Other finalists were:   KoningEizenberg Architecture + ARUP (Los Angeles, CA) for their design, Park. The design organizes the disparate elements of the Seattle Center site and program into a sustainable and coherent landscape. It offers a mastery of the immediate and physical and programmatic challenges facing Seattle Center; and  PRAUD (Boston, MA ) for their design, Seattle Jelly Bean. The design is highly imaginative – and suggests a new kind of icon for the 21^st century, an atmospheric and interactive cloud that is tethered both literally and figuratively to the site below.

The jury decision follows weekend finalist presentations to the public and jury and concludes a multi-month project that seeks to conceive a fresh vision of the future of public space, via a nine‐acre site at the heart of Seattle Center. The competition received 107 proposals from 23 countries.  From this entrant pool, the jury chose three finalists and granted seven commendations. The finalists were then invited to Seattle at the beginning of April for a learning visit, and they returned with their final proposals last week. The winner was selected for most effectively responding to the five major themes of the competition.

The six-member jury considered a number of factors in making its decision, finding exceptional merit in several aspects of the ABF proposal. The proposed design demonstrated ABF’s understanding that the future of sustainable public spaces, and cities, depends on a sustainable social ecology of human interactions, as much if not more than on technology-based solutions. The design works at a human scale that is critical to successful public spaces, and which is important to the future of Seattle Center, envisioning how users will effectively create their own public spaces within a larger framework. The jury members saw the project as highly adaptive, developing over time and to changes in site and program and positively influencing the public space and broader ecology of the entire city. The exchange between ABF and the jury generated an engaging dialogue about the future of the center and the future of the city and public space (full jury statement enclosed). 

Urban Intervention, a partnership between Seattle Center and AIA Seattle, was funded by a grant from the Grousement Foundation for The Next Fifty. Members of the public may view an exhibit of the finalist and commendation award winners and other inspiring entries.  The exhibit will run through June 30 in the lobby of the Intiman Playhouse.  For information on the Competition and Next 50, visit www.thenextfifty.org/urbanintervention and http://www.seattlecenter.com/ or call 206 684-7200.

The jury – The six-member jury included August de los Reyes, designer, writer, and educator (Palo Alto, CA); Gene Duvernoy, president of Forterra, formerly Cascade Land Conservancy (Seattle, WA); Tom Leader, principal of award winning landscape architecture firm Tom Leader Studio (Berkeley, CA); Mia Lehrer, founder of landscape architecture firm Mia Lehrer+Associates (Los Angeles, CA); Rick Lowe, celebrated public artist (Houston, TX); and Patricia Patkau, founding partner in the firm of Patkau Architects (Vancouver, B.C., Canada).

 About The Design Competition – In the spirit of the 1962 World’s Fair, Seattle Center and AIA Seattle invited multidisciplinary design teams to compete in an international design ideas competition to re-envision a nine-acre site in the heart of Seattle Center and use it to explore innovation in public space in the coming century. Design ideas are meant to harness Seattle’s history of innovation and civic engagement to inspire the next generation of great public spaces and connect interaction and innovation to meet the challenges of the future. The competition is sponsored by AIA Seattle, Seattle Center and Seattle Center Foundation/ The Next Fifty, and funded by the Grousemont Foundation. It honors long-term civic leader Howard S. Wright, who took a simple sketch on a napkin and created a landmark building known around the world, the icon of Seattle, the Space Needle.

 Selected by a jury of internationally recognized design and local civic leaders from over one hundred design ideas submitted from around the world, the three finalists visited Seattle in April for several packed days of learning to further develop their ideas. On May 11, the three teams will make their final presentations to the public at Intiman Playhouse. 

May 11 also signals the opening of an exhibit of the finalist and commendation award winners and other inspiring entries.  The exhibit will run May 11 – June 30 in the lobby of the Intiman Playhouse. 

