Museum of Making Music

The Museum of Making Music, is a division of the NAMM Foundation of the National Association of Music Merchants, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization located in Carlsbad, California. The museum opened to the public on March 5, 2000.[1] Its mission is to "explore the accomplishments and impact of the music products industry through educational and interactive exhibitions and programs and directly connect visitors with hands-on music making."

Museum of Making Music

Established	2000
Location	5790 Armada Drive Carlsbad, California
Coordinates	33.127646°N 117.317136°W / 33.127646; -117.317136
Type	Music museum
Website	Official Website

The museum's exhibits cover three main components of the music industry: making the instruments, providing the instruments, and using the instruments. The museum's galleries feature more than 450 vintage instruments and artifacts, hundreds of audio samples of popular music and a visitors interactive area with live, hands-on instruments, along with Sit 'N Play areas near the end of the main galleries. In addition to its permanent collection, the museum self-curates temporary exhibitions that revolve around a core theme or idea. These exhibitions are on public display at the museum for 6 to 8 months.

During its first 20 years of existence, the museum curated public exhibits about the history of American popular music, the manufacture and retailing of musical instruments and the history of the music products industry from the 1890s to the present day. In 2020, the museum announced they would undergo a major renovation. The renovation was completed in June 2021.

The museum organizes public events, performances and lectures to entertain, educate and inform audiences about the heritage and benefits of making music.