Museum of Making Music Executive Director Carolyn Grant Set to Conclude Storied NAMM Career

CARLSBAD, CALIF.,  March 6, 2026 – NAMM (The National Association of Music Merchants), the largest global not-for-profit music trade organization, has announced that Carolyn Grant, longtime leader of its Carlsbad-based Museum of Making Music (MoMM) and member of NAMM’s management team, will conclude her NAMM career in the summer of 2026. A national search will begin immediately for the next NAMM Foundation director to oversee the Museum of Making Music, which is dedicated to championing the history and impact of the music and sound products industry and active music making through powerful exhibitions and engaging public-facing musical programs. 

Carolyn’s collaborative leadership style has left an imprint on The Foundation, MoMM and the NAMM organization. This includes curating and crafting hundreds of ground-breaking exhibitions at the museum while also shaping extensive public-facing musical programs for students and adults throughout the years. Beyond her passion for music, Grant’s visionary ideas and unwavering stewardship have resulted in more than 1 million students and visitors patronizing the museum during its 25-year history.  She also guided MoMM through a period of unprecedented growth increasing its relevance to the musical communities it serves.

The Museum of Making Music (MoMM) opened in 2000 and is a program of The NAMM Foundation serving as a dynamic forum for musical storytelling, concerts and lectures. To date, MoMM has raised more than $10 million and will continue fundraising to support its public and student programs throughout the year. 

“Carolyn has made such an incredible impact on NAMM during her storied career, and it will be a bittersweet day in June when she departs,” said John Mlynczak, NAMM president and CEO. “Her passion and daily positive efforts have been a model of professional excellence and have a strong foundation for the future success of our museum and its programs. NAMM is so appreciative of her contributions, creativity and professionalism, all of which have impacted the next generation of music makers.”  

“Leading the Museum of Making Music has been the greatest honor of my career. Together, we have shaped a museum that celebrates the story of our industry while opening doors to music making for learners of all ages. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished and have full confidence that the museum team will continue advancing NAMM and The NAMM Foundation’s vision forward,” said Carolyn Grant, executive director of the MoMM. “My focus over the coming months is to ensure a seamless transition and to set the team up for continued, long-term success.” 

Further details and specifics regarding the position can be found here: 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/namm

Learn more about The NAMM Foundation at https://www.nammfoundation.org/

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