Free advance tickets for this event are available via Ticketmaster (http://bit.ly/urbantix) or at the KeyArena Box Office, located on the West Plaza at Seattle Center (open Monday through Saturday, 10am to 6pm).  Tickets will also be available at the door of the Playhouse on May 11, while supplies last. Learn more at  http://www.seattlecenter.com/ AND www.thenextfifty.org/urbanintervention

WATCH: PREVIEW THE FINAL PRESENTATIONS at http://urbanintervention.aiaseattle.org/finalists

 THE FINALISTS:   ABF (France) for their design, In-Closure.  The design envisions an interactive wall around a forested landscape that is both flexible and dynamic, embracing social life in the city at multiple scales. KoningEizenberg Architecture + ARUP (United States) for their design, Park. The design organizes the disparate elements of the Seattle Center site and program into a sustainable and coherent landscape. It offers a mastery of the immediate and physical and programmatic challenges facing Seattle Center. PRAUD (United States) for their design, Seattle Jelly Bean. The design is highly imaginative, and suggests a new kind of icon for the 21^st century, an atmospheric and interactive cloud that is tethered both literally and figuratively to the site below.

 THE JURY:  the six-member jury included August de los Reyes, designer, writer, and educator (Palo Alto, CA); Gene Duvernoy, president of Forterra, formerly Cascade Land Conservancy (Seattle, WA); Tom Leader, principal of award winning landscape architecture firm Tom Leader Studio (Berkeley, CA); Mia Lehrer, founder of landscape architecture firm Mia Lehrer+Associates (Los Angeles, CA); Rick Lowe, celebrated public artist (Houston, TX); and Patricia Patkau, founding partner in the firm of Patkau Architects (Vancouver, B.C., Canada).

ABOUT THE DESIGN COMPETITION:  in the spirit of the 1962 World’s Fair, Seattle Center and AIA Seattle invited multidisciplinary design teams to compete in an international design ideas competition to re-envision a nine-acre site in the heart of Seattle Center and use it to explore innovation in public space in the coming century. Design ideas are meant to harness Seattle’s history of innovation and civic engagement to inspire the next generation of great public spaces and connect interaction and innovation to meet the challenges of the future. The competition is sponsored by AIA Seattle, Seattle Center and Seattle Center Foundation/ The Next Fifty, and funded by the Grousemont Foundation. It honors long-term civic leader Howard S. Wright, who took a simple sketch on a napkin and created a landmark building known around the world, the icon of Seattle, the Space Needle.

Help build the Habitat for Humanity House of the Immediate Future, various times, through Oct 21, Next 50 Plaza (located between Seattle Center Armory/Center House and EMP Museum). The Habitat House uses sustainable building practices, technological innovation and civic commitment to create future communities. 

Ballard Food Bank Drive:  bring by non-perishable food items for distribution to elderly and disabled clients and several shelters in the greater Seattle area, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., May 12, at Seattle Center entry gates at 2^nd Avenue North and Thomas Street, Harrison Street off of 5^th Avenue North and at the walkway entry off of Mercer Street between Intiman Playhouse and the Exhibition Fall at Seattle Center.

Page Ahead Book Drive:  drop off new books appropriate for ages K – 12 to help Page Ahead serve children whose families are struggling to make ends meet. For a child living in poverty, having a new book to read is not only a wonderful gift, but a powerful motivator.  10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Jun 9, in the Activity Tent of Next 50 Plaza.

Medical Teams International – Health Kits for the Homeless:  bring in requested items and help pack up kits to distribute to homeless shelters in our area. 12 p.m. – 3p.m., Jul 21, Activity Tent, Next 50 Plaza.

World Vision – Promise Packs and School Tools Kits:  help assemble special backpacks filled with school supplies and basic personal hygiene items that go to help children in south King County public schools and developing countries. 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Aug 3, Activity Tent, Next 50 Plaza.

Union Gospel Mission Sock & Pants Drive:  bring in new socks and new or gently used pants for distribution through the Mission’s Search and Rescue van and other programs. The donations will help Union Gospel Mission to beat its 2011 record of distributing 32,123 pairs of socks. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Sep 8 (also date of the Next 50 Big Birthday Bash), Seattle Center Armory/Center House.

Operation Homefront of Washington Baby Shower for 150 to 200 military families:  contribute gift cards for food and baby items, new and gently used baby items, and financial donations to possibly the largest baby shower ever. 12 p.m. – 3 p.m., Oct 14, Fisher Pavilion.

