Artifact as Inspiration: Using existing collections and management systems to inform and create new narrative structures

Experience Music Project (EMP), which opened in Seattle, Washington, in June 2000, is an interactive, experiential museum dedicated to exploring creativity and innovation in American popular music. The museum features a broad range of exhibits of rock 'n' roll memorabilia, such as lyrics, photographs, and musical equipment, and a variety of immersive, multimedia experiences. Part of EMP's mandate is to capture the energy and excitement of music through patron participation, including hands-on activities such as "Sound Lab" and "On Stage" and to use the latest interactive technology to improve the patron's experience. EMP's Online Development team chose Plumb Design, an interactive services and software firm in New York City experienced in standalone and complementary digital exhibits, to collaborate on both the museum's main site, www.emplive.com, and its companion virtual exhibit, the EMP Digital Collection. This paper will focus on the latter.