Grammy Museum at L.A. Live

Opened in 2008, the Grammy Museum at L.A. Live is dedicated to history, significance, and preservation of all forms of music, from classical to hip-hop. A particular emphasis is paid to those artists who have won Grammy Awards. The museum features permanent, traveling and interactive exhibits that explore music's impact on the world as well as the technology that has helped (and continues) to shape music to where it is today. On display include a wide range of memorabilia, photographs, and clothing worn by Grammy winners. The museum also features a 200-seat theater that hosts live performances and lectures. Other programming includes seminars, classes, film screenings, and free public programs with artists.

The Grammy Museum opened in 2008, the year that the Grammy Awards turned fifty. The first Grammy Awards took place on the evening of May 4th, 1959, when a formal, black-tie dinner and awards ceremony was held at the Grand Ballroom of the Beverly Hilton. At the same time, other Academy members met at a similar dinner event in New York City. Henry Mancini won Album of the Year for "The Music From Peter Gunn;" other nominees were two albums by Frank Sinatra and albums by Ella Fitzgerald and Van Cliburn. Domenico Modugno won Record of the Year for "Volare," beating Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee, Perry Como, and David Seville and the Chipmunks. The second Grammy Awards, in November 1959, was the first to be televised.

Unlike most other music awards, the nominees and winners are determined solely by their peers, other music creators. It's not unusual for 20,000 entries to be submitted to the Recording Academy for consideration for a Grammy each year!

The museum gift shop is on the first floor near the entrance and the exhibits are on floors two through four.

Grammy Museum. About Us, Grammy Museum at L.A. Live. Accessed May 7, 2018. https://www.grammymuseum.org/explore/about-us. 

Recording Academy. About, Recording Academy. April 1st, 2025. Accessed May 3rd, 2025. https://www.recordingacademy.com/about.

Recording Academy. 1st Annual GRAMMY Awards, Recording Academy. January 1st, 2025. Accessed May 3rd, 2025. https://www.grammy.com/awards/1st-annual-grammy-awards.