Georgia Music Hall of Fame

The Georgia Music Hall of Fame was located in downtown Macon, Georgia, United States, from 1996 until it closed in 2011. The Hall of Fame preserved and interpreted the state's musical heritage through programs of collection, exhibition, education and performance; it attempted to foster an appreciation for Georgia music and tried to stimulate economic growth through a variety of dynamic partnerships and initiatives statewide. The Hall of Fame closed due to low attendance and reduced state funding.Mercer University purchased the former Hall of Fame building in June 2012; the university will use the building for expanded programs within its School of Medicine.ExhibitsThe Georgia Music Hall of Fame's permanent exhibit space was designed to resemble a Georgia town where venues such as the Jazz and Swing Club, Vintage Vinyl and Rhythm & Blues Revue house artifacts, interpretive text and audio visual elements. Temporary exhibits included "Keeps Calling Me Home: A Gram Parsons Retrospective", "Let Freedom Sing: Music and the Civil Rights Movement" and '"Otis Redding: I’ve Got Dreams to Remember", named “Museum Exhibition of the Year” in 2008 by the Georgia Association of Museums and Galleries.EducationEducation was at the core of the Georgia Music Hall of Fame’s mission. The Billy Watson Music Factory served children grades pre-K through elementary by encouraging the exploration of musical concepts like rhythm, melody and composition in a hands-on learning environment. MIKE (Music in Kid’s Education) provided a series of programs offering live music performances and music instruction opportunities throughout the year.