Participating in Seattle Takes Care is a great way for groups, families and individuals to make a tangible difference in the lives of many – near and far. For more information, and to sign up for one or more of the monthly events, visit www.thenextfifty.org/seattle-takes-care/Seattle. For more information on The Next Fifty and Seattle Center, visit www.seattlecenter.com or call 206 684-7200.

Under the partnership agreement, as outlined in a letter of intent, Coca-Cola will offer assistance and support in the areas of public programming, fundraising, education and outreach.  A full spectrum of Coca-Cola products will begin to appear soon around the Center grounds including:  packaged juices, waters and enhanced waters, slushies and Minute Maid frozen beverages, packaged tea and coffee, and carbonated soft drinks. The venerable Coca-Cola logo also will show up on Seattle Center banners, posters and other promotional materials.

The Coca-Cola support will help Seattle Center to continue to offer a quality experience to the millions of visitors to Seattle Center each year.  Such relationships are the Center’s lifeblood, as it seeks new revenue sources to meet its bottom line.

“We warmly welcome our new partner, one that shares the Center’s commitment to building sustainable communities, reducing its environmental footprint and supporting active, healthy living. Plus, we love their wide range of beverage products,” said Seattle Center Director Robert Nellams.

 “Coca-Cola is honored to anchor our growing presence in Seattle by becoming the official beverage partner for Seattle Center,” said Bill O’Brien, senior vice president and general manager for Coca-Cola Refreshments’ Northwest Region.  “We will kick-off this new partnership by joining in the 50^th anniversary celebration.   We look forward to providing the world’s most refreshing beverages for all of the iconic events, cultural programs and family fun that will happen at the Center for years to come.”

The day begins at 10 a.m. with a ribbon cutting at International Fountain Pavilion for Celebrating Century 21, three exhibits exploring the 1962 World’s Fair and its impact today. The Opening Ceremony, 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m., at the newly restored Mural Amphitheatre, features an exciting line-up of speakers and special guests highlighting the past, present and future of Seattle Center and the Pacific Northwest. At the ceremony’s conclusion, invited dignitaries will literally launch The Next Fifty with stomp rockets. 

The afternoon offers live music and dance performances, children’s activities, mobile food vendors, beer garden, free zip line ride, NASA’s Driven to Explore Exhibit, Emerald City Search kick-off, skateboarding party, and many more free, festive, and fun activities throughout the Seattle Center grounds (a complete schedule follows at the end of this release).

Free parking is offered on Opening Day until 10 a.m. in three Seattle Center Garages, 1^st Ave N Garage, 5^th Ave N Garage, and Mercer Garage.

The Next 50 launch date and six-month duration correspond to those of the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair. Similar to the Fair, The Next Fifty looks to the future for much of its inspiration and programming ideas. Arts, culture and design and history tie together the celebration. The individual months focus on key areas of regional leadership and development including:  Sustainable Futures, Apr 21 – May 31; Science and Technology, June; Global Health, July; Learning, August; Commerce and the Innovation Economy, September; and Civic Action, October.

Seattle Center Foundation is heading up the 50^th anniversary celebration, working with 19 volunteer committees to plan the events, cultivating partnerships to enable the programming and capital development, and reaching out to the region to ensure broad community participation.

 Next 50 premier partners include:  Bartell Drugs, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Coca-Cola, Grousemont Foundation, Microsoft, Samsung, Seattle Center Monorail, T-Mobile, TPN (The Production Network) and World Vision. Funding and participating partners include: 206 Inc., 4Culture, City of Seattle, Global Health Nexus, Hill & Knowlton Strategies, KOMO 4 TV, KUOW 94.9 Public Radio, One to the World, Safeco Insurance:  A Liberty Mutual Company, Seattle Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs, Sheraton Seattle Hotel and Washington Economic Development Commission.

 The organizers of the World’s Fair left the legacy of Seattle Center to allow for a place in the core of our region for public gatherings, arts cultivation and family activities. In keeping with their vision, The Next Fifty challenges our community to engage in the critical discussions of our day, essential celebrations, and inspiring presentations. For more information on The Next Fifty and Seattle Center, visit www.seattlecenter.com or call 206 684-7200.

