum Bilbao]], [[Walt Disney Concert Hall]], and [[Gehry Tower]]. Much of the building material is exposed in the building's interior. The building contains {{convert|140000|sqft|m2}}, with a {{convert|35000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} [[footprint]]. The name of the museum's central Sky Church pays homage to [[Jimi Hendrix]]. A concert venue capable of holding up to 800 guests, the last structural steel beam to be put in place bears the signatures of all construction workers who were on site on the day it was erected. [[Hoffman Construction Company]] of [[Portland, Oregon]], was the general contractor, while [[Magnusson Klemencic Associates]] of Seattle were the structural engineers for the project.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.modernsteel.com/uploads/issues/june_2001/0106_02_experiencemusic.pdf|title=Experience Music Project|work=modernsteel.com|access-date=December 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113183543/http://www.modernsteel.com/uploads/issues/june_2001/0106_02_experiencemusic.pdf|archive-date=November 13, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:Aerial view of EMPSFM.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Design by [[Frank Gehry]]]]

Even before [[groundbreaking]], the ''[[Seattle Weekly]]'' said the design could refer to "the often quoted comparison to a smashed [[electric guitar]]." Gehry himself had in fact made the comparison: "We started collecting pictures of [[Fender Stratocaster|Stratocasters]], bringing in guitar bodies, drawing on those shapes in developing our ideas."<ref name=downey>Downey, Roger (February 18, 1998). [http://www.seattleweekly.com/news/9807/features-downey.php "Experience This!"]. ''[[Seattle Weekly]]''. Retrieved October 22, 2006.  {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513174906/http://www.seattleweekly.com/news/9807/features-downey.php |date=May 13, 2013 }}</ref> The architecture was greeted by Seattle residents with a mixture of acclaim for Gehry and derision for this particular edifice. British-born, Seattle-based writer [[Jonathan Raban]] remarked that "Frank Gehry has created some wonderful buildings, like the [[Guggenheim Museum Bilbao|Guggenheim Museum]] in Bilbao, but his Seattle effort, the Experience Music Project, is not one of them."<ref name=Raban>{{cite news | first = Jonathan | last = Raban | url = http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/display?slug=raban04&date=20040404&query=Raban | title = Deference to nature keeps Seattle from becoming world-class city] | newspaper = Seattle Times | date = April 4, 2004 | access-date =November 24, 2006}}</ref> ''[[The New York Times|New York Times]]'' [[Architecture criticism|architecture critic]] [[Herbert Muschamp]] described it <!--May 16, 2004 in a review of Seattle's Central Library, should seek primary source citation-->as "something that crawled out of the sea, rolled over, and died".<ref name=Barnett>{{cite magazine | first = Erica C. | last = Barnett | url = http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Content?oid=18487 | title = EMPty: The Experience Music Project is a flop on all fronts—financial, musical, and intellectual | magazine = The Stranger | date = June 17, 2004 <!--– June 23, 2004--> | access-date=November 24, 2006}}</ref> ''[[Forbes]]'' magazine called it one of the world's 10 ugliest buildings.<ref name=Barnett/><!--primary source citation would be better--> Others describe it as a "blob"<ref name=cheek>{{cite news|first=Lawrence W. |last=Cheek |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/ae/286390_architecture26.html |title=On Architecture: Corrugated steel is a nice wrinkle |newspaper=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |date=September 26, 2006 |access-date=November 26, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120232442/http://www.seattlepi.com/ae/286390_architecture26.html |archive-date=January 20, 2012 }}</ref> or call it "The [[Hemorrhoid]]s".<ref name=Raban/> Despite some critical reviews of the structure, the building has been called "a fitting backdrop for the world's largest collection of Jimi Hendrix [[Souvenir|memorabilia]]."<ref name="fodor">[https://web.archive.org/web/20100818190523/http://www.fodors.com/world/north-america/usa/washington/seattle/review-105822.html "Experience Music Project Review""Experience Music Project Review"]. ''Seattle''. Fodor's Travel Guides (''fodors.com''). Archived 2010-08-18. Retrieved 2013-04-27. <!-- original http://www.fodors.com/world/north-america/usa/washington/seattle/review-105822.html --></ref> The building's exterior, which features a fusion of textures and colors including gold, silver, deep red, blue and a "shimmering purple haze",<ref name=enlow>Enlow, Clair (July 12, 2000). [http://www.architectureweek.com/2000/0712/index.html "Frank Gehry Rock Temple"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080724011841/http://www.architectureweek.com/2000/0712/index.html |date=July 24, 2008 }}. ''Architecture Week'' '''9'''.</ref> has been declared "an apt representation of the American rock experience."<ref name="skelton">Skelton, Lauren (2008). <!-- after April 26, before October 26 (open and close dates) -->[https://web.archive.org/web/20100615115657/http://seattle.net//entertainment/seattlemusic/musicarticles/emp/ "EMP: Experience Music Project"]. Seattle.net. Archived 2010-06-15. Retrieved 2013-04-27. <!-- original http://www.seattle.net/entertainment/seattlemusic/musicarticles/emp/ --></ref>

