In Toronto, Canada, Mayor Rob Ford officially declared it Bob Marley Day. Cross borders into the United States and the Grammy Museum made the announcement that the Bob Marley Museum on Hope Road in Kingston is the first official affiliate of the Los Angeles-based museum.
The status of affiliate allows the Bob Marley Museum access to the Grammy Museum exhibitions, educational initiatives, research programmes, internship opportunities, collaborative marketing and promotions, technical support for interactive displays and more.
In an interview with The Gleaner, general manager of the Bob Marley Museum, Marie Bruce, said the museum was happy to continue its work with the Grammy Museum and said they were looking forward to the opportunities the new partnership may bring.
“We are honored to upload the trend in Jamaica being number one and we are extremely excited about the partnership, as it will enhance the programs we currently have,” said Bruce.
Bruce also revealed that the affiliation will see the United States-based museum providing the local museum with technological support and will bring the Grammy Messenger exhibition feel to local soil.
Bob Marley
“The Messenger exhibition in Miami has an interactive drumming exhibit that allows the guest to play to Bob Marley’s song while it teaches; that is something we are looking forward to,” Bruce said.
According to Bruce, the first set of artefacts has already arrived in the island and will be placed on show over the next six months, and stated that other artefacts from the overseas museum will arrive at intervals over the course of next year.
Affiliate Programme
According to the Grammy Museum’s official website, talks of an affiliate programme with the Marley family began in 2011 when the popular Bob Marley Messenger exhibition made its debut in their temporary exhibit space in Los Angeles. That exhibit later travelled to London, Toronto, and Miami.
The Bob Marley Museum at 56 Hope Road in Kingston is located at the site of the Reggae icon’s home, which he purchased in 1975, and was his home until his death in 1981.
Having been made a national Heritage site by the Jamaica National Heritage Trust in 2006, the museum offers visitors daily tours of the grounds and gives them a glimpse into Marley’s recording studio, a display of his personal belongings and audiovisual presentations.
