Please give a brief description of what your business does:
The Museum of Making Music tells the story of a century of music making in America. Unlike some other music museums, the MoMM does not focus exclusively on one aspect of music (i.e., it does not look solely at instruments, or at musical genres, or at celebrity status). Instead, it concentrates on the connections between these equally important elements, and presents a broader view of the music making cycle. From design and manufacturing, marketing and distribution, to education and performance, the MoMM tells the story of the musical tools that enable us to make, hear, listen to and enjoy popular music.
Executive's name: Carolyn Grant
Title: Executive Director
Company name: Museum of Making Music
Address: 5790 Armada Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Phone: (760) 438-5996, Ext. 209
Web site: www.museumofmakingmusic.org
Founded: Open to the public in March, 2000.
Source of starting capital: NAMM, the International Music Products Association.
Average hours worked weekly: 50
Number of teammates: 6 staff and 50 volunteers.
Residence: Encinitas, CA
Family: Husband, Richard
Hobbies: I study piano, run 12 miles/week, continually seek out interesting music (new and old), as well as innovative musical instruments and products, and I write.
What got you into this business?
My two prevailing interests in life are music and museums. Several years ago, I went through a career change and looked for a job that would combine those two passions. In 1998 I found the MoMM, interviewed for a job, and have been here ever since. My interest in museums stems from being the daughter of an archaeologist and from my years living and working in our historic home in Antigua, Guatemala. And music has always been an integral part of who I am.
What makes your business a standout?
The MoMM is the only music museum in the world with such a unique focus. It is a young institution with a talented, energetic and creative staff that continuously strives to make the museum a vibrant community resource with changing exhibits and educational programming.
Currently, in addition to the permanent displays, the Museum is presenting an exhibit outlining the science and artistry of the electric guitar pickup (featuring the “World's Largest Pickup” and the original Gibson prototype “Humbucker” pickup), as well as a special collection of drum pedals dating back to 1900.
Drawbacks to your line of business:
1. Trying to capture the intangible richness of music within the confines of a physical structure.
2. Providing something for everyone's musical taste.
Why is your company headquartered in Carlsbad?
The Museum is located in Carlsbad because we are affiliated with NAMM, the International Music Products Association, and housed on the first floor of the NAMM building. NAMM has been in Carlsbad since 1984.
How do you plan to grow?
The Museum must continuously develop and diversify its base of financial support through donations, sponsorships, grants, museum memberships, admissions, and merchandise sales. On June 11 we will host our second annual “Evening of Note” fundraiser at which pianist Kevin Cole will play the stunning Steinway & Sons Roger Williams Gold Piano (which made its debut during special ceremonies at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta last October). Increased support will enable us to bring new technology to our exhibits, update our displays, and further develop our educational offerings.
Toughest career decision:
Leaving a tenured position at a college and striking out on my own.
Ongoing challenges:
1. Devising ways to help people to remember the museum's full name. Other versions we have heard: Music Museum, Museum of Music Making, Museum of Music, even Museum of Mickey Music!
2. Using the acronym “MoMM.”
3. Explaining what “NAMM” stands for.
4. Explaining the phrase “making music” in 10 words or less.
Best way to stay competitive:
Find your niche and stick to it … Re-evaluate … Find your niche and stick to it … Re-evaluate …
In five years, where would you like your business to be?
We endeavor to make the Museum of Making Music widely known as a unique California destination and a leader in public education experiences that both foster a passion for making music and reveal the inner workings of the innovation, design and distribution of musical instruments and products.
What does your company contribute to the Carlsbad community?
We host Family Activity Days, a music-oriented Film Series (join us for “Straight, No Chaser” on May 28), a lecture series (join us May 6 for “The Golden Days of Radio”), interactive student fieldtrips, an internship program for high school and college students, up-close-and-personal performances by local, national and international artists, museum tours, workshops (drumming and songwriting, for example) and periodic “Meet the Music Maker” events. We also have a unique Museum Store.
What are your guiding principles?
Logical thinking processes, sound financial management, open-mindedness, humor, innovation, flexibility, perseverance.
What's one thing other people do not know about you?
I do my best work between 4:00 and 6:00 in the morning.
What would you change if you could do it all over again?
I would have started living near the ocean a lot sooner.
Choice for a second career:
After much contemplation, I cannot think of anything else I'd rather be doing.
People you look up to and why:
People who develop new ways to express themselves musically. People who keep traditional music making alive. People who combine diverse art forms to create a new form of expression.
Favorite movie:
“La Belle et la Bete” (Jean Cocteau, 1946)
Favorite quote:
“Do the thing you think you cannot do.” (Eleanor Roosevelt)
Advice for new entrepreneurs:
Do the thing you think you cannot do.
