KCAI Alum Nick Cave to be Featured at the Obama Presidential Center
05.05.2026
Nick Cave’s installation will be featured at the Obama Presidential Center, titled This Land, Shared Sky
The Kansas City Art Institute is proud to announce that distinguished alum Nick Cave (’82 Fiber) has been selected as one of the featured artists for the historic opening of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago. The center opens its doors on June 19, 2026, and Cave’s work will stand as a cornerstone of the facility's public art initiative. This selection marks a significant milestone for the 19.3-acre campus, which seeks to use world-class art as a tool to inspire, empower, and connect visitors from around the globe.
Cave’s contribution, titled This Land, Shared Sky, is a monumental multimedia textile installation created in collaboration with artist Marie Watt. Located as a primary acoustic element in the Museum’s main lobby, the piece represents the first-ever collaboration between the two renowned artists. The installation utilizes beaded nets embedded with sculptural jingle elements, masterfully merging Black and Indigenous traditions. Through its intricate design, the work serves as a celebration of movement, sound, and shared resilience, greeting visitors the moment they enter the heart of the Center.
Art for Global Change
As a 1982 graduate of KCAI’s Fiber department, Cave has long been recognized as a "messenger" who operates at the intersection of visual and performing arts. He is perhaps best known for his "Soundsuits", sculptural forms that camouflage the body to mask race, gender, and class, forcing viewers to engage without judgment. His inclusion in the Obama Presidential Center aligns perfectly with the Foundation’s mission to foster an active democratic culture and encourage visitors to reflect on their own ability to "bring change home."
The Obama Presidential Center will feature over two dozen commissioned artists, with the vast majority of the works situated in areas that are free and accessible to the public. The Center is designed to be a "home for hope," featuring words from President Obama’s Selma 50th anniversary speech: “Oh, what a glorious task we are given, to continually try to improve this great nation of ours.” Cave’s work embodies this sentiment, offering a space for hope and renewal amidst contemporary dialogues on social justice and transformation.
The KCAI community celebrates this incredible honor for Nick Cave. His presence at the Obama Presidential Center not only highlights his status as one of our most prominent alumni but also underscores the enduring power of the arts to instigate global change and healing. We look forward to seeing This Land, Shared Sky inspire the millions of visitors who will walk through the Center’s doors for years to come. Learn more about the artwork at the center HERE.