By MDA Staff Writer | November 6, 2026
CLEVELAND, Miss. — Mississippi students are getting a front-row seat to music history without the price of admission, thanks to an educational opportunity at GRAMMY Museum Mississippi made possible by Atmos Energy.
Beginning in fall 2026, Mississippi school groups are eligible for free museum admission through the sponsorship, opening the door for students across the state to experience music, history and creativity beyond the traditional classroom.
The initiative gives educators an opportunity to introduce students to the artists, instruments and cultural influences that helped shape American music while removing the cost of museum admission from their field trip plans.
For schools throughout the Mississippi Delta, where music is deeply woven into the region’s identity, the program offers an especially meaningful connection between education and the area’s musical heritage.
The museum is encouraging teachers and school administrators to schedule visits while two major exhibitions remain on display: 80s Rock: The Wildest Decade in Music and The Killer, The Preacher and the Cowboy: The Family Legacy of Jerry Lee Lewis, Jimmy Swaggart and Mickey Gilley.
Both exhibitions are scheduled to remain open through December 31, 2026, giving school groups a limited opportunity to experience them before their scheduled closing dates. GRAMMY Museum+1
The 80s Rock exhibition transports visitors into one of the most recognizable periods in popular music, when electric guitars, elaborate stage performances and larger-than-life personalities helped define a generation.
Students can explore memorabilia and instruments associated with influential performers and bands, including Mötley Crüe, Twisted Sister, Def Leppard, Guns N’ Roses, Poison and Lita Ford.
Among the featured artifacts are a Mötley Crüe drum kit, an Ozzy Osbourne stage costume, a Def Leppard bass guitar and memorabilia connected to other prominent rock performers.
The exhibition explores the rise of glam metal and hair metal, the cultural influence of the 1980s music scene and the lasting popularity of artists whose music continues to reach audiences today. GRAMMY Museum
Meanwhile, The Killer, The Preacher and the Cowboy introduces students to the remarkable family connection among three influential figures whose careers followed dramatically different paths.
Jerry Lee Lewis, known for his explosive piano performances and pioneering contributions to rock ’n’ roll, became one of the genre’s most recognizable entertainers.
His cousin Jimmy Swaggart built an internationally recognized religious broadcasting ministry, while another cousin, Mickey Gilley, achieved success in country music and became closely associated with the urban cowboy movement.
The exhibition examines the lives and legacies of the three cousins, whose roots trace to Ferriday, Louisiana, and Natchez, Mississippi, highlighting their influence on music, entertainment and American culture. GRAMMY Museum
Together, the exhibitions offer students more than a look at famous performers. They provide opportunities to examine how music reflects history, geography, family influences, cultural movements and changing generations.
The museum’s educational mission extends beyond its exhibitions. Through interactive displays, guided experiences and hands-on workshops, GRAMMY Museum Mississippi uses music to encourage creativity, collaboration and learning.
Its educational offerings include opportunities to explore Mississippi’s musical heritage, music technology and the science of sound. See our resources!+1
Atmos Energy’s sponsorship helps make these experiences more accessible by eliminating museum admission costs for Mississippi school groups.
The opportunity may be particularly valuable to schools working with limited field trip budgets, allowing more students to experience an educational attraction located in the heart of the Delta.
School group tours are available Monday through Friday, generally between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., including times outside regular public admission hours. Educators can contact museum staff to arrange a visit and discuss available options.
Although the museum has announced free admission for Mississippi school groups, its general student-tour webpage continues to display standard tour and workshop prices. Schools should confirm the sponsorship’s eligibility requirements and whether any optional workshops carry additional fees before finalizing reservations. GRAMMY Museum Mississippi+1
Located at 800 West Sunflower Road in Cleveland, GRAMMY Museum Mississippi continues to serve as an educational and cultural destination, celebrating the music and musicians who have influenced generations.
For students who have never visited a music museum, the experience offers a chance to see history through instruments, artifacts and interactive learning rather than textbooks alone.
With free admission available and two major exhibitions approaching their scheduled closing dates, educators have an opportunity to turn an ordinary school day into a memorable journey through American music.
Teachers, principals and school administrators interested in arranging a field trip can contact GRAMMY Museum Mississippi at 662-441-0100, email education@grammymuseumms.org, or visit the museum’s Student Tours & Workshops page for scheduling information.
For Mississippi students, the next unforgettable lesson in music history could be just one school bus ride away.
Source: GRAMMY Museum Mississippi