Center for Civil & Human Rights
Encyclopedia
The National Center for Civil
and Human
Rights is a proposed center in Atlanta, Georgia
. It will be located adjacent to the World of Coca-Cola
and the Georgia Aquarium
on the site of Pemberton Place
. It will commemorate the groundbreaking contributions of Atlantans and Georgian
s to the historic struggle for African-American freedom and equality, and will be much more than museum as it seeks to serve as a space for ongoing dialogue, study, and contributions to the resolution of current and future freedom struggles of all people at the local, national and international level.
The National Center for Civil and Human Rights (NCCHR) is intended as a catalyst for change, using the lessons of the civil rights movement, and particularly Atlanta’s role in it, to inspire action on today’s human rights challenges by engaging the anticipated 800,000 annual visitors.
The Center participates in various symposia and continues to offer opportunities for people to learn about the importance of human and civil rights issues. It has hosted numerous film screenings and sent curricula and resources to schools throughout Atlanta to teach about human rights. An audio tour of Atlanta’s historic Auburn Avenue narrated by Andrew Young
is available for download from the Center's website and gives a personal, firsthand account of the past.
-certified Center is designed to serve as a portal for education and discussion through performances, lectures, symposia and partnerships across the city for Atlanta, the state and the nation.
The design is inspired by “the simple yet powerful image of interlocking arms that signifies the linkages that empower individuals and groups of seemingly divergent interests to find common ground,” said Philip Freelon
, president of The Freelon Group. The design, conceived with sustainability as a primary consideration, features a terracotta-clad building surrounding an exterior courtyard, which serves as an amphitheater and exhibit space. The King Papers exhibit extends towards Auburn Avenue, and a special events space overlooks the Ellipse at Pemberton Place.
, Tony Award-winning theater director, producer, playwright and author, is bringing his renowned artistic talent to the design of the upcoming National Center for Civil & Human Rights as its chief creative officer.
Wolfe will oversee the creation of design concepts and themes for NCCHR, including creative
interpretation of exhibits, a storyline-based approach to content and the overall visitor experience.
The Center's key acquisitions include the Martin Luther King, Jr.
Papers and Without Sanctuary photography collection.
Civil rights
Civil and political rights are a class of rights that protect individuals' freedom from unwarranted infringement by governments and private organizations, and ensure one's ability to participate in the civil and political life of the state without discrimination or repression.Civil rights include...
and Human
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
Rights is a proposed center in Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
. It will be located adjacent to the World of Coca-Cola
World of Coca-Cola
The World of Coca-Cola is a permanent exhibition featuring the history of The Coca-Cola Company and its well-known advertising as well as a host of entertainment areas and attractions...
and the Georgia Aquarium
Georgia Aquarium
The Georgia Aquarium, located in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, at Pemberton Place, is the world's largest aquarium with more than of marine and fresh water housing more than 120,000 animals of 500 different species...
on the site of Pemberton Place
Pemberton Place
Pemberton Place, located in downtown Atlanta, Georgia, just north of Centennial Olympic Park and near the Luckie Marietta district. It is home to the Georgia Aquarium and the new World of Coca-Cola, and the scheduled location for the Center for Civil & Human Rights...
. It will commemorate the groundbreaking contributions of Atlantans and Georgian
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
s to the historic struggle for African-American freedom and equality, and will be much more than museum as it seeks to serve as a space for ongoing dialogue, study, and contributions to the resolution of current and future freedom struggles of all people at the local, national and international level.
The National Center for Civil and Human Rights (NCCHR) is intended as a catalyst for change, using the lessons of the civil rights movement, and particularly Atlanta’s role in it, to inspire action on today’s human rights challenges by engaging the anticipated 800,000 annual visitors.
Center Activity
Before welcoming its first visitor, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights became "a center without walls" with extensive programming. By collaborating with numerous organizations, the Center has developed many strategic partnerships.The Center participates in various symposia and continues to offer opportunities for people to learn about the importance of human and civil rights issues. It has hosted numerous film screenings and sent curricula and resources to schools throughout Atlanta to teach about human rights. An audio tour of Atlanta’s historic Auburn Avenue narrated by Andrew Young
Andrew Young
Andrew Jackson Young is an American politician, diplomat, activist and pastor from Georgia. He has served as Mayor of Atlanta, a Congressman from the 5th district, and United States Ambassador to the United Nations...
is available for download from the Center's website and gives a personal, firsthand account of the past.
Building Design
The Freelon Group partnered with HOK, an Atlanta-based architecture and design firm, as the Center’s Architect of Record. The announcement came on the heels of a multi-month competitive design process in which dozens of firms worldwide competed for the contract. The Freelon Group and HOK are working with Center leadership, exhibit designer Gallagher & Associates and project manager Cousins Properties/Gude Management Group to finalize the facility’s design prior to breaking ground on the $125 million Center. The planned 100000 square feet (9,290.3 m²), LEEDLeadership in Energy and Environmental Design
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design consists of a suite of rating systems for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings, homes and neighborhoods....
-certified Center is designed to serve as a portal for education and discussion through performances, lectures, symposia and partnerships across the city for Atlanta, the state and the nation.
The design is inspired by “the simple yet powerful image of interlocking arms that signifies the linkages that empower individuals and groups of seemingly divergent interests to find common ground,” said Philip Freelon
Philip Freelon
Philip Freelon , a native of Philadelphia, USA is an African American architect. He is best known as the co-designer of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Some of his other projects include the Center for Civil & Human Rights, the Reginald F...
, president of The Freelon Group. The design, conceived with sustainability as a primary consideration, features a terracotta-clad building surrounding an exterior courtyard, which serves as an amphitheater and exhibit space. The King Papers exhibit extends towards Auburn Avenue, and a special events space overlooks the Ellipse at Pemberton Place.
Exhibition
George C. WolfeGeorge C. Wolfe
George Costello Wolfe is an American playwright and director of theater and film. He won a Tony Award in 1993 for directing Angels in America: Millennium Approaches and another Tony Award in 1996 for his direction of the musical, Bring in 'da Noise/Bring in 'da Funk.-Early life and...
, Tony Award-winning theater director, producer, playwright and author, is bringing his renowned artistic talent to the design of the upcoming National Center for Civil & Human Rights as its chief creative officer.
Wolfe will oversee the creation of design concepts and themes for NCCHR, including creative
interpretation of exhibits, a storyline-based approach to content and the overall visitor experience.
The Center's key acquisitions include the Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. was an American clergyman, activist, and prominent leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. He is best known for being an iconic figure in the advancement of civil rights in the United States and around the world, using nonviolent methods following the...
Papers and Without Sanctuary photography collection.