NEW ORLEANS – The National World War II Museum’s epic cinematic production Beyond All Boundaries garnered a ringing endorsement last month when the 4-D cinematic tour de force won the American Association of Museums (AAM) prestigious 2010 Gold MUSE Award, Multimedia Installation. The awards jury called it “an outstanding and amazing project.”

“It’s gratifying that Beyond All Boundaries has been recognized by our colleagues at many of America’s greatest museums,” said Gordon H. “Nick” Mueller, President and CEO of The National World War II Museum in New Orleans. “Young people today have grown up with technology – they learn that way – so to be immersed and bombarded by visual images, and sound and light and moving 3-dimensional objects that enhance the whole story of WWII is the way we approached this production to make the War relevant to the next generation of visitors.”

Actor Tom Hanks served as the executive producer and narrator, and voiceovers of real life characters in the cinematic experience include Kevin Bacon, Corbin Bleu, Patricia Clarkson, Kevin Connolly, James Cromwell, Blythe Danner, Viola Davis, Jessie Eisenberg, John Goodman, Neil Patrick Harris, Kevin Jonas, Justin Long, Tobey Maguire, Daran Norris, Wendell Pierce, Chris Pine, Brad Pitt, Bill Sadler, Gary Sinise and Elijah Wood, among others. The Hettema Group of Pasadena, Calif., led the production’s concept and design. Hettema President and Creative Director Phil Hettema acknowledged Mueller for “his bold vision that first launched Beyond All Boundaries in our imaginations.”

And the Museum has seen a tremendous surge in interest and attendance since opening the Solomon Victory Theater on November 5, 2009, where Beyond All Boundaries plays daily every hour on the hour. Through May, 2010, nearly 240,000 people had visited the Museum since the opening of its expansion. In March, more than 43,300 people came to the Museum – a record number for one month and triple the number of visitors seen in March 2009.

AAM is the leading association of museums worldwide. The MUSE Awards recognize excellence in media produced by or for museums. Categories of media include audio and video tours, interactive kiosks, multimedia installations, and websites. The MUSE judges coordinate international panels of museum media professionals to review and evaluate the entries.
The National World War II Museum tells the story of the American Experience in the war that changed the world – why it was fought, how it was won, and what it means today. Dedicated in 2000 as The National D-Day Museum and now designated by Congress as America’s National World War II Museum, it celebrates the American Spirit, the teamwork, optimism, courage and sacrifice of the men and women who fought on the battlefront and the Home Front. For more information, call 877-813-3329 or 504-527-6012 or visit www.nationalww2museum.org. Follow us on Twitter at WWIImuseum or visit our Facebook fan page.

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