Museum of Pop Culture

The Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) is a cultural museum in Seattle dedicated to contemporary popular culture, with particular emphasis on music, science fiction, and related media. Its sculptural building was designed by Frank Gehry and is located on the Seattle Center campus next to the Space Needle.

Permanent and temporary galleries cover topics such as rock and pop music history, sound and recording technology, video games and interactive media, and science fiction. The museum includes large-format spaces for performances and events and maintains educational and research programs.

MoPOP was founded by Paul Allen and opened initially as the Experience Music Project; it has since broadened its remit to encompass multiple strands of pop culture while keeping strong music-collection components. The museum also houses the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame.

The museum is situated at Seattle Center in central Seattle.

• Architecture and location: The museum building was designed by architect Frank Gehry and sits on the Seattle Center campus adjacent to the Space Needle.
• Founding and focus: Founded by Paul Allen and originally opened as the Experience Music Project, the institution emphasizes music, popular culture and interactive exhibits.

What to See #

• Sky Church: A multi-purpose interior space used for concerts, talks and large-scale video and light shows integrated into the museum's exhibitions.
• Music and interactive galleries: Hands-on and sound-focused exhibits, including the interactive Sound Lab and displays of rock and pop instruments within the museum's music collections.
• Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame: The Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame, a permanent display housed within the museum that honors creators in those genres.