The Museum of Pop Culture (MOPOP) maintains a diverse collection of over 85,000 artifacts that serve as touchstones for contemporary popular culture. The permanent collection encompasses a wide range of materials - from artworks and musical instruments to archival documents and couture fashions. As custodians of this important cultural legacy, MOPOP's Curatorial and Collections teams are tasked with the critical responsibilities of documenting, preserving, and exhibiting these objects in ways that honor their historical significance and inspire future generations. Whether it's a vintage guitar used by a legendary musician or a costume from a seminal science fiction film, each item in the MOPOP collection represents a tangible link to the creative triumphs and cultural milestones that have shaped the popular imagination.
The acquisition of artifacts is a key initiative in MOPOP's ability to continue growing as an organization. We acquire artifacts and archives that broaden and deepen the value of our current holdings for exhibitions, research and educational resources. By strategically and ethically growing the collection, MOPOP ensures that its offerings remain vibrant, relevant, and responsive to the evolving landscape of popular culture. Each new artifact represents a valuable touchstone, enriching the institution's ability to engage visitors, foster intellectual discourse, and inspire future generations.
At the Museum of Pop Culture (MOPOP), we accession materials that capture the essence and history of beloved pop culture touchstones. Through this ongoing process, we can gather a diverse array of primary source materials that provide a firsthand look into the creative minds and practices that have shaped our shared pop culture landscape. These materials include primary source documents, such as original artwork, which provide a firsthand look at the creative process behind iconic pieces. Musical instruments connected to artists are also significant, offering a tangible link to the music and performances that have shaped cultural landscapes. Costumes and textiles play a crucial role in the collection, showcasing the fashion and personal style of influential figures. Additionally, the museum preserves journals, original sketches, images, writings, and film scripts, all of which offer deeper insights into the thoughts and ideas that drive creative expression. These diverse materials collectively contribute to MOPOP's mission of celebrating and preserving the rich tapestry of pop culture.
MOPOP preserves pop culture history by collecting and preserving material culture artifacts. The museum accepts object donations and bequests on a case-by-case basis. Donating artworks, ephemera, memorabilia, or historical artifacts to our collection is an excellent way of supporting MOPOP.
We review objects by appointment. The Curatorial and Collections Departments meet to review potential gifts and donations. Please fill out our Curatorial Inquiry form if you are interested in donating or setting up a bequest.
Please do not bring item(s) to the museum without making prior arrangements with the MOPOP Curatorial staff. Item(s) mailed without prior communication or left at the museum may be disposed of or transferred as the museum determines appropriate, without contacting the sender.
Outgoing Loans: MOPOP lends permanent collection objects to other nonprofit museums, institutions, galleries, and other qualified borrowers to promote understanding and appreciation of pop culture. All objects are loaned solely for public exhibition and educational purposes.
Making Loan Requests: Loans are made in response to a written request from the borrower and are subject to a formal loan agreement created by MOPOP. Loan request letters must be submitted at least six months in advance of the exhibition's start time.
Loan request letters should be sent to [email protected]. Requests should include a current Facilities Report for all intended venues. A copy of the borrower’s insurance policy or proof of insurance may be requested.
Loan Fee and Costs: Outgoing loans may be subject to an outgoing loan fee. In addition, the borrower may be subject to paying all associated costs for the loan, including shipping, packing/crating, conservation, and courier expenses (this may include airfare, lodging, per diem and ground transportation). Costs of conservation, photography for condition reports, and mounts or framing may also be charged to the borrower. All packing and shipping arrangements must be approved by MOPOP in advance.
The MOPOP permanent collection is available to researchers, scholars, and anyone seeking to do more in-depth pop culture-focused research. While we don’t have a dedicated research facility, we are happy to provide access to the collection digitally and can accommodate in-person visits on a case-by-case basis. Please contact [email protected] with information on your project.
MOPOP can provide access to digital versions and image/footage reproduction services of most objects or oral histories in the collection. Permission for use is granted at the sole discretion of MoPOP and where MoPOP is the copyright owner.
Although MOPOP holds copyright to the images themselves, the items featured within may be subject to additional copyright. Requestor is solely responsible for obtaining any additional permissions required for publication related to copyright protections of items requested and provided. MOPOP will make a reasonable effort to connect the requestor with the copyright holder if known.
How to request use or reproductions:
Review the fee schedule.
Complete the inquiry form with the materials of interest and their intended use. All requests are processed in the order they are received. Approximate response periods vary based on the demand and material requested, but someone will reach out to assist with the initial request within two weeks.
Once the request is finalized and approved, MoPOP will provide an invoice and relevant paperwork. The invoice must be paid in full, and the paperwork signed before image(s) or oral histories are released to you. Licensing paperwork will only be completed when MoPOP holds the copyright to the materials.
The images or requested material will be provided digitally. We do not provide paper photocopies.