 The day begins with an Earth Day Ceremony and Welcome, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m., in Next 50 Plaza (located between Seattle Center Armory/Center House and EMP Museum). Elected officials, including Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn and U.S. Representative Jim McDermott, and keynote speaker, Roberto Ascalon, Program Coordinator at Food Empowerment Education and Sustainability Team (FEEST), will present their insights on the environment. The program features the Habitat for Humanity Build Project kick-off, Our Sustainable Futures Experience Exhibit ribbon cutting, and more.

 Additional Earth Day highlights:

Volunteers may learn how they can help build the Habitat for Humanity House of the Immediate Future, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., in Next 50 Plaza. The House uses sustainable building practices, technological innovation and civic commitment to create future communities. The build project continues for the six-month duration of Next 50.

Visitors may learn about all of the factors involved in sustaining the health of our society in Our Sustainable Futures Experience, addressing what might surprise us about our region’s collective efforts when we look back 50 years from now, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. (and continuing through Jun 30), in the Next 50 Pavilion, Next 50 Plaza.

FREE, hands-on activities and entertainment showcase the region’s innovations in sustainability, presented by more than a dozen partner organizations. A community crochet for an installation, Mater Matrix Mother Medium, by artist Mandy Greer, provides the public an opportunity to assist in the creation of a work of environmental art, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. in the Activity Tent, Next 50 Plaza.

A moderated Arts and Sustainability panel discussion explores temporary artworks showcased at Seattle Center during Sustainable Futures month and addresses the connections between art and the environment, 2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., Seattle Center Armory/Center House. Presented by the Seattle Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs 1% for Art Program in partnership with Seattle Public Utilities and Seattle City Light, panelists include artists Adam Frank, Mandy Greer, Stacy Levy and moderator Julie Parrett.

Additional Earth Day exhibits include:  Living Design Competition Exhibit, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. (and continuing through May 31), Intiman Playhouse, showcasing leading ideas about the future of cities that are carbon neutral, net zero in their water and energy consumption and wholesome for people; NASA Driven to Explore Exhibit in Seattle Center Armory/Center House, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.; and Celebrating Century 21, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. in International Fountain Pavilion.

Earth Day partners include:  The Nature Conservancy,  Habitat for Humanity, Forterra and Green Seattle Partnership, Cascade Harvest Coalition, National Parks Service/Olympic National Park, King County Wastewater Treatment Division, Department of Natural Resources and Parks, Seattle Public Utilities, Seattle City Light, Seattle Department of Neighborhoods P-Patch Program, City of Seattle Office of Sustainability, Community Power Works, Seattle Parks Department, FEEST, and Seattle Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs.

The Next Fifty continues through Oct 21 with six months of events, attractions and family activities focusing on:  arts, culture and Design; history: sustainable futures; science and technology; global health; learning; commerce and the innovation economy; and civic action. Seattle Center Foundation heads up the 50^th anniversary celebration, working with 19 volunteer committees to plan the events, cultivating partnerships to enable the programming and capital development, and reaching out to the region to ensure broad community participation.

Next 50 premier partners include:  Bartell Drugs, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Coca-Cola, Grousemont Foundation, Samsung, Seattle Center Monorail, T-Mobile, TPN (The Production Network) and World Vision. Funding and participating partners include: 206 Inc., 4Culture, City of Seattle, Global Health Nexus, Hill & Knowlton Strategies, KOMO 4 TV, KUOW 94.9 Public Radio, One to the World, Safeco Insurance:  A Liberty Mutual Company, Seattle Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs, Sheraton Seattle Hotel and Washington Economic Development Commission.

 For more information on The Next Fifty and Seattle Center, visit www.seattlecenter.com or call 206 684-7200.

 In keeping with the intent of the 1962 World’s Fair, arts, culture and design tie together the six months. For the Next 50, history also continues through the celebration. The individual months focus on key areas of regional leadership and development, including: Sustainable Futures, Apr 21 – May 31; Science and Technology, Jun; Global Health, Jul; Learning, Aug; Commerce and the Innovation Economy, Sep; and Civic Action, Oct. Here is an overview of Next 50 arts projects:

 Arts, Culture and Design selected Projects – To celebrate the legacy of the 1962 World’s Fair, a national arts call was issued in June 2011 challenging creators to illuminate today’s challenges and imagine tomorrow’s possibilities. From a recipient pool of over 200 proposals submitted from across the United States, a jury selected 20+ temporary visual, performing, literary, and media art projects. The jury evaluated proposals according to principles outlined in the call, choosing those with elements that were transformational, inclusive, and engaging, looking for submissions that would creatively engage the public in a variety of locations, viewpoints and timeframes.  Attached are details on the projects and their placement at Seattle Center.