==Finances==
The museum has had mixed financial success.<ref name=cook>Cook, John (January 8, 2002). [http://www.seattlepi.com/business/layoff.asp?id=398 "Recent layoffs at local companies: Experience Music Project"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200422110730/http://www.seattlepi.com/business/layoff.asp?id=398 |date=April 22, 2020 }}. ''[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]]''. Retrieved October 22, 2006. {{dead link |date=April 2013}}</ref><ref name=AP>[[Associated Press]] (March 22, 2005). [https://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2005-03-22-emp-seattle_x.htm "Experience Music Project still struggling five years later"]. ''USA Today''. Retrieved October 22, 2006.</ref> In an effort to raise more funds, museum organizers used Allen's extensive art collection to create a 2006 exhibit at the museum entitled ''DoubleTake: From Monet to Lichtenstein''.<ref name=farr>Farr, Sheila (November 29, 2005). [http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002652590_allenart29.html "Paul Allen's Experience Art Project"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524044205/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002652590_allenart29.html |date=May 24, 2011 }}. ''Seattle Times''. Retrieved October 22, 2006.</ref> The exhibit included [[Roy Lichtenstein]]'s ''[[Kiss II|The Kiss]]'' (1962), [[Pierre-Auguste Renoir]]'s ''The Reader'' (1877), [[Vincent van Gogh]]'s ''Orchard with Peach Trees in Blossom'' (1888), [[Pablo Picasso]]'s ''Four Bathers'' (1921) and several works of art from [[Claude Monet]] including one of the ''[[Water Lilies (Monet series)|Water Lilies]]'' paintings (1919) and ''The Mula Palace'' (1908).<ref>[http://www.doubletakeexhibit.org/press/index.asp?dt=032106 "Full List of Works Announced for Upcoming DoubleTake: From Monet to Lichtenstein Exhibition"]. Press release. March 21, 2006. Retrieved 2006-10-22.  <br>. Press releases 2005/2006 (directory). Archived 2007-09-29. Retrieved 2013-04-27. {{cite web |url=http://www.doubletakeexhibit.org/press/index.asp?dt=032106 |access-date=September 29, 2007 |title=Double Take |archive-date=September 29, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929013825/http://www.doubletakeexhibit.org/press/index.asp?dt=032106 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Since then the museum has organized numerous exhibitions focused more specifically on popular culture, such as ''Sound and Vision: Artists Tell Their Stories'', which opened February 28, 2007. This brought together both music and science fiction in a single exhibit, and drew on the museum's extensive collection of [[oral history]] recordings.<ref name=oral/> The museum's recent exhibitions have ranged from [[Horror film|horror cinema]], video games, and black leather jackets to fantasy film and literature.

==Founders Award==
Since 2007, the Museum of Pop Culture's ''Founders Award'' has celebrated artists whose "noteworthy contributions continue to nurture the next generation of risk-takers". The annual benefit gala is key in funding the museum's educational programs, community engagement, and exhibitions.<ref name="founders award">{{Cite web |title=Founders Award |url=https://www.mopop.org//exhibitions-plus-events/founders-award/ |access-date=November 25, 2021 |website=MoPOP.org |archive-date=November 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211130125507/https://www.mopop.org/exhibitions-plus-events/founders-award/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2020, due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], the gala had to be cancelled and for the first time ever, the event was made free to the public, streaming online on December 1, 2020, as MOPOP honored Seattle's own [[Alice in Chains]].<ref name="aic">{{Cite web |date=September 30, 2020 |title=MoPOP To Honor Alice in Chains With 2020 Founders Award |url=https://www.mopop.org/about-mopop/the-mopop-blog/posts/2020/september/mopop-to-honor-alice-in-chains-with-2020-founders-award/ |website=MoPOP.org |access-date=December 10, 2020 |archive-date=November 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102182046/https://www.mopop.org/about-mopop/the-mopop-blog/posts/2020/september/mopop-to-honor-alice-in-chains-with-2020-founders-award/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The benefit streaming raised more than $600,000 for MOPOP in its first night. A compilation featuring highlights from the tribute was made available for streaming on [[Amazon Music]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 2, 2020 |title=Music from Museum of Pop Culture's Founders Award Honoring Alice In Chains Available as Streaming Amazon Music Compilation |url=http://www.mopop.org/about-mopop/press/december-2-2020/ |website=MoPOP.org}}</ref>

