Grammy Museum Mississippi

What Grammy Museum Mississippi does

Grammy Museum Mississippi is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) music museum operated by the Cleveland Music Foundation, located at 800 W Sunflower Road in Cleveland, Mississippi along the historic Highway 61 (Blues Highway). Founded in 2016 as the second GRAMMY Museum in the world and the only one in the southeastern United States, the institution delivers interactive music-history exhibits, educational programs, and live performance programming centered on Mississippi's influence on American music and the GRAMMY Awards legacy. Core offerings include the permanent exhibits (On the Red Carpet, Mono to Surround, The Roland Room, Singing & Songwriting Pods, Iconic Instruments, the Mississippi Gallery, and the 130-seat Sanders Soundstage), rotating temporary exhibits, student tours and workshops, teacher professional development with CEU credits, and community outreach programs including the Delta Sessions, Summer Camp, and Nissan Foundation-funded 'Soul of the Movement' K-6 program.

The museum's technology backbone consists of interactive multimedia exhibits, touchscreens, listening stations, acoustically engineered spaces, and hands-on instrument stations rather than AI-driven systems. Revenue is generated through a diversified mix: ticketed admission ($8-$16 per visitor), a tiered membership program running from $75 to $15,000 annually, facility rentals for corporate events and weddings across multiple spaces, donations and corporate sponsorships (including the Business Circle and an annual Gala that raised $220,000 in 2025), educational program fees, and a Mississippi specialty license plate program generating $24 per tag sold. The primary customer segments are K-12 schools and student groups, educators, the general public and music enthusiasts, corporate and private event clients, and corporate sponsors/major donors. The museum is governed by the Cleveland Music Foundation Board of Directors and operates as an affiliate of the GRAMMY Museum in Los Angeles under the Recording Academy's stewardship.

Name

Grammy Museum Mississippi

Legal name

Cleveland Music Foundation

Website

https://grammymuseumms.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Grammy Museum Mississippi is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) music museum in Cleveland, Mississippi, operating as the second GRAMMY Museum in the world and the only one in the southeastern United States, serving visitors, K-12 schools, and corporate partners through interactive exhibits, educational programs, and live events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Music Museum and Cultural Education Services

NAICS

Museums (712110), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (7121)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Specialty Museums (e.g., Maritime, Aviation, Sports, Music, Film) (THAJADAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Performing Arts & Cultural Event Venues (Theaters, Museums) (THAHAAAG), Museums & Heritage Sites (History, Science, Specialty) (BPAGAHAA), Museum, Zoo & Attraction Gift Shops (CRALAJAG)

Keywords

• Music museum exhibits
• Interactive music education
• Music history preservation
• Cultural heritage tourism
• Museum educational programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Cleveland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Admission Tickets: Visitors pay for museum admission with tiered pricing based on age, membership status, and group size. Individual tickets range from free (ages 4 and under) to $16 for adults, with group rates of $14 per person for 10+ visitors.
2. Memberships: Annual membership programs offering unlimited admission, discounts, guest passes, and exclusive access. Levels range from $150/year (Opening Act) to $15,000/year (Executive Circle), with corporate Business Circle tiers starting at $1,000.
3. Facility Rentals: Private event hosting including weddings, corporate events, and meetings. Spaces include the Paul and Lucy Janoush Front Porch, Jim and Donna Barksdale Lobby, Sanders Soundstage, Classroom, and Conference Room.
4. Donations and Fundraising: Tax-deductible donations supporting education programs, exhibits, and scholarships. Includes corporate sponsorships, Business Circle memberships, gala events, and the Simmons Society Endowment Fund.
5. Specialty License Plates: Mississippi specialty license plate program generating $24 per tag sold, with $33 total fee, funding educational programs once 300 minimum tags are sold.
6. Event Tickets and Programs: Tickets for special programs, performances, and evening events at the Sanders Soundstage. Members receive free or discounted admission; non-member prices typically $15-$25 for spotlight events.
7. Gift Memberships: Gift memberships available starting at $150, providing museum access for recipients.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Grammy Museum Mississippi operates a music-focused museum in Cleveland, Mississippi offering general admission access to permanent and temporary interactive exhibits, the 130-seat Sanders Soundstage theater, and signature programs including student tours and workshops, teacher professional development, outreach programs, public performances, and special events. The museum supplements its core visitation experience with tiered memberships ($75-$15,000/year), facility rentals for corporate events and weddings, donations, and sensory-inclusive resources through its KultureCity partnership.