The Museum of Making Music tells the story of a century of music making in America. Unlike some other music museums, the MoMM does not focus exclusively on one aspect of music (i.e., it does not look solely at instruments, or at musical genres, or at celebrity status). Instead, it concentrates on the connections between these equally important elements, and presents a broader view of the music making cycle. From design and manufacturing, marketing and distribution, to education and performance, the MoMM tells the story of the musical tools that enable us to make, hear, listen to and enjoy popular music.
Executive's name: Carolyn Grant
Title: Executive Director
Company name: Museum of Making Music
Address: 5790 Armada Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Phone: (760) 438-5996, Ext. 209
Web site: www.museumofmakingmusic.org
Founded: Open to the public in March, 2000.
Source of starting capital: NAMM, the International Music Products Association.
Average hours worked weekly: 50
Number of teammates: 6 staff and 50 volunteers.
Residence: Encinitas, CA
Family: Husband, Richard
Hobbies: I study piano, run 12 miles/week, continually seek out interesting music (new and old), as well as innovative musical instruments and products, and I write.
What got you into this business?
My two prevailing interests in life are music and museums. Several years ago, I went through a career change and looked for a job that would combine those two passions. In 1998 I found the MoMM, interviewed for a job, and have been here ever since. My interest in museums stems from being the daughter of an archaeologist and from my years living and working in our historic home in Antigua, Guatemala. And music has always been an integral part of who I am.
What makes your business a standout?
The MoMM is the only music museum in the world with such a unique focus. It is a young institution with a talented, energetic and creative staff that continuously strives to make the museum a vibrant community resource with changing exhibits and educational programming.
Currently, in addition to the permanent displays, the Museum is presenting an exhibit outlining the science and artistry of the electric guitar pickup (featuring the “World's Largest Pickup” and the original Gibson prototype “Humbucker” pickup), as well as a special collection of drum pedals dating back to 1900.
Drawbacks to your line of business:
1. Trying to capture the intangible richness of music within the confines of a physical structure.
2. Providing something for everyone's musical taste.
Why is your company headquartered in Carlsbad?
The Museum is located in Carlsbad because we are affiliated with NAMM, the International Music Products Association, and housed on the first floor of the NAMM building. NAMM has been in Carlsbad since 1984.
How do you plan to grow?
The Museum must continuously develop and diversify its base of financial support through donations, sponsorships, grants, museum memberships, admissions, and merchandise sales. On June 11 we will host our second annual “Evening of Note” fundraiser at which pianist Kevin Cole will play the stunning Steinway & Sons Roger Williams Gold Piano (which made its debut during special ceremonies at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta last October). Increased support will enable us to bring new technology to our exhibits, update our displays, and further develop our educational offerings.
Toughest career decision:
Leaving a tenured position at a college and striking out on my own.
Ongoing challenges:
1. Devising ways to help people to remember the museum's full name. Other versions we have heard: Music Museum, Museum of Music Making, Museum of Music, even Museum of Mickey Music!
2. Using the acronym “MoMM.”
3. Explaining what “NAMM” stands for.
4. Explaining the phrase “making music” in 10 words or less.
Best way to stay competitive:
Find your niche and stick to it … Re-evaluate … Find your niche and stick to it … Re-evaluate …
In five years, where would you like your business to be?
We endeavor to make the Museum of Making Music widely known as a unique California destination and a leader in public education experiences that both foster a passion for making music and reveal the inner workings of the innovation, design and distribution of musical instruments and products.
What does your company contribute to the Carlsbad community?
We host Family Activity Days, a music-oriented Film Series (join us for “Straight, No Chaser” on May 28), a lecture series (join us May 6 for “The Golden Days of Radio”), interactive student fieldtrips, an internship program for high school and college students, up-close-and-personal performances by local, national and international artists, museum tours, workshops (drumming and songwriting, for example) and periodic “Meet the Music Maker” events. We also have a unique Museum Store.
What are your guiding principles?
Logical thinking processes, sound financial management, open-mindedness, humor, innovation, flexibility, perseverance.
What's one thing other people do not know about you?
I do my best work between 4:00 and 6:00 in the morning.
What would you change if you could do it all over again?
I would have started living near the ocean a lot sooner.
Choice for a second career:
After much contemplation, I cannot think of anything else I'd rather be doing.
People you look up to and why:
People who develop new ways to express themselves musically. People who keep traditional music making alive. People who combine diverse art forms to create a new form of expression.
Favorite movie:
“La Belle et la Bete” (Jean Cocteau, 1946)
Favorite quote:
“Do the thing you think you cannot do.” (Eleanor Roosevelt)
Advice for new entrepreneurs:
Do the thing you think you cannot do.