The Obama Foundation shared two major updates on the progress of the Obama Presidential Center. They revealed more details about the Program & Athletic Center and announced President Obama's visit. During his visit, the former president viewed the center's museum's digital media exhibits.
President Obama, known as the “first digital president,” aims to use technology to bring the story of his presidency to life and immerse visitors in living history. During his visit, he explored his two-story prototype of a digital media experience called “Power of Words.” This exhibit showcases how words, including those of the Obamas and other influential figures, have shaped history through speech, voice, song, and poetry. Visitors can discover new perspectives with every touch.
Reaching 88 feet tall, the “Power of Words” exhibit integrates creativity and storytelling into its monumental architecture and becomes the museum's central centerpiece.
“The Obama Presidential Center is a platform for creating positive change in our common future, so we are creating innovative, immersive new forms of storytelling to inspire those who visit the center. ,” said Foundation CEO Valerie Jarrett.
During his visit, President Obama was scheduled to meet with leaders of Moody Nolan, the largest African-American design firm in the United States, and Elevate Design Builders, a joint venture between Bowa Construction and AECOM/Hunt. The Obama Foundation also announced plans to begin construction on the Programs & Athletics Center on Monday, March 11th. Ahead of the president's visit, new images of the center have been released to let people know what to expect.
The Program and Athletic Center will be one of four buildings on campus and will serve as a focal point for activities and gatherings in the Southside community. Inside, there will be a first-class gym and studio for a variety of recreational, wellness and community events. Outside, there are playgrounds, walking trails, and a sledding hill.
The Obama Presidential Center will be a unique civic hub focused on fostering democracy and positive change. It is not just a static institution, but a dynamic space that aims to inspire and empower everyone to make a difference in their communities, countries and globally. Spread across a vibrant 19-acre campus, it offers a variety of spaces, programs, art, and events designed to enable visitors to engage with the pressing issues of our time.
The Program & Athletic Center and park space are expected to open to the public in late 2025. The Obama Presidential Center Museum is scheduled to open to the public in his 2026 year. For more information about the center, please visit https://obama.org. /President-centered/.
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