 Seattle Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs 1% for Art projects – A variety of temporary artworks highlighting environmental sustainability will be on view during Sustainable Futures month, Apr 21 – May 31. Sponsored by City of Seattle departments through the Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs 1% for Art program, the pieces serve to highlight water-land connections, energy use, and alternative transportation. Attached are details on the projects and their location. An “Arts and Sustainability” panel discussion with Adam Frank, Mandy Greer and Stacy Levy will be part of the Next 50 Earth Day Celebration 2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., Apr22, Seattle Center Armory/Center House, Conference Room H.

 Looking Forward:  The New Heroes  Large, dynamic black and white images and a video by photographer David Freeman explore young visionaries, between the ages of 17 and 30, who are making a difference in the world applying innovative solutions to create a better society.  Apr 21 – Oct 21, International Fountain Pavilion.

 Seattle Center Foundation heads up the World’s Fair 50th anniversary celebration, working with 19 volunteer committees to plan the events and activities, cultivating partnerships to enable the programming and capital development, and reaching out to the region to ensure broad community participation.

Next 50 Premier Partners include:  Bartell Drugs, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Coca-Cola, Grousemont Foundation, Microsoft, Samsung, Seattle Center Monorail, T-Mobile, TPN (The Production Network) and World Vision.

Funding and participating partners include:  206 Inc., 4Culture, City of Seattle, Global Health Nexus, Hill & Knowlton Strategies, KOMO 4 TV, KUOW 94.9 Public Radio, One to the World, Safeco Insurance:  A Liberty Mutual Company, Seattle Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs, Sheraton Seattle Hotel and Washington Economic Development Commission.

The organizers of the World’s Fair left the legacy of Seattle Center to allow for a place in the core of our region for public gatherings, arts cultivation and family activities. In keeping with their vision, The Next Fifty challenges our community to engage in the critical discussions of our day, essential celebrations, and inspiring presentations. For more information on temporary art locations and schedule, visit  www.seattlecenter.com or call 206 684-7200. 

The 2012 Cherry Blossom & Japanese Cultural Festival features Taiko drumming, artisan demonstrations, and a special cherry tree planting ceremony celebrating The Next Fifty and commemorating the 100th anniversary of the City of Toyko’s gift of 3,020 trees to Washington, DC. Seattle is one of 13 U.S. cities to receive cherry trees from Japan through the Cherry Blossom Centennial Initiative, and these will be presented at the Opening Ceremony by former Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Naoko Yamazaki, who carried the Seattle cherry blossoms into space in 2010. The tree will remain at Seattle Center during the six-month celebration The Next 50 as a symbol of sustainability in the Japan-United States firendship.

The Cherry Blossom Festival also celebrates Japanese string traditions past and present, and will present “Harps:  East Meets West,” a concert by Tomoko Sugawara, Apr 14, 4 p.m. – 5 p.m., at Fisher Pavilion. The festival also features updates via speakers and videos on the earthquake and tsunami of 2011; readings commemorating the 70th anniversary of Japanese internment during World War II; a screening of Great Grandfather’s Drum, with producer Victoria Lewin; a symposium, Sci-Tech Access, addressing sustainable resources and Eco-Sense technology; and an open discussion, Money Over Everything? What Matters Most to Us?  

The 20 Seattle Center Festál cultural celebrations highlight the common forms of tradition and expression among ethnic communities in the Pacific Northwest, while underscoring their unique creative contributions, customs, foods and ideals. Each event offers moving entertainment and fascinating insight into a different culture of the world.

Seattle Cherry Blossom & Japanese Cultural Festival is part of The Next Fifty at Seattle Center in 2012. The Festival is produced by Seattle Cerry Blossom & Japanese Cultural Festival Committee in partnership with Seattle Center. For more information on this cultural series and other Seattle Center public programming, click on www.seattlecenter.com.

