CMA pledges $10M to Country Hall of Fame expansion
The plan is to increase from 140,000 square feet to more than 350,000 square feet. The donation is the largest philanthropic gift in the not-for-profit educational organization's history.
"CMA and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum are connected by history and our shared interest in preserving the legacy, rewarding excellence, and advancing the future of the format," said Steve Moore, CMA Chief Executive Officer. "This donation is the latest example of CMA's longstanding commitment to the Hall of Fame. We are proud to support the growth of the Hall and we look forward to using the CMA Theater in a variety of ways that will shine a spotlight on the country music industry and format."
In 1961, the CMA Board of Directors approved the establishment of the Country Music Hall of Fame honor to recognize noteworthy individuals for their outstanding contributions to the format. In 1964, CMA organized the not-for-profit Country Music Foundation (CMF) for the purpose of "establishing a museum and archives for the preservation and exhibition of historical and cultural materials and exhibits within the field of Country Music and to make the same available to students, researchers, and the general public."
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum opened in 1967. Since then, CMA has contributed nearly $5 million to the museum, including a $1 million endowment to their flagship school program Words & Music, and underwriting for the Museum's annual Medallion Ceremony, which has served as the official rite of induction for CMA's new Hall of Fame members since 2007.
The expansion will include the 800-seat state-of-the-art CMA Theater, which is designed to be flexible and adaptable for a broad range of activities from concerts and films to lectures and corporate meetings.
"Beyond the impressive amount of this gift, it represents a major milestone in the life and history of the place known around the world as 'Music City,'" said Museum Board Member John Seigenthaler, founder of the First Amendment Center. "It reflects back on this community's cultural history and the contributions of the Country Music Association and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum as we envision a future enriched by our legacy as a center of music, entertainment, and tourism."
"We are indebted to the CMA for a gift that serves our educational mission, benefits Music City, and serves a worldwide audience," said Museum Director Kyle Young. "In Nashville, the CMA Theater's seating capacity is unique and will fill a gap in available performance halls. It is sure to become a coveted venue for touring artists in many genres of music and it will be recognized as one of Music City's cultural crown jewels.
"In addition to expanding the size and number of our own educational programs, the CMA Theater will give us the additional opportunity to partner with other cultural organizations such as the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, the Belcourt Theater, and Nashville's downtown library," Young said.
With Country Music Hall of Fame member Kris Kristofferson and Ford Motor Executive Chairman Bill Ford as honorary co-chairs, the museum launched its $75 million Working on a Building campaign in late July with $56.8 million in cash and pledges already secured. Designed by Tuck-Hinton Architects, the expansion is expected to be completed in early 2014.
More news for Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
- 08/21/24: Stuart Collection becomes part of Country Music Hall of Fame
- 06/20/24: CMHOF, Nashville Ballet collaborate on Atkins song
- 05/02/24: "From Where I Stand: The Black Experience in Country Music" sees light of day
- 11/27/23: All for the Hall benefit features Brooks & Dunn, Yearwood, Loveless, HARDY, Ballerini
- 10/24/23: Loveless, Tucker, McDill join Country Hall of Fame
- 09/07/23: Urban, Gill, Bentley, Ballerini play All for the Hall
- 07/17/23: Country HOF member Jerry Bradley passes
- 06/20/23: Country Hall honors Church as artist-in-residence
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