Musical Instrument Museum

MIM displays more than 6,000 instruments collected from around 200 of the world’s countries and territories. Most displays are enhanced by state-of-the-art audio and video technologies that allow guests to see the instruments, hear their sounds, and observe them being played in their original contexts—performances that are often as spectacular as the instruments themselves. What’s more, all guests are invited to play instruments from around the world in the Experience Gallery. They can also see instruments from music icons such as John Lennon, Taylor Swift, Elvis Presley, Carlos Santana, and many more in the Artist Gallery.

TAKE A VIRTUAL TOUR

THE COLLECTION

MIM’s collection includes more than 15,000 musical instruments and artifacts, approximately six thousand of which are displayed at a time and includes instruments from around two hundred countries and territories in the world. Some larger countries have multiple displays with subsections for different types of ethnic, folk, and tribal music. The instruments have both historic and artistic merit and MIM’s goal is to acquire instruments that have been used for folk and tribal occasions wherever possible.
VIEW THE COLLECTIONS

AWARDS

• 2015, 2014, 2013, and 2012 Arizona Foothills Magazine – Best of Our Valley Winner (Museum Category)
• 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, and 2011 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence
• 2014 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice award – #21 Museum in the US
• 2014 and 2013 Phoenix Magazine – Reader’s Pick Award for Best Museum
• 2014 Phoenix Magazine – Best Museum for Killing a Whole Afternoon
• 2014 Jewish News of Greater Phoenix – Best Museum
• 2014 USA Today’s “20 Best Museums for Families Across the USA”
• 2013 Phoenix Magazine – Best Locavore Restaurant
• 2013 Phoenix New Times – Best Place to See Vintage Music Memorabilia
• 2013 Arizona Republic – Critic’s Pick for Best Venue for World Music
• 2013 Phoenix Business Journal – Best Places To Work (Small Business Category)
• 2012 Phoenix Magazine – Best Fun Learning Experiences (workshops at MIM)
• 2012 Phoenix Magazine – Best Elvis Sighting
• 2012 Phoenix New Times – Best Use of Technology in a Museum
• 2012 azcentral.com – Reader’s Choice Award for Best Museum