National Music Centre to Partner With Bruce Springsteen's Archives & Center for American Music
The Canadian music pillar is going global through a new collaboration with The Boss — as well as Steven Van Zandt's TeachRock project — that will explore the interwoven histories of Canadian and American music.
Steven Van Zandt at the partnership announcement on November 15
Canada's National Music Centre (NMC) is joining forces with The Boss.
The Calgary-based facility is launching a new partnership with Bruce Springsteen Archives & Center for American Music. This marks the first international venture for the NMC, which hosts an in-depth archive of Canadian music — including four Canadian music halls of fame — as well as running educational and performance programming.
"National Music Centre is going global through this partnership and bringing the Canadian music story to a wider audience," says NMC President — and 2024 Billboard Canada Power Player — Andrew Mosker.
The initiative will also incorporate Springsteen's E Street Band guitarist Steven Van Zandt and his TeachRock program, which brings arts education resources to classrooms internationally. Van Zandt was on hand at the NMC's King Eddy venue for the partnership announcement on November 15.
Beyond Springsteen memorabilia, the Bruce Springsteen Archives & Center for American Music promotes the tradition of American music. Travelling exhibits, conferences and workshops examine the influence and legacies of artists like Woody Guthrie, Billie Holiday and Frank Sinatra.
The new partnership will provide an opportunity to look at the intertwined histories of popular music in both countries.
"Through this partnership, we’ll create experiences that deepen our understanding of how these two vibrant music scenes have influenced each other and continue to resonate with audiences worldwide," says Robert Santelli, Executive Director of the Bruce Springsteen Archives & Center for American Music.
Initial plans for the collaboration include a one-day symposium exploring Canadian-American musical connections, as well as a joint travelling exhibit in 2026-27.
Springsteen and Van Zandt have been touring Canada over the past month, with two dates left in Edmonton and Vancouver before their world tour heads across the pond. But with the new partnership, maybe they'll be spending some more time north of the border.
Aya NakamuraMarion Gomez/Billboard France