Obama Center unveils digital exhibit and athletic facilities

As the highly anticipated Obama Presidential Center continues to take shape, the Obama Foundation has revealed exciting updates on the project’s progress. President Obama recently visited Chicago for a first-hand look at the groundbreaking “Power of Words” digital media exhibit, set to be a centerpiece of the Presidential Center’s Museum.

The “Power of Words” exhibit, a two-story prototype, showcases how the power of words manifests through speeches, voices, songs, and poetry. The exhibit features the words of the Obamas, other changemakers, and everyday people, offering visitors a unique and immersive experience. At its full height, the exhibit will stand an impressive 88 feet tall, serving as a canvas for creativity and storytelling within the museum’s monumental interior architecture.

“The Obama Presidential Center is a platform to create positive change for our shared future. We are creating innovative and immersive new forms of storytelling to help inspire people who visit the Center,” said Valerie Jarrett, CEO of the Obama Foundation.

In addition to the museum exhibit preview, the Obama Foundation announced plans to break ground on the Programs & Athletic Center on March 11. The center, designed by Moody Nolan, the largest African American design firm in the United States, and built by Elevate Design Builders, a joint firm consisting of Bowa Construction and AECOM/Hunt, will serve as a hub for community activities and gatherings on the South Side of Chicago.

The Programs & Athletic Center will feature a premier gymnasium and studios for various recreational, wellness, and community activities. The surrounding area will include play areas, walking trails, and a sledding hill for visitors and community members to enjoy.

The Obama Presidential Center, set to open in phases starting in late 2025, aims to be a new civic institution that fosters a culture of democracy and positive change. The 19-acre campus will offer a diverse range of spaces, programs, art, and events designed to welcome and inspire visitors to take action on the greatest challenges of our time.

The Programs & Athletic Center and park space are expected to open to the public in late 2025, while the Obama Presidential Center Museum is slated to open in 2026. For more information on the Center, visit https://obama.org/presidential-center/.