;Recipients
* 2007: [[Ann Wilson|Ann]] & [[Nancy Wilson (rock musician)|Nancy Wilson]]<ref name="founders award"/>
* 2008: [[Robbie Robertson]]<ref name="founders award"/>
* 2009: [[Steve Cropper]]<ref name="founders award"/>
* 2010: [[Billy Cox]]<ref name="founders award"/>
* 2011: [[Buddy Guy]]<ref name="founders award"/>
* 2012: [[Carlos Santana]]<ref name="founders award"/>
* 2013: [[Crosby, Stills & Nash]]<ref name="founders award"/>
* 2014: [[Jackson Browne]]<ref name="founders award"/>
* 2015: [[Jimmy Page]]<ref name="founders award"/>
* 2016: [[Joe Walsh]]<ref name="founders award"/>
* 2017: [[The Doors]]<ref name="founders award"/>
* 2018: [[John Fogerty]]<ref name="founders award"/>
* 2019: [[Brandi Carlile]]<ref name="founders award"/>
* 2020: [[Alice in Chains]]<ref name="aic"/>
* 2022: [[Quincy Jones]]<ref name="founders award"/>

==See also==
* [[List of music museums]]
* [[List of works by Frank Gehry]]

==References==
<references>
<ref name=sfhof-CSSF>
[http://www.sfcenter.ku.edu/SF-HOF.htm "Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame"]. 2005(?). Center for the Study of Science Fiction (''sfcenter.ku.edu''). University of Kansas. Retrieved June 25, 2013.</ref>
<ref name=sfhof-old>
[http://www.midamericon.org/halloffame/ "Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130521070009/http://www.midamericon.org/halloffame/ |date=May 21, 2013 }} (official website to 2004).<!-- midamericon.org runs the annual KC convention ConQuesT where 1996-2004 inductees were announced --> Retrieved 2012-04-25.</ref>
<ref name=sfhof2005>
[https://archive.today/20050326222649/http://www.sfhomeworld.org/make_contact/article.asp?articleID=206 "It's Official! Inductees Named for 2005 Hall of Fame Class"]. Press release March 24, 2005. Science Fiction Museum (''sfhomeworld.org''). Archived March 26, 2005. Retrieved 2013-03-22.</ref>
<ref name=sfhof2006>
[https://archive.today/20060426115756/http://www.sfhomeworld.org/make_contact/article.asp?articleID=239 "Presenting the 2006 Hall of Fame Inductees"]. Press release March 15, 2006. Science Fiction Museum (''sfhomeworld.org''). Archived April 26, 2006. Retrieved April 1, 2013.</ref>
<ref name=sfhof2007>
[https://web.archive.org/web/20071014112914/http://www.empsfm.org/press/index.asp?articleID=892 "Science Fiction Hall of Fame to Induct Ed Emshwiller, Gene Roddenberry, Ridley Scott and Gene Wolfe"]. Press release March/April/May 2007. Experience Music Project and Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame (''empsfm.org''). Archived October 14, 2007. Retrieved 2013-03-19.</ref>
<ref name=sfhof2008>
[https://web.archive.org/web/20080510121729/http://www.empsfm.org/press/index.asp?articleID=1259 "2008 Science Fiction Hall of Fame Ceremony Tickets On Sale May 15"]. Press release April/May 2008. Experience Music Project and Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame (''empsfm.org''). Archived May 10, 2008. Retrieved 2013-03-19.</ref>
<ref name=sfhof2009>
[https://web.archive.org/web/20090814011051/http://www.empsfm.org/press/index.asp?articleID=1386 "EMP|SFM Announces its 2009 Science Fiction Hall of Fame Inductions"]. Press release 2009(?). Experience Music Project and Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame (''empsfm.org''). Archived August 14, 2009. Retrieved 2013-03-19.</ref>
<ref name=sfhof2010>
[https://web.archive.org/web/20100325043342/http://www.empsfm.org/exhibitions/index.asp?categoryID=203 "Science Fiction Hall of Fame"]. [Quote: "EMP|SFM is proud to announce the 2010 Hall of Fame inductees: ..."]. Experience Music Project and Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame (''empsfm.org''). Archived March 25, 2010. Retrieved 2013-03-19.</ref>
<ref name=sfhof2011>
[https://web.archive.org/web/20110721162138/http://www.empmuseum.org/exhibitions/index.asp?categoryID=203 "Science Fiction Hall of Fame"]. [Quote: "EMP is proud to announce the 2011 Hall of Fame inductees: ..."]. May/June/June 2011. EMP Museum (''empmuseum.org''). Archived July 21, 2011. Retrieved 2013-03-19.</ref>
<ref name=sfhof2012>
[https://web.archive.org/web/20120722092713/http://www.empmuseum.org/exhibitions/index.asp?categoryID=203 "Science Fiction Hall of Fame: EMP Museum Announces the 2012 Science Fiction Hall of Fame Inductees"]. EMP Museum (''empmuseum.org''). Version 2011–2012 at [[Internet Archive]]. Archived July 22, 2012. Retrieved 2013-03-19.</ref>
<ref name=sfhof-new>
[https://web.archive.org/web/20130531161233/http://empmuseum.org/at-the-museum/museum-features/science-fiction-hall-of-fame.aspx "Science Fiction Hall of Fame"]. EMP Museum (''empmuseum.org''). Archived May 31, 2013. Retrieved 2013-06-25.</ref>
<!-- the latter "new" version of the Hall of Fame top page is not "newest"; see inline refs above -->

