GUITAR
The National GUITAR Museum. Touring Exhibits. Art. History. Pop Culture.
THE GUITAR EXHIBITIONS
AMERICA AT THE CROSSROADS:
The GUITAR & A Changing Nation
SHAPE SHIFTING:
The GUITAR As Modern ARTifact
MEDIEVAL TO METAL:
The Art & Evolution Of The GUITAR
Our touring exhibitions showcase the history and art of the guitar, with each exhibition focusing on a unique aspect of the guitar's role in art, history, and popular culture. Each exhibition has been curated by The National GUITAR Museum and includes artifacts from its permanent collection.
AMERICA AT THE CROSSROADS:
The GUITAR & A Changing Nation
“America At The Crossroads: The GUITAR And A Changing Nation” looks at America’s evolution through the lens of its most popular instrument—an instrument that has been part of our cultural heritage since the country’s founding. The guitar has been a symbol for everything from generational differences and racial divide on to politics, consumer marketing, and fashionable relevance.
Visitors to this exhibition will experience the history and cultural impact of the guitar in an exhibition that contains 40 instruments representing significant moments in America’s evolution—from the earliest Spanish invasion to the nation’s modern status as a global superpower. The artifacts are supplemented with video, photographs, and illustrations that depict important events, artists, and instruments of the last century.
MARKET: History Museums, American Cultural Centers, Civic And Library Centers.
SPECIFICATIONS: 40 Instruments, 10 Video Displays, Wall Banners/Posters.
CROSSROADS SCHEDULE
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum & Library / Grand Rapids, MI: January 27 – May 28, 2023
Museum Of Science & History / Memphis, TN: June 10 – October 23, 2023
Carlsbad Museum / Carlsbad, NM: November 1, 2023 – January 21, 2024
Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience / Meridian, MS: February – April 2024
The California Museum / Sacramento, CA: May – September 2024
Delta Cultural Center / Helena, Arkansas: October 9 – January 3, 2025
Bishop Museum / Bradenton, FL: January 17 – May 18, 2025
Museum Of The Mississippi Delta / Greenwood, MS: May – December 2025
Tampa Bay History Center / Tampa, FL: January – May 2026
Available for Summer 2026!
The unveiling of the electric guitar in the 1950s immediately changed world culture. It transformed music and it changed the ways in which we visualize how music is made and performed. "SHAPE SHIFTING: The GUITAR As Modern Artifact" presents 40 instruments that embody the art of the guitar, and display it as both an instrument and a physical canvas for artists and builders.
This touring exhibition is available for a limited time.
MARKET: Modern Art Museums, Art Galleries, Cultural Centers.
SPECIFICATIONS: 40 Instruments, Wall Banners, Original Design Illustrations, Interpretive Album Covers.
SHAPE SHIFTING SCHEDULE
Museum of Texas Tech / Lubbock, TX: September 2025 – January 2026
Kalamazoo Museum / Kalamazoo, MI: January – May 2026
AVAILABLE FALL 2026
2027
This outstanding touring art exhibition invites visitors to explore the art and design of the world’s most popular instrument. "Medieval To Metal: The Art & Evolution Of The GUITAR" features 40 objects, 20 photographs of acclaimed musicians and their guitars, and photorealistic illustrations of historically important designs. These range from the medieval lute and baroque theorbo on up to modern designs that incorporate gold leaf, acrylic, and carbon fiber.
The exhibition is completely self-contained with display walls, text panels, internal lighting, and an onsite tech for install.
MARKET: Art Museums, Art Galleries, History Museums, Library and Cultural Centers.
SPECIFICATIONS: 40 Instruments, Photorealistic Illustrations, 20 Artist Photographs, Album Covers, Wall Banners/Posters.
M2M SCHEDULE
AVAILABLE – FALL 2026 and 2027
PREVIOUS M2M VENUES
Juliet Art Museum • Midland Galleries • Lauren Rogers Museum Of Art • Reading Public Museum •
Museum Of Art & Science Daytona • Carlsbad Museum • Museum at TTU •
Czech Museum • Currier Art Museum • Stamford Museum • Fort Wayne Museum Of Art •
Appleton Museum • Vero Beach Museum Of Art • Saginaw Art Museum •
Butler Institute Of Art • The Haggin Museum • Sonoma Country Museum •
The Powerhouse Museum • New Mexico Museum Of Art • Woodson Museum Of Art • Loveland Museum •
Whirinaki Museum New Zealand • Art Gallery Of Ballarat Australia • William King Museum Of Art •
Our debut exhibition, "GUITAR: The Instrument That Rocked The World," has closed out its twelve year run after 30 installations. It has been one of the most successful touring exhibitions ever produced. We are honored to have had millions of visitors view this exhibition over the past decade.
Our three current exhibitions:
“America At The Crossroads: The GUITAR And A Changing Nation”
“SHAPE SHIFTING: The GUITAR As Modern Artifact”
“Medieval To Metal: The Art & Evolution Of The GUITAR”
are touring nationally, presenting the history, art, and pop culture through the lens of the guitar.
ABOUT US
The National GUITAR Museum is the world’s first museum dedicated exclusively to the art, history, evolution, and cultural impact of the guitar. The NGM is presenting its Touring Exhibitions to preserve, present, and promote the guitar.
The NGM has assembled a world-class team of guitarists, designers, and production staff to develop the most unique experiences related to the guitar and its artists ever presented.
As of 2022, our exhibitions have been booked into over 50 art museums, history museums, cultural venues, and science centers across America.
The museum is overseen by its executive director, HP Newquist, and is supported by curators, designers, museum professionals, and a Board Of Advisors that includes guitarists Tony Iommi, Steve Vai, Steve Howe, Liona Boyd, Ritchie Blackmore, Al di Meola, and Joe Bonamassa.
EXHIBITION VENUES TO DATE
GUITAR Exhibitions have been hosted in the following museums:
Denver Museum Of Nature & Science • Bullock State Museum • The Durham Omaha • Peoria Riverfront Museum • McWane Science Center • The Castle History Museum • St. Louis Science Center • Cincinnati Museum Center • Museum Of The Rockies • Fort Worth Museum of Science & History • Kalamazoo Museum • Berkshire Museum • Buffalo Museum Of Science • Gulf Coast Exploreum • Whitaker Center • Exploration Place • OMSI • Discovery Place • Imagination Station • Liberty Science Center • Bishop Museum • Fleet Science Center • Museum Of Idaho • Springfield Museums • Science Museum Of Virginia • Carnegie Science Center • Louisville Science Center • Orlando Science Center • Discovery Museum Connecticut • Lauren Rogers Museum Of Art • Reading Public Museum • Museum Of Art & Science Daytona • Carlsbad Museum • Museum at TTU • Czech Museum • Currier Art Museum • Stamford Museum • Fort Wayne Museum Of Art • Appleton Museum • Vero Beach Museum Of Art • Saginaw Art Museum • Butler Institute Of Art • The Haggin Museum • Sonoma Country Museum • The Powerhouse Museum • New Mexico Museum Of Art • Woodson Museum Of Art
