The Obama Foundation is set to open the Obama Presidential Center in June 2026 at Jackson Park, Chicago. According to the foundation, the project is to be a global destination for public art where people can get connected, inspired, and empowered.
Obama Presidential Center to host dozens of world-renowned artworks
The Obama Presidential Foundation has, in a post on X, announced the opening of the Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park, Chicago, in June 2026. The Center will host more than 20 renowned artists whose work the Center will showcase.
The foundation worked with 28 artists on the installation of their artwork in the centre, which it says will “encourage visitors to open up imaginations and reflect on their ability to bring change home.” The Center will place the artworks in areas that are free to the public during operating hours.
Some of the artists to be featured when the Center opens in June are Nick Cave, Marie Watt, Nekisha Durrett, Idris Khan, and Jenny Holzer, among others. It will feature a variety of artworks from sculptures to murals and more.
“When the Obama Presidential Center opens in June, original works of art from more than two dozen world-renowned artists will greet visitors throughout the 19.3-acre campus—allowing world-class art to be publicly accessible throughout the centre,” reads a post on the Obama Foundation website.
The Presidential Center will also feature a basketball court. Powered by sustainable energy, the court will be a hub for recreation, connection, and wellness.
Moreover, the centre will serve as a museum covering the Obama presidency. It will serve as a museum, library, and community hub, with a 225-foot tower, public gardens, a playground, and a basketball court.
Presidential Center construction to boost members of underserved communities
Like other initiatives that the Obama Presidential Center has worked on, there is an unconventional approach to the construction of the presidential centre. According to a 2022 report, the Obama Foundation committed $1.35 million to train 535 pre-apprentices from the South and West Sides of Chicago.
About 35% of the construction workforce was jointly from both the South and West Sides of Chicago. Fifty per cent of the construction spend was also on diverse vendors.
Overall, the foundation has awarded about 64 contracts to date. City residents performed 41% of the work hours and South and West Side Chicago residents contributed 32% of the construction workforce hours. The project also placed 158 candidates in jobs across the city.