Product overview

Grammy Museum Mississippi is a physical museum offering a unified visitor experience centered on music history education and preservation. The core product is general admission providing access to permanent exhibits (including On the Red Carpet, History of Dance, The Roland Room, Iconic Instruments, Mississippi Gallery, and Sanders Soundstage) and rotating temporary exhibits. The museum supplements this with Student Tours & Workshops for educational groups, Teacher Resources & Professional Development with free lesson plans and CEU credits, and Outreach Programs including Delta Sessions music lessons and Summer Camp. Additional revenue streams include Membership tiers (Opening Act through Patron Circles), Facility Rentals for private events across multiple venues including the 130-seat Sanders Soundstage, and Donations. The museum also offers sensory-friendly resources as a Sensory Inclusive Certified partner. All offerings interconnect through the museum's mission to use music as a gateway to learning.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Museum General Admission
• Temporary Exhibits
• Student Tours & Workshops
• Teacher Resources & Professional Development
• Outreach Programs
• Public Programs & Events
• Membership Program
• Facility Rentals
• Donations and Fundraising Program
• Mississippi Specialty License Plate Program
• Sensory-Friendly Resources Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 30,000+ students impacted through educational programs since opening in 2016
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• KultureCitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Partnership to provide sensory-inclusive experiences for visitors with sensory needs. KultureCity certification makes the museum a Sensory Inclusive Certified Facility, with staff trained to support guests with sensory sensitivities. Sensory bags with noise-canceling headphones and fidget tools are available daily.
• Recording AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011Parent organization behind the GRAMMY Awards and steward of the GRAMMY Museum trademark and content. The Recording Academy established in 1957 represents musicians, songwriters, producers, and recording professionals. Through its affiliate relationship with GRAMMY Museum in Los Angeles, Grammy Museum Mississippi shares the mission to celebrate music's history and the GRAMMY Awards.
• Bolivar Medical CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner supporting the museum's sensory-friendly resources program, helping fund sensory bags and sensory guides available to visitors with sensory needs.
• Mississippi State Tax CommissionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerState agency handling the specialty license plate program, with the museum receiving $24 per tag sold once 300 minimum tags are pre-sold.
• Mississippi Delta National Heritage AreacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on the Top 40 Mississippi Delta Attractions project highlighting the region's cultural, historical, and natural treasures, enhancing visitor experiences to the Delta.
• Cleveland Rotary ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the Youth Leadership Council program, empowering high school students through public speaking, event production, and community engagement.
• Royal StudioscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on the Willie Mitchell & The Music of Royal Studios exhibit, telling the story of the iconic Memphis studio. Currently owned and operated by Lawrence 'Boo' Mitchell (son of Willie Mitchell), Royal Studios is one of the oldest perpetually operated recording studios in the world, recording hits for artists including Bruno Mars, Al Green, and John Mayer.
• Regions BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor for Have Yourself a Delta Little Christmas! event alongside Earth Data Incorporation, supporting the museum's signature holiday fundraising program.
• Visit MississippicoreGTM or Marketing PartnerState tourism organization sponsoring exhibits (Taylor Swift: Through the Eras, The Killer The Preacher and the Cowboy) and programs (David Porter event, North Mississippi Allstars Spotlight), driving tourism to the museum and Delta region.
• Quality SteelcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of the 2025 'Brass and Bayou' Gala that raised $220,000 for music education programs. Quality Steel's Chairman Jim Tims serves on the Board of Directors.
• Cannon Motors of MississippiminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the 2025 'Brass and Bayou' Gala supporting music education fundraising.
• Kirk AutominorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the 2025 'Brass and Bayou' Gala supporting music education fundraising.
• Paul Janoush FamilyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the 2025 'Brass and Bayou' Gala supporting music education fundraising. Paul Janoush is a board leadership member.
