New York City-based Local Projects, a globally recognized experience design studio, has been chosen to lead the experience and exhibition design efforts for the National Juneteenth Museum in Fort Worth.

The museum will celebrate the legacy of Juneteenth, the holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States.

“We specifically selected Local Projects for their unparalleled expertise in creating immersive and impactful exhibits. Their record of excellence aligns perfectly with our vision to honor Juneteenth in a way that educates and inspires,” Jarred Howard, CEO of the National Juneteenth Museum, said in a statement.

Rendering of the National Juneteenth Museum. [Image: Bjarke Ingels Group and KAI Enterprises]

The 50,000-square-foot museum will be located in Fort Worth’s Historic Southside neighborhood and is scheduled to open in 2026.

Supported by local leaders and organizations, the museum said it seeks to inspire and educate future generations. The museum will serve as an educational hub, deepening public understanding of African American history and the ongoing pursuit of freedom and equality.

Local Projects has been selected as the exhibition designer for the National Juneteenth Museum. [Rendering: Bjarke Ingels Group and KAI Enterprises]

‘A beacon of hope and possibility’

“The National Juneteenth Museum will be a beacon of hope and possibility as we contextualize history while also elevating resilience and joy,” said L’Rai Arthur-Mensah, executive account director at Local Projects. “This work is rooted in the visions of our ancestors and elders, and I am beyond grateful to be part of the team shepherding this immensely important museum forward.”

Local Projects said it will design immersive, interactive exhibitions that feature multimedia installations and historical artifacts, fostering a powerful connection between visitors and the story and impact of Juneteenth.

Rendering of the National Juneteenth Museum. [Image: Bjarke Ingels Group and KAI Enterprises]

A Cannes Lion award-winning firm and globally recognized leader in exhibition design, Local Projects creates experiences that engage a wide range of audiences nationally and internationally.

Other projects designed by Local Projects include the Legacy Museum in Montgomery, Alabama, which tells the story of slavery in the United States, Greenwood Rising in Tulsa that showcases the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, and Planet Word, the world’s first voice-activated museum in Washington, D.C.

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R E A D   N E X T

  • The museum, currently being built in Fort Worth’s Historic Southside neighborhood, has a $70 million fundraising goal and is slated to open in 2025. The 50,000-square-foot Juneteenth Museum center will also host guest lectures, community events, and performances in its 250-seat amphitheater, while offering a food hall, store fronts, and a business incubator to boost local entrepreneurship.

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