Museum of Pop Culture, Contemporary culture museum in Seattle Center, United States
This cultural facility covers 13000 square meters across multiple exhibition spaces dedicated to music history, science fiction cinema and video game development. The Frank Gehry building features curved metallic surfaces in gold, silver and purple that house permanent and rotating galleries examining popular culture from the 1950s to the present.
Microsoft cofounder Paul Allen opened the facility in June 2000 as the Experience Music Project, initially focused on American popular music history. The institution expanded its scope in 2011 to include science fiction, horror and video game exhibitions, then rebranded as the Museum of Pop Culture in 2016 to reflect its broadened mission.
The institution preserves extensive archives documenting Seattle's role in rock history, particularly the grunge movement of the 1990s. Collections include handwritten lyrics, original instruments and photographs that trace the development of Pacific Northwest music from its underground origins through global recognition.
The facility operates daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM at 325 5th Avenue North with full wheelchair access throughout all exhibition areas. Advance ticket purchase online reduces wait times during peak summer months and weekends. Seattle Center location provides proximity to other attractions, restaurants and public transit including the Monorail.
The Sky Church interior space rises 85 feet with what was the world's largest indoor LED screen when installed, used for concerts and multimedia presentations. Construction required accommodating the existing Seattle Center Monorail track, which now passes through an opening in the building's sculptural exterior.
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