From Neil Young’s harmonica to the protest anthems of Public Enemy’s Chuck D, a new exhibit at the Royal BC Museum invites visitors to explore the enduring power of music as a force for resistance, identity and change.
Beyond the Beat: Music of Resistance and Change, which opened May 30 and runs until Jan. 5, 2026, is a travelling exhibition from the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg. Spanning more than 1,000 square feet, the immersive display features artifacts, interviews and interactive material that demonstrate how music has inspired movements, challenged injustice and amplified voices across generations.
“This is an exhibit about stories that matter,” says Jodi Giesbrecht, vice-president of archives at the Royal BC Museum. “We wanted to find a way to explore politics and justice in a way that resonates emotionally and is accessible to people of all ages. Music is such a powerful way to do that.”
The exhibit is divided into themed zones, including We Shall Overcome, which highlights music’s role in the American civil rights movement and contemporary racial justice efforts. Another section, Resurgence, focuses on Indigenous artists blending traditional and modern styles as a form of cultural reclamation and resistance.
Items on display include a mask and jacket worn by the Snotty Nose Rez Kids at the Juno Awards, stage outfits from Elton John, and protest memorabilia tied to iconic performers. Visitors receive a scannable disc upon entry, which can be tapped against props like a boombox or jukebox to unlock personal stories behind the music.
“This exhibit is about how artists have shaped public conversations – whether around racial equality, women’s rights or climate justice – through sound,” Giesbrecht says.
Designed to engage all ages, the multigenerational exhibit includes a mini-theatre featuring short films and artist interviews, offering behind-the-scenes insight into the messages behind the music.
“Younger audiences especially love the interactive components,” Giesbrecht adds. “They can pick up a record, scan it and suddenly they’re hearing a story about resilience or resistance that might stick with them.”
She adds that the idea for the exhibit took shape years ago, as the museum sought new ways to engage audiences in conversations around justice and equity. “Political issues can be polarizing,” she says. “But when you come at them through rock and roll, through pop, through the lens of culture, it becomes more approachable.”
For more information, visit royalbcmuseum.bc.ca. The exhibit is on now at the Royal BC Museum, located at 675 Belleville St.