Joseph’s newest multi-disciplinary project layers poetic text, hip-hop dance, music, and film to jumpstart a conversation about environmental racism, social ecology, and collective responsibility in the climate change era. Designed by visual artist Theaster Gates, red, black & GREEN:  a blues brings together Joseph with an ensemble cast directed by Cornerstone Theater’s Michael John Garcés. The piece, developed during a three-year community-based civic and creative process, strives to unite communities around a broader definition of sustainable living.

This interactive installation and performance piece re-imagines a green movement that is inclusive of black and brown voices, and posits that valuing life is the first step to valuing the planet. rbGb takes place within a modular set of row houses made from repurposed materials. These houses represent four American cities – Oakland, New York, Houston, and Chicago – where rbGb’s narrative grew out of the stories and energy cultivated at Joseph’s signature Life is Living Festivals. Within and among the houses, distinctive characters share personal stories through poetry, monologue, song, and movement that reflect on poverty, violence, racial consciousness – and how we, as a collective society, can invent and navigate sustainable survival practices in urban America.

Immersing audiences in a new mode of kinetic performance, rbGb strives to unite communities around a broader definition of sustainable living and to be a catalyst for cultural and creative engagement. The ensemble cast includes actor/dancer Traci Tolmaire, musician Tommy Shepherd, and vocalist/visual artist Theaster Gates. Additional collaborators include choreographer Stacey Printz, filmmaker Eli Jacobs-Fantauzzi, lighting designer James Clotfelter, and media designer David Szlasa.

red, black & GREEN: a blues premiered at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in Oct 2011. It is presented in Seattle as part of The Next Fifty, celebrating the 50^th anniversary of the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair, Apr 21 – Oct 21, 2012. Spearheaded by Seattle Center Foundation, The Next Fifty brings together our community through varied events, activities and exhibits addressing the pressing issues of our day and future. Art, Culture and Design and history thematically unit the six months, and a focus on Sustainable Futures launches the celebration.

This presentation is made possible by the New England Foundation for the Arts’ National Dance Project, with lead funding from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, with additional funding from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation.

Next 50 premier partners include:  Bartell Drugs, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Seattle Center Monorail. Funding and promotional partners include: 206 Inc., 4Culture, City of Seattle, Global Health Nexus, Grousemont Foundation, Hill & Knowlton Strategies, KOMO 4 TV, KUOW 94.9 Public Radio, One to the World, Safeco Insurance:  A Liberty Mutual Company, Seattle Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs, Sheraton Seattle Hotel, TPN (The Production Network), Washington Economic Development Commission, and World Vision.

The organizers of the World’s Fair left the legacy of Seattle Center to allow for a place in the core of our region for the community to gather for celebration, contemplation and renewal. In keeping with their vision, The Next Fifty is challenging our rich and varied community to engage in the critical discussions of our day, essential gatherings, and inspiring presentations. For more information on red, black & GREEN:  a blues and The Next Fifty at Seattle Center, visitwww.seattlecenter.com or call 206 684-7200.

 Similar to the 1962 World’s Fair, The Next Fifty looks to the future for much of its inspiration and programming ideas. The hope is to create synergies that will inspire a shared vision for the region in the years ahead. Hundreds of community volunteers have worked tirelessly over the past 18 months to plan the hundreds of activities and attractions of The Next Fifty. The broad support will bring about an extraordinary golden anniversary celebration that honors the past, celebrates the present, and envisions future possibilities.

 Arts, culture and design and history tie together the six months. The individual months focus on key areas of regional leadership and development, including:

• Sustainable Futures, April 21 – May 31
• Science and Technology, June
• Global Health, July
• Learning, August
• Commerce and the Innovation Economy, September
• Civic Action, October

 The newly printed Next 50 Guide contains descriptions for many of the exhibits, demonstrations, live performances, speakers, panel discussions, films, children’s attractions, and community gatherings. Information on additional activities can be found online beginning on April 15 at www.seattlecenter.com.

