The National Blues Museum is a signature project for V Three Studios that will be opening to the public in downtown St. Louis on April 2, 2016. The 23,000 sq ft space has been completely transformed from a turn-of-the-century department store into a modern, interactive celebration of blues music that is anticipated to attract up to 100,000 visitors per year. Along with the exhibit spaces, the museum houses a 100+ person theater and performance space for hosting live concerts and events. The theatre has direct views to the MX district through a glass acoustic wall assembly along Washington Avenue. V3 also designed a flexible workspace that will serve as administrative offices and an educational center for local schools and organizations.
Supported by renowned musicians and personalities such as Buddy Guy, Morgan Freeman, John Goodman, Derek Trucks and Jack White, the National Blues Museum features an array of exhibits and artifacts intended to inform visitors of the heritage of the blues and the effects the genre has had on contemporary music. As visitors move through the exhibits containing memorabilia and artifacts from blues history, a series of interactive touch panels will allow them to become a “Blues Legend” by creating their own pseudonym, lyrics, instrumentation and album artwork. After completing each of the steps, visitors will be able to take their completed “album” home as a souvenir. The museum also includes a real-time interactive music experience called "Jug Band Jammin'" in which users can play traditional blues instruments along with performers on interactive screens. All of these unique features are housed in a rustic yet modern space that is anticipated to become a major tourist attraction in downtown St. Louis.