Welcome to the Obama Presidential Center
The Obama Presidential Center
In the months and years to come, our charge is to create an engaging and welcoming place that will inspire people globally to show up for the most important office in any democracy that of citizen. The Center will be based on the South Side of Chicago but have projects all over the city, the country, and the world.
The Obama Presidential Center will be a living, working center an ongoing project where we will shape, together, what it means to be a good citizen in the 21st century.
President and Mrs. Obama chose to build the Obama Presidential Center on the South Side to give back to the community that has given them so much. The Center will strengthen the economic climate in our community by bringing hundreds of thousands of visitors to Chicago every year, creating new jobs on the South Side, and revitalizing historic Jackson Park in the process.
The Obama Foundation our board, staff, and volunteers are honored to work side by side with community leaders and local institutions, including the Museum of Science and Industry, the DuSable Museum, the University of Chicago, and the City of Chicago on these efforts.
The Obama Presidential Center and its landscape design will blend seamlessly with Jackson Park and the surrounding neighborhoods.
A view of the Obama Presidential Center campus experienced from the south. At the heart of the Center will be a public plaza that extends into the landscape. The museum will anchor the northern end of the plaza, while the roofs of the Library and Forum will be covered with plantings to create new park land. Together these buildings will form a campus, a place for doing and making, as well as looking and learning, and will build upon Jackson Park's history as a public gathering place on the South Side.
A view of the Obama Presidential Center looking north shows the Museum, Forum, and Library. The Museum, the tallest structure on site, will serve as a beacon for the Obama Center and the South Side and mark a visitors arrival. The Library and Forum will be single-story structures with planted terraces. Generous pathways will take visitors from the park to landscaped roofs above these two buildings, offering views of the plaza, the Lagoon, and Lake Michigan.
A Center for Civic Engagement: The Center will be a place for doing.It will include classrooms, labs, and outdoor spaces, and it will conduct programs that provide visitors with experiences that inspire and tools to make thingshappen in their own communities.
The campus will be open to the public, and the Center will include indoor and outdoor spaces for events, trainings, and other gatherings.
Open Design: The Center is designed to re-establish the South Sides connection to the Lagoon and Lake Michigan. Set in the public space of Jackson Park, the Centers campus will invite visitors to flow through the architecture and into the park. This approach will soften the transition between city, landscape, lagoon, and lake.
Sustainability: The Center will be a real-life symbol of the President and Mrs. Obamas commitment to sustainability. The project will, at a minimum, be LEED v4 Platinum, and we are exploring the possibility to surpass those qualifications.
The Center is designed as a campus to integrate into historic Jackson Park and to encourage local residents and visitors alike to explore the community and bring people together for events, recreation, and programming. We believe the Center will restore the promise of Jackson Park as the peoples park, building upon its history as a recreational destination for gathering on the South Side for families, community members, and visitors.
President and Mrs. Obama chose to buildthe Obama Presidential Center on the South Side, in part, to give back to the community that has given them so much. The Foundation is honored to be working alongside community leaders and local institutions, including the Museum of Science and Industry, the DuSable Museum, the University of Chicago, and City of Chicago on these efforts.
Get a glimpse of whats happening in our community:
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Through participatory and immersive experiences, the Center will tell Barack and Michelle Obamas story, while lifting the hood on the mechanics of change and inspiring visitors to spark their own.
Help build this Foundation from the ground up, and be among the first to know about major news and updates.
