The Arts stories

• Watch
• Equality

Take a look at how President Obama honored this chapter of American history.

• Presidential History
• Alumni

Meet the minds behind the design, voice, and digital strategy for the Obama campaign and White House.

• Youth
• Futures Series

See how the students explored expression and possibilities at EXPO Chicago.

• Leaders
• Chicago

Ahead of her debut with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, hear how one Obama Leader leverages the power of music to educate, entertain, and heal her community.

• Youth
• MBK Alliance

The My Brother’s Keeper Alliance released a Black History Month reading list for young leaders

• Obama Picks
• Barack Obama

• First Look
• Chicago

Artist Brandon Breaux and Dyett High School students showcase the power of culture and community.

• MBK Alliance
• Youth

Learn more about Nathan, his experience at Guitars Over Guns, and his plans for the future.

• Youth
• Chicago

Young Chicagoan Raven Smith created the t-shirt company Straight From The GO – All Good Things From ChicaGO to dispel negative perceptions about violence in Chicago

• Alumni
• The Obama Administration

This Obama alum is using stories from our past to help communities move forward today.

• Presidential History
• Chicago

Sometimes history is shaped not by the famous figures in front of the camera, but by someone behind it.

• Building the Center
• Chicago

Revisit the highlights from our work in 2021, which included breaking ground on the Obama Presidential Center, recognizing important milestones from President and Mrs. Obama’s time in office, empowering and connecting leaders around the world, and more.

• Chicago
• Equality

As a visual artist in Chicago’s vibrant art community, Pooja Pittie is on a life-long journey to accept the unexpected obstacles in her life, while advocating for better representation and support for artists with disabilities.

• Watch
• Building the Center

Watch talented Chicago poet Leslé Honoré recite "Bridges," a poem inspired by the powerful speech President Obama delivered on the 50th anniversary of the marches from Montgomery to Selma. An excerpt from the speech will appear on the exterior of the Obama

• Watch
• Barack Obama

Artists Kehinde Wiley of Brooklyn, New York, and Amy Sherald of Baltimore, Maryland, were selected to paint President Obama and Mrs. Obama respectively

• Chicago
• Changemakers

In honor of Latinx Heritage Month, we sat down with Mateo Zapata, a Chicago-based photographer documenting the public health crisis, the ways it’s disproportionately affecting his community, and the systemic inequality it has brought to light.

• Watch
• Chicago

Growing up on the South Side of Chicago, Will Calloway became all too familiar with the disinvestment and systemic discrimination that create the conditions for gun violence to surface. 

• Watch
• Health & Wellbeing

Discover how Christopher LeMark uses coffee and Hip-Hop to help heal communities-–and how you can get involved!

• Chicago
• Changemakers

When we wanted to lift up the stories of Antonio Davis, Asiaha Butler, and Kemdah Stroud—three grassroots leaders working on the South Side of Chicago to make a difference—we turned to Chicago-based artist and photographer Tyesha Moores.

• Chicago
• Community Engagement

Activist and violence interrupter William Calloway grew up in South Shore, the same Chicago neighborhood where Michelle Obama was born and raised, and the future home of the Obama Presidential Center. See how Will is protecting his community while challeng

• MBK Alliance
• Changemakers

Meet Leo Mercer! Leo is an artist and community organizer, born and raised in Oakland, California.

• MBK Alliance
• Event

• Michelle Obama
• Obama Picks

Now you can make the former first lady’s holiday favorite at home!

• Changemakers
• Your Voice

Artist Lynell Jinks creates masterpieces on his childrens’ paper lunch bags every single week. He uses the images to inspire them to be passionate about their talents, and to pursue their biggest dreams. It sure beats PB&J.

• Watch
• Chicago

This afternoon, Chance the Rapper shared the message below with the Obama Foundation email list announcing that he will be teaming up with us to creative direct the concert at the conclusion of the inaugural summit on November 1st

• Event
• Changemakers

Emily May, a New Yorker who brings people with diverse views together over a shared meal, will be one of the hundreds of civic leaders that will join us at the Obama Foundation Summit in Chicago later this fall

• Watch
• Barack Obama

On May 25, 2017, President Obama joined German Chancellor Angela Merkel and four young leaders for a conversation on the topic of “Being Involved in Democracy: Taking on Responsibility Locally and Globally.”

• Listen
• Chicago

We asked you to share songs that remind you of home and inspire you to be involved in your communities. From India to Indiana, you delivered.