MOPOP permanent collection items and oral history reproductions often include staff time and expertise to complete. Reproductions and digitization are performed by museum staff, trained in the use of scanners and cameras that are designed to minimize potential object damage. Reproduction fees reflect this staff time.
The following fees will be assessed for the digitization of objects/media from MOPOP’s collection. When the completed request form is returned, an invoice and relevant paperwork will be issued for the fee charges. The charges must be paid in full before orders will be processed. Fees will not be refunded.
Service Fees (See non-profit use statement below)
Most images will be 300ppi at 6 inches on the longest side, unless additional resolutions are requested.
Discounts on fees may be offered for non-profit uses, research, or for self-published works. MOPOP reserves the right to waive or modify fees or other requirements on an individual basis at the discretion of MOPOP. Such waiver of fees can be made only upon approval of written application.
MOPOP's collection strategy is guided by several principles. These include the prioritization of representative narratives across various subject areas, a commitment to excellence over quantity, the acquisition of outstanding artifacts that reflect contemporary pop culture, the intention to display and make these items accessible for the benefit of the public, and the assurance of appropriate care within our available resource capacities.
MOPOP's vision is to establish a permanent collection that encompasses both tangible and intangible artifacts related to pop culture and material culture. This initiative aims to enhance the understanding of our existing collections, encourage innovative discussions, challenge conventional paradigms of pop culture themes, and advance our mission and core values.
MOPOP is interested in acquiring artifacts related to music, gaming, film and television, fashion, literature and comics, social and cultural movements, and more.
MOPOP's acquisitions focus on provenance, documentation, connection, and individual quality, with a commitment to acquiring the best examples of tangible and intangible pop culture artifacts.
New acquisitions are evaluated by the Curatorial and Collections Departments. MOPOP acquires new materials through methods such as targeted proactive approaches, commissions, responding to donation offers, monitoring reputable dealers and auctions, and bequests.
When considering new acquisitions for MOPOP's permanent collection, the Curatorial team applies a rigorous set of criteria. First and foremost, the artifact or material must hold demonstrable cultural significance, representing a notable milestone or innovation that has resonated with the public. Additionally, the item must provide valuable historical context and unique insights, offering a rare or one-of-a-kind perspective not already well-represented in the collection. Careful attention is also paid to the physical condition and provenance of the acquisition, ensuring its suitability for long-term preservation and exhibition. Crucially, all new additions must directly support MOPOP's mission to collect, preserve, and interpret the history and impact of popular culture, while also lending themselves to meaningful public engagement and educational programming.
At the Museum of Pop Culture (MOPOP), our exhibitions transform public spaces into dynamic storytelling platforms. Using our expansive collection of artifacts, archives, and multimedia, our Curators, Collections, and Exhibitions Departments craft immersive narratives that illuminate the diverse facets of pop culture.
Whether highlighting the journey of a beloved creator, the evolution of a genre, or the profound impact of a creative movement, these exhibitions engage visitors on personal and intellectual levels. The stories may center on icons and innovations of pop culture, or offer unexpected perspectives by examining people, art, and events through a cultural lens.
Through these captivating displays, MOPOP reinforces its role as a leading educational institution dedicated to preserving, interpreting, and celebrating the touchstones that continue to shape our shared experiences. By inviting visitors to explore these narratives, we foster deeper connections, inspire wonder, and cultivate greater appreciation for the rich tapestry of pop culture.
What is your favorite current or recent exhibition at MOPOP?
I have a soft spot for Body of Work: Tattoo Culture because it was my first exhibition at MOPOP, where I forged some of my closest friendships and collaborations. Besides, it was an incredible exhibition that left a lasting impact on me and visitors.
What is your first pop culture memory?
As a fan of Michael Jackson, I will never forget the day my father bought me The Wiz VHS tape at Media Play. He knew me well enough that I would enjoy the movie—since then, I’ve watched The Wiz over 200 times!
What is your first pop culture memory?
My godfather was an A&R Representative for RCA Records before it was absorbed by Arista. One night he arrived for dinner at our house and pulled a vinyl promo copy of KISS Alive 2 out of his trunk and handed it to me. It’s the double album with the back cover shot of Gene Simmons drooling blood- one of his on-stage trademarks. My six-year-old self was sold on rock and roll.
MOPOP's Guest Curator Program provides a dynamic platform for elevating emerging curatorial talents and amplifying fresh perspectives on the museum's permanent and oral history collections. Through this initiative, up-and-coming curators are granted hands-on experience working alongside MOPOP's Curatorial, Collections, and Exhibits teams. This collaborative process not only grants guest curators invaluable professional development, but also infuses the museum's exhibition development and installation with innovative interpretations and novel approaches.
Fostering the growth of these emerging voices is essential for ensuring MOPOP remains at the forefront of the evolving landscape of popular culture. By empowering diverse, forward-thinking curators to leave their mark on the museum's programming, MOPOP cultivates a more inclusive, dynamic, and responsive institution - one that can continue to captivate and inspire its audiences with thought-provoking exhibitions, critical discussions, and critiques.