Originally posted here:
Welcome to the Obama Presidential Center
- Opinion | Obama makes an about-face on red and blue America - The Washington Post - September 15th, 2025 [September 15th, 2025]
- Artists including Jenny Holzer, Alison Saar and Kiki Smith creating commissions for Obama Presidential Center - The Art Newspaper - September 15th, 2025 [September 15th, 2025]
- T.J. Wilkins and Shanice Will Be Barack and Michelle Obama in New Musical 44 Off-Broadway - Playbill - September 15th, 2025 [September 15th, 2025]
- Why did the Queen's offer to 'pop out and pick up' Barack Obama spark a 'serious row' between Buckingham Palace and the Secret Service? - Daily Mail - September 15th, 2025 [September 15th, 2025]
- This Bavarian Hideaway Has Hosted Obama, Zadie Smith And A Guest List Of Icons Heres What Its Like - SUITCASE Magazine | - September 15th, 2025 [September 15th, 2025]
- SNL wins big for season 50 at the Creative Arts Emmys. Obama, Kimmel and Lamar also take trophies - The Philadelphia Sunday Sun - September 15th, 2025 [September 15th, 2025]
- The Obama Presidential Center Announces a Wave of New Commissions, and Other News - surfacemag.com - September 13th, 2025 [September 13th, 2025]
- Dr. Chris Burton of Union Presbyterian Seminary is announced as a 2025-2026 Obama Foundation Leader - Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) - September 13th, 2025 [September 13th, 2025]
- Soccer Recap: Barack Obama School for Social Justice Starts Season with Defeat on the Road - MaxPreps.com - September 13th, 2025 [September 13th, 2025]
- Barack Obama Wins Third Emmy for Our Oceans at 2025 Creative Arts Emmys - Blex Media - September 11th, 2025 [September 11th, 2025]
- Barack Obama condemns 'despicable violence' in the shooting of Charlie Kirk - USA Today - September 11th, 2025 [September 11th, 2025]
- Meet the Democratic kingmakers who anoint the next Obama - MSNBC News - September 11th, 2025 [September 11th, 2025]
- IRS issues termination notice to top aide linked to Obama-era Tea Party targeting scandal - Fox News - September 11th, 2025 [September 11th, 2025]
- The Obama Foundation Introduces 2025-2026 Class of More Than 200 Global Leaders - Obama Foundation - September 11th, 2025 [September 11th, 2025]
- Grassley Slams Obama and Biden Administrations for Decade of Taxpayer-Funded Government Weaponization - Senate Committee on the Judiciary (.gov) - September 11th, 2025 [September 11th, 2025]
- Joe Biden, Barak Obama, Kamala Harris, Gavin Newsom and More Democrats React to the Death of Charlie Kirk - Latin Times - September 11th, 2025 [September 11th, 2025]
- From Bernie Sanders to Theo Von: These Democratic Kingmakers Will Anoint the Next Obama - Vanity Fair - September 11th, 2025 [September 11th, 2025]
- Biden and Obama react after the murder of Trump ally Charlie Kirk: This violence has no place in the US, we pray for his family - Gazeta Express - September 11th, 2025 [September 11th, 2025]
- Obama, Kamala Harris, other Democrats condemn the killing of Trump ally Charlie Kirk - Face2Face Africa - September 11th, 2025 [September 11th, 2025]
- Meet the Democratic kingmakers who anoint the next Obama - MSN - September 11th, 2025 [September 11th, 2025]
- 'SNL' wins big for season 50 at the Creative Arts Emmys. Obama, Kimmel and Lamar also take trophies - KOB.com - September 11th, 2025 [September 11th, 2025]
- Charlie Kirk, 31, dead after Utah shooting: Donald Trump, Barack Obama, Kamala Harris and more pay tribute - HELLO! Magazine - September 11th, 2025 [September 11th, 2025]
- SNL, Obama and Kendrick Lamar among winners at the Creative Arts Emmys - The Independent - September 11th, 2025 [September 11th, 2025]
- Obama center construction tab reaches $615M as opening nears - Chicago Tribune - September 9th, 2025 [September 9th, 2025]
- Barack Obama gets an Emmy: List of winners for the awards first round - The Mercury News - September 9th, 2025 [September 9th, 2025]
