Ford, UAW commit $6 million toward $50 million Motown Museum project

DETROIT -- Ford Motor Co. and UAW-Ford have made a joint, $6 million commitment to help fund the Motown Museum expansion near downtown Detroit.

With the grant, the automaker and the union become the lead donor in the campaign, which was announced in mid-October.

Ford declined to say what each organization is contributing.

In recognition of the support, the expanded museum will include:

• The Ford Motor Company Theater, a state-of-the-art performance venue.
• Educational, music and other programming tied to Ford's student and community outreach initiatives.
• CARaoke Experience, an interactive Ford-branded activity that incorporates music with Ford vehicles.
• Ford as the museum's official vehicle.

The commitment to the Motown Museum follows pledges totaling $10 million over the next five years from Ford and the Ford Motor Company Fund to fund, among other things, a renewal of the carmaker's three-year sponsorship of America's Thanksgiving Parade and the Ford Fireworks, and a second Ford Resource and Engagement Center in Detroit to provide community, educational, arts and social services programs.

Located on West Grand Boulevard in the Hitsville U.S.A. house and Studio A , the birthplace of Motown Records, the Motown Museum is in the midst of a $50 million capital campaign to fund the expansion.

In addition to the theater, the 40,000-square-foot expansion will house interactive exhibits, a cafe and expanded retail.

The timeline for the expansion depends on the pace of fundraising, but the museum wants it to happen quickly, Chairwoman and CEO Robin Terry said in October.