THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSIC

FISK JUBILEE SINGERS TRAVELING EXHIBIT ON MAY 10, 2025, THE GROUNDBREAKING TRAVELING EXHIBITION "CELEBRATING THE FISK JUBILEE SINGERS' SACRED JOURNEY," OPENED AT THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSIC. NASHVILLE IS THE INAUGURAL HOST SITE FOR THE 2,500 SQUARE-FOOT INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE, WHICH TELLS THE REMARKABLE STORY OF HOW A GROUP OF STUDENT PERFORMERS FROM NASHVILLE'S FISK UNIVERSITY TRANSFORMED AMERICAN MUSIC AND SOCIETY IN THE LATE 1800S. THROUGH STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS WITH HBCUS, AFRICAN AMERICAN CHURCHES, AND CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS ACROSS THE SOUTHEAST, NMAAM SECURED COMMITMENTS FOR THE EXHIBIT TO REACH MILLIONS OF VISITORS OVER ITS MULTI-YEAR TOUR. THE PROJECT EXEMPLIFIES NMAAM'S MISSION IN ACTION PRESERVING AND CELEBRATING AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSICAL HERITAGE WHILE CREATING EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES THAT WILL INSPIRE NEW GENERATIONS TO APPRECIATE THE ENDURING IMPACT OF THESE PIONEERING PERFORMERS.FROM NOTHING TO SOMETHING (FN2S) IS DESIGNED TO ENGAGE YOUTH IN THE MUSICAL AND LYRICAL CONSTRUCTION OF AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSICAL TRADITIONS AND HELP THEM UNDERSTAND SOCIETAL FACTORS THAT HAVE INFLUENCED THE CREATION AND INNOVATION OF MUSIC BY AFRICAN AMERICANS. THROUGH FN2S, STUDENTS CONNECT THE INSTRUMENT TO GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATIONS, CULTURAL ORIGINS, AND THE CONDITIONS OF HOW THE INSTRUMENT WAS USED IN AMERICA USING EVERYDAY OBJECTS SUCH AS SPOONS AND CIGAR BOXES TO CREATE HARMONIZING MELODIES.INTERLUDES CAMP IS A 5-DAY PROGRAM THAT TAKES PLACE AT THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSIC DURING FALL, WINTER, SPRING, AND SUMMER BREAKS. THE PROGRAM ALLOWS STUDENTS FROM TITLE 1 SCHOOLS TO IMMERSE THEMSELVES IN THE RICH WORLD OF MUSIC PRODUCTION WHILE MAINTAINING ACADEMIC MOMENTUM. BEYOND MUSIC INSTRUCTION, STUDENTS BECOME PRODUCERS, CURATORS, AND PERFORMERS OF THEIR OWN MUSICAL STORY. NMAAM'S RIVERS OF RHYTHM INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL EDUCATION (RRISE) CONTINUES TO PROVIDE A SPACE FOR EDUCATORS THROUGH A HYBRID IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL FORMAT THAT MAKES THE PROGRAM ACCESSIBLE TO ALL. EDUCATORS LEARNED HOW TO INFUSE CLASSROOM EXPERIENCES WITH ENGAGING STORIES AND TOOLS THAT TEACH CORE CURRICULUM WHILE EXPANDING HOW THEY AND THEIR STUDENTS VIEW EVERYDAY LIFE THROUGH THE LENS OF AFRICAN AMERICAN CONTRIBUTIONS AND IMPACT.