- In new book, former Obama speechwriter calls on Jews to stand proud for their values - Jewish Insider - September 9th, 2025 [September 9th, 2025]
- 'SNL' wins big for season 50 at the Creative Arts Emmys. Obama, Kimmel and Lamar also take trophies - AP News - September 9th, 2025 [September 9th, 2025]
- Barack Obama wins third Emmy for Netflix documentary Our Oceans at 2025 Creative Arts Emmys - Mint - September 9th, 2025 [September 9th, 2025]
- President Barack Obama Wins His Third Emmy - Deadline - September 9th, 2025 [September 9th, 2025]
- Barack Obama Scores His Third Emmy, Wins for Narrating Our Oceans at 2025 Creative Arts Emmys - People.com - September 9th, 2025 [September 9th, 2025]
- Kendrick Lamar, 2025 Grammys, Barack Obama Win on Night 2 of 2025 Creative Arts Emmys - Billboard - September 9th, 2025 [September 9th, 2025]
- "That's what I do" - When Barack Obama hit a 3-pointer while on the campaign trail for Joe Biden - Basketball Network - September 9th, 2025 [September 9th, 2025]
- SNL, Obama and Kendrick Lamar among winners at the Creative Arts Emmys - Yahoo News Canada - September 9th, 2025 [September 9th, 2025]
- Barack Obama Wins Third Emmy - V103 - September 9th, 2025 [September 9th, 2025]
- Obama Judge Who Blocked Planned Parenthood Defunding Takes Aim at Laken Riley Act - The Daily Signal - September 9th, 2025 [September 9th, 2025]
- 'SNL' wins big for season 50 at the Creative Arts Emmys. Obama, Kimmel and Lamar also take trophies - WSLS - September 9th, 2025 [September 9th, 2025]
- ICYMI: A Reagan Appointee Assesses Reagan, Obama, Biden, and Trump - TAPinto - September 9th, 2025 [September 9th, 2025]
- ESPN Acquires U.S. Rights To Feature Doc Origin: The Story Of The Basketball Africa League Starring Barack Obama & Steph Curry TIFF - Deadline - September 9th, 2025 [September 9th, 2025]
- 'SNL' wins big for season 50 at the Creative Arts Emmys. Obama, Kimmel and Lamar also take trophies - The Sun Chronicle - September 9th, 2025 [September 9th, 2025]
- 'SNL' wins big for season 50 at the Creative Arts Emmys. Obama, Kimmel and Lamar also take trophies - Toronto Star - September 9th, 2025 [September 9th, 2025]
- 'SNL' wins big for season 50 at the Creative Arts Emmys. Obama, Kimmel and Lamar also take trophies - Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal - September 9th, 2025 [September 9th, 2025]
- 'SNL' wins big for season 50 at the Creative Arts Emmys. Obama, Kimmel and Lamar also take trophies - yoursun.com - September 9th, 2025 [September 9th, 2025]
- Kendrick Lamar, Barack Obama and 'SNL 50' win at the Creative Arts Emmys - The Sun Chronicle - September 9th, 2025 [September 9th, 2025]
- St. Petersburgs Obama Main Library is reopening this month - TBNweekly - September 6th, 2025 [September 6th, 2025]
- Pritzker urged to avoid playing politics on crime issue by former Obama advisor - Fox News - September 6th, 2025 [September 6th, 2025]
- White House adds Trump photo to LinkedIn profile. It shows up on Obama's page - Axios - September 5th, 2025 [September 5th, 2025]
- Navy reverses demotion of Rep. Ronny Jackson, former White House doctor under Trump and Obama - CBS News - September 5th, 2025 [September 5th, 2025]
- Eighteen students selected as 2025-26 University of Chicago Obama Foundation Scholars - The University of Chicago - September 5th, 2025 [September 5th, 2025]
- Country music singer claims he was blacklisted from radio because of his thoughts on Obama - PennLive.com - September 5th, 2025 [September 5th, 2025]
- Trump White House Pulls Off Online Troll Of Ex-Employees. Even Obama. - HuffPost - September 5th, 2025 [September 5th, 2025]
- White House Childishly Trolls Obama on LinkedIn - The Daily Beast - September 5th, 2025 [September 5th, 2025]
- AMAC Action Mobilizes Thousands in Support of Reversing Harmful Obama-Era Home Care Rule - AMAC - September 5th, 2025 [September 5th, 2025]
