Signature Event activities are included with paid museum admission; free for members.
Tickets for Acoustic America: Iconic Guitars, Mandolins, and Banjos are $7 with paid museum admission or $10 special exhibition only for ages 20 and up, $4 for ages 4–19, and free for ages 3 and under.
Discover the stories behind America’s most iconic folk, blues, and bluegrass instruments in our new special exhibition.
Programming supported in part by the Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture and Arizona Commission on the Arts
Craft: Banjo 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. South El Río Make your very own banjo!
Instrument Spotlight: Autoharp 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. North El Río Strum a melody on the autoharp, a string instrument from the zither family.
Photo Booth 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. El Río Have your picture taken in our hands-free photo booth! Digitally share your pictures and tag us with #MIMphx for a chance to be featured on our social media.
Instrument Demonstration: Banjo 1:30–1:45 p.m. Central El Río Hear a quick and fun banjo demonstration with MIM’s curator for United States / Canada, Rich Walter.
Curator Talk: Rich Walter 2:30–3:00 p.m. Event Room 2 Join Rich Walter, curator for United States / Canada, for a talk about the musical influences and traditions of acoustic instruments.
Lecture and Instrument Demonstration: Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery 11:30 a.m.–noon Event Room 2 Learn about the craftsmanship of guitars with the Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery, the longest-running guitar-making school in North America.
Gallery Tour and Q&A with Curator: Rich Walter 12:30–1:00 p.m. Target Gallery Explore Acoustic America with Rich Walter, MIM’s curator for United States / Canada.
Performance: The Badly Bent 1:15–2:00 p.m. Main Courtyard Listen to the Americana sounds of the Badly Bent.
Curator Talk: Rich Walter 2:30–3:00 p.m. Event Room 2 Join Rich Walter, curator for United States / Canada, for a lecture on the musical influences and traditions of acoustic instruments.
Performance: Eric Ramsey 3:15–4:00 p.m. Main Courtyard Listen to bluegrass and the blues from International Blues Challenge winner .
Programming is subject to change.
Lunch at Café Allegro Offered daily 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. Enjoy a menu of delicious global cuisine with fresh entrées, salads, soups, and grill items showcasing local produce and flavors from around the world.
Shop the Museum Store In celebration of the opening of Acoustic America, the Museum Store will feature a selection of special exhibition-themed merchandise, along with the handsome new catalog Acoustic America: Iconic Guitars, Mandolins, and Banjos.
Members can save an extra 10% in the Museum Store during the opening weekend of Acoustic America, November 10–12, in addition to their year-round 10% discount. Members can also save an additional 10% online with the code Celebrate2023.
Every purchase benefits MIM and its programs.
Top banner image: Deluxe 1929 Dobro Model 125, Loan courtesy of LeRoy McNees