• Whole CellarsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the 2025 'Brass and Bayou' Gala supporting music education fundraising.
• Cleveland Music FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit organization established in 2011 responsible for building and operating GRAMMY Museum Mississippi as an affiliate of GRAMMY Museum in Los Angeles. The foundation provides governance through its Board of Directors and supports the mission to honor music history and preserve music's cultural legacy.
• Sun RecordscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of 'The Killer, The Preacher and the Cowboy: The Family Legacy of Jerry Lee Lewis, Jimmy Swaggart and Mickey Gilley' exhibit, celebrating three music icons from Louisiana and Mississippi.
• The Cotton House HotelminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Mary Ryan Brown Women's History Month program, with exclusive post-show meet and greet hosted at the hotel's Bar Fontaine venue.
• Mississippi Public BroadcastingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing professional development event for teachers exploring civil rights content through the 'Everlasting: Life and Legacy of Medgar Evers' documentary and podcast.
• GRAMMY Museum Los AngelescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent affiliate museum in Los Angeles providing exhibit content, curatorial support, and GRAMMY brand affiliation. Reciprocal membership benefits exist between the two museums.
• Mississippi Library CommissionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for professional development event celebrating America's 250th Anniversary, expanding educational reach through library networks.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Delta Blues Museum: Located in Clarksdale, Mississippi in the same Delta region, this museum preserves and presents blues music history with exhibits and educational programs. Highly comparable in geographic focus, size, and educational mission tied to Mississippi's musical heritage.
• Stax Museum of American Soul Music: Memphis-based music museum in the Mid-South region celebrating soul music history with interactive exhibits and educational programs. Comparable in scale, regional focus on a music genre with deep Southern roots, and educational mission.
• GRAMMY Museum Los Angeles: The flagship GRAMMY Museum and direct parent affiliate, operating the same brand identity and mission to celebrate music history and the GRAMMY Awards. Reciprocal membership benefits exist between the two institutions, and content/curatorial support flows from LA to Mississippi.
• B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center: Located in Indianola, Mississippi in the Delta, this museum honors B.B. King and interprets blues heritage. Highly comparable as a single-location Mississippi music museum with educational programming and a focus on Delta music legacy.
• Motown Museum: Detroit-based music museum housed at the original Motown Records studio (Hitsville U.S.A.), celebrating a specific music label and genre with interactive exhibits. Comparable as a genre/label-focused music museum with strong educational mission and visitor experience.
• Memphis Music Hall of Fame: Memphis-based institution honoring music legends with exhibits and inductions, located in a neighboring music heritage city to Cleveland, MS. Comparable in celebrating Southern music history and providing visitor experiences tied to regional musical identity.
• National Blues Museum: St. Louis-based museum dedicated to preserving and celebrating blues music history with interactive exhibits and live programming. Comparable in mission, exhibit-driven visitor experience, and educational programming tied to blues heritage.
• Woody Guthrie Center: Tulsa-based music museum celebrating the legacy of Woody Guthrie and American folk music with interactive exhibits and educational programming. Listed as a reciprocal membership partner and comparable in scale and music-heritage focus.

Broad incumbents

• Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: A larger, more established music museum in Cleveland, Ohio offering exhibits on music history, with significantly higher visitor volume, national profile, and endowment. Listed as a reciprocal membership partner for top-tier Grammy Museum Mississippi members.
• Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum: Nashville-based music museum focused on country music history with permanent and temporary exhibits, educational programs, and a much larger visitor base. Comparable as a genre-focused music heritage institution with strong educational programming.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/GRAMMYMuseumMS
• Facebookfacebook.com/grammymuseummississippi
• Instagraminstagram.com/grammymuseummississippi
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/grammy-museum-mississippi

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Grammy Museum Mississippi