- St. Petersburgs Obama Main Library is reopening this month - Tampa Bay Times - September 5th, 2025 [September 5th, 2025]
- PM Modi's 'car diplomacy': From Putin to Obama, when Indian PM rode in same car with world leaders - WION - September 3rd, 2025 [September 3rd, 2025]
- NYC woman busted for threatening to kill President Trump is quietly released by Obama-appointed judge - New York Post - September 3rd, 2025 [September 3rd, 2025]
- 'Proof we live in best timeline': Why is Trump's face showing up on Obama's LinkdIn profile? White House - The Times of India - September 3rd, 2025 [September 3rd, 2025]
- Obama Bro clashes with LA Dem over California housing crisis | RISING - The Hill - September 3rd, 2025 [September 3rd, 2025]
- Why did the Democratic Party lose so many Biden and Obama voters? - KALW - September 3rd, 2025 [September 3rd, 2025]
- Obama warns all Americans are at risk after Trump threatens to clamp down on Chicago - the-independent.com - September 1st, 2025 [September 1st, 2025]
- Queen Elizabeth Ordered Barack Obama to Go To Bed on His State Visit - The Daily Beast - September 1st, 2025 [September 1st, 2025]
- Trump furious over 7-4 tariff ruling, thanks Obama-appointed judge for saving the country - Mint - September 1st, 2025 [September 1st, 2025]
- Michelle Obama, 61, Convinced Me to Buy the Effortlessly Cool $20 Pants Taylor Swift Is Also a Fan Of - instyle.com - September 1st, 2025 [September 1st, 2025]
- 'Our country would be completely destroyed': Trump defends tariffs after US court setback; thanks Obama- - The Times of India - September 1st, 2025 [September 1st, 2025]
- Barack Obama Shares His 10 Favorite Summer Books Just in Time for Labor Day Weekend Reading - Town & Country Magazine - September 1st, 2025 [September 1st, 2025]
- Anthony Bourdain And Barack Obama Bonded Over Their Love Of This Vibrant Cuisine - Tasting Table - September 1st, 2025 [September 1st, 2025]
- Who deported more migrants? Obama or Trump? We checked the numbers - The Fulcrum - September 1st, 2025 [September 1st, 2025]
- Obama warns all Americans are at risk after Trump threatens to clamp down on Chicago - The Independent - August 29th, 2025 [August 29th, 2025]
- Obama calls Texas Dem as he continues rallying the party against Trump - Politico - August 29th, 2025 [August 29th, 2025]
- Barack Obama warns against Trumps militarization of American police and cities - TheGrio - August 29th, 2025 [August 29th, 2025]
- Barack Obama's Favorite Books of the Summer - Publishers Weekly - August 29th, 2025 [August 29th, 2025]
- Barack Obama Breaks From Annual Tradition With Everything Going On Right Now - HuffPost - August 29th, 2025 [August 29th, 2025]
- Barack Obama Shares His 10 Favorite Summer Books Just in Time for Labor Day Weekend Reading - AOL.com - August 29th, 2025 [August 29th, 2025]
- Obama forgoes this year's summer playlist because of "everything going on right now" - AV Club - August 29th, 2025 [August 29th, 2025]
- Obama Breaks Annual Summer Tradition Due To 'Everything Going On Right Now' - Black Information Network - August 29th, 2025 [August 29th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama recalls how Barack Obama proposed to her, old clip resurfaces online - Mint - August 29th, 2025 [August 29th, 2025]
- Barack Obama praises Yale grad's book in his summer reading list - Darien Times - August 29th, 2025 [August 29th, 2025]
- Obama Abandons Yearly Tradition With Everything Going On - yahoo.com - August 29th, 2025 [August 29th, 2025]
- Barack Obama Breaks From Annual Tradition 'With Everything Going On Right Now' - MSN - August 29th, 2025 [August 29th, 2025]
- The Obama Foundation and the Chicago Public Library to Launch New Exhibits Showcasing President Obamas 2025 Reading List - The Citizen Newspaper Group - August 29th, 2025 [August 29th, 2025]
- Obama Turns Up the Heat on Trump - The Daily Beast - August 29th, 2025 [August 29th, 2025]