GEOGRAPHIC GALLERIES

Travel the world through music.

MIM displays more than 4,200 instruments representing all the world’s countries and many territories. In the Geographic Galleries, guests can see, hear, and experience musical traditions from every corner of the globe.

The Geographic Galleries focus on major world regions: Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Oceania, Latin America, Europe, and United States / Canada. Many of the instruments displayed are rare examples, the finest of their kind, historically significant, or part of distinctive musical cultures. Video monitors with footage of musical performances show instruments played in their original contexts.

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Inside the Geographic Galleries

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Rare Mandolins from the Zéliker Collection

MIM recently acquired the Zéliker Collection, which contains 64 rare, interesting, and beautiful mandolins from around the world.
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Rare Mandolins from the Zéliker Collection Now at MIM Image

Mahmoud Ali Ūd Image

An Instrument’s Hundred-Year Journey to MIM

Crafted in Egypt in 1919, this ‘ūd has entranced listeners around the world with its unique sound quality and imaginative design.
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Support MIM’s galleries and collection

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Go behind the scenes of MIM’s exhibits

Wayang Kulit at the Indonesia Gamelan Exhibit

Installing the Robjohn Pipe Organ

Orientation Gallery

The Totem Pole and Box Drum

United States / Canada Gallery

3-D Orchestra Display

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