<ref name=sfadb>
[http://www.sfadb.com/Science_Fiction_Hall_of_Fame "Science Fiction Hall of Fame"]. Science Fiction Awards Database (sfadb.com). Mark R. Kelly and the [[Locus Science Fiction Foundation]]. Retrieved July 21, 2014.</ref>

<ref name=oral>
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20070921124329/http://www.empsfm.org/programs/index.asp?categoryID=60 "The EMP{{pipe}}SFM Oral History Program"].
Programs / Oral History. Experience Music Project and Science Fiction Museum (''empsfm.org''). Archived 2007-09-21. Retrieved 2013-03-19.<br>
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20110519214753/http://www.empmuseum.org/programs/index.asp?categoryID=60 "The EMP{{pipe}}SFM Oral History Program"]. Programs / Oral History. EMP Museum (''empmuseum.org''). Archived 2011-05-19. Retrieved 2013-03-19.
</ref>
<!-- two more recent refs that may be vital to both articles if EMP Museum and SF/SFF HOF are split -->
<ref name=kareiva>
Kareiva, Celina (January 19, 2012). [http://seattletimes.com/html/thearts/2017284534_emp20m.html "Coming to EMP: Hendrix, AC/DC — and some leather, too"]. ''The Seattle Times''. Retrieved January 22, 2012.</ref>
<ref name=CBS>
[http://seattle.cbslocal.com/2012/05/22/guide-to-emps-icons-of-science-fiction-starts-june-9/ "Guide to EMP's 'Icons of Science Fiction'"]. CBS Seattle. May 22, 2012. Retrieved March 29, 2013.</ref>
</references>

==External links==
{{commons category|Museum of Pop Culture}}
* [http://www.MoPOP.org/ Museum of Pop Culture official website] <!-- see TALK#Official website -->
* [http://www.midamericon.org/halloffame/ Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame official website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20041108215523/http://www.seattlewiki.org/wiki/Experience_Music_Project SeattleWiki: Experience Music Project]
* [http://www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Experience_Music_Project.html Experience Music Project at greatbuildings.com]
* [https://archive.today/20060925153618/http://hct.ece.ubc.ca/nime/2001/ New Interfaces for Musical Expression – NIME-01]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160821134331/http://www.empmuseum.org/about-emp/press/exhibitions-and-related-publications.aspx "Exhibitions / Past Exhibitions"]. EMP Museum (''empmuseum.org'')
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070923045128/http://www.empsfm.org/exhibitions/index.asp?categoryID=20 "Exhibitions / Past Exhibitions"]. Experience Music Project and Science Fiction Museum (''empsfm.org''). Archived 2007-09-23. Retrieved 2013-03-19.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110127173017/http://www.empsfm.org/exhibitions/index.asp?categoryID=20 "Exhibitions / Past Exhibitions"]. Experience Music Project and Science Fiction Museum (''empsfm.org''). Archived 2011-01-27. Retrieved 2013-03-19.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120718151333/http://www.empmuseum.org/exhibitions/index.asp?categoryID=20 "Exhibitions / Past Exhibitions"]. EMP Museum (''empmuseum.org''). Archived 2012-07-18. Retrieved 2013-03-19.

{{Portal bar |Music |Science Fiction }}
{{Frank Gehry}}
{{Museums in Puget Sound}}
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[[Category:Museums in Seattle]]
[[Category:Media museums in Washington (state)]]
[[Category:Music museums in the United States]]
[[Category:Biographical museums in Washington (state)]]
[[Category:Deconstructivism]]
[[Category:Expressionist architecture]]
[[Category:Frank Gehry buildings]]
[[Category:Halls of fame in Washington (state)]]
[[Category:Postmodern architecture in Washington (state)]]
[[Category:Rock music museums]]
[[Category:Science Fiction Hall of Fame inductees| ]]
[[Category:Seattle Center]]
[[Category:Museums established in 2000]]
[[Category:2000 establishments in Washington (state)]]
[[Category:2000s architecture in the United States]]
[[Category:Oral history]]