 Here are just some of the anniversary activities listed in the Next 50 Guide:

• Opening Day sponsored by Bartell Drugs
• Earth Day
• One to the World™ Digital Classroom
• Next 50 Digital Channel
• Seattle Takes Care
• House of the Immediate Future (Habitat for Humanity)
• Seattle Center Playway
• Earth Portal:  A Guided Tour of the Universe
• World Vision’s Step into Africa
• Looking Forward:  the New Heros, photographic exploration
• Next 50 Film Series presented by Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF)
• Future of Film Expo and Festival presented by NFFTY
• red black and GREEN:  a blues
• Trash Fashion Futures
• Emerald City Search
• World’s Fair Employee Reunion Picnic
• Seafair Honors The Next Fifty
• Seattle Center Big Birthday Bash
• Living City Design Competition Exhibit presented by International Living Building Institute
• Environmental Justice Network Alliance – Middle School Showcase
• Energy Weekend, Water & Habitat Weekend, Food & Waste Weekend
• Urban Intervention Design Ideas Competition:  presentation and exhibit
• Mobility Day and Alternative Vehicle Rally
• Sustainable Communities at Northwest Folklife Festival
• Seattle Science Festival, Science EXPO Day and Science Festival Week
• Science Luminaries Series
• Academy of Interactive Entertainment Summer Cyber Camp
• SpreadingScience Panels
• Seattle Mini-Maker Faire
• P4 Medicine:  Why Seattle is Leading the Charge
• Ashoka’s Youth Venture Community Panels and Showcase
• WBBA Life Science Innovation Northwest Conference International Delegation Reception
• Global Health Nexus “Be The Change” Student Competition
• Agency, formerly Party with a Purpose
• Groundswell: A Night For Global Health
• Health Fair Day
• Building Faithful Partnerships in Global Health
• Global Health Experience
• Classroom of the Future Exhibition Launch
• Classroom of the Future Exhibition
• People ● Passion ● Purpose (P3):  A Learning Conversation and P3:  Join the Conversation
• Education in the Next 50
• Seattle Marathon 10K Race presented by Next 50
• People ● Passion ● Purpose (P3):  A Learning Odyssey 
• Beyond Oil -  Transforming Transportation in the 21st Century
• Seattle Center Big Birthday Bash sponsored by Bartell Drugs
• Ethnic Chambers Exporting Seminar
• Innovation in our Region – Cultural, Social, Technological Futures
• Women in Innovation Summit 2012 – Women of The Next Fifty
• Innovation as a Team Sport Speakers series
• See It. Be It. Career Discovery Fair
• The Next Fifty Gubernatorial Debate
• Neighborhood Film Project “A Story Runs Through It – Charting a New Course of Action”
• Seattle’s Social Innovation Fast Pitch presented by Social Venture Partners
• iLEAP Global Summit on Social Innovation and Civic Action
• Closing Day with Seattle Symphony Orchestra sponsored by Bartell Drugs

The six-month celebration makes use of the entire Seattle Center campus. Many of the planned events, including most exhibits and weekend gatherings, are free and open to the public. Hands-on activities for families and children will occupy Next 50 Plaza, located to the west of EMP Museum, along with several experiential exhibits in Next 50 Pavilion. International Fountain Pavilion (formerly Northwest Craft Center) will house the history exhibits and a photographic exploration of young social entrepreneurs. Many of the evening and weekend events, including conferences, performances, speakers and film series, will be presented in the Intiman Playhouse.

 A number of the organizations that reside at Seattle Center are partnering with The Next Fifty to present concerts, festivals, theatrical performances, lectures and competitions. Several of the Festál cultural weekends contain elements that honor and recognize the anniversary. In the warmer months, the celebration makes use of outdoor spaces for concerts, parties and picnics.

 Visitors to The Next Fifty will discover significant changes in the Armory/Center House, including:  new interior spaces in the atrium area, larger storefront windows and doors, exposed structural steel, and a 60-foot long exterior deck facing onto the campus. New food vendors offering fresh, local food and beverages will move into the renovated areas during the first months of the anniversary celebration. The atrium space, designed by Graham Baba Architects (GBA), now reflects the building’s authenticity and historic place in the community, harkening back to its origins with a new name “Seattle Center Armory.”

 Seattle Center Foundation is heading up the 50^th anniversary celebration, working with 19 volunteer committees to plan the events, cultivating partnerships to enable the programming and capital development, and reaching out to the region to ensure broad community participation. The Foundation estimates that in 2011 only volunteers devoted over 10,000 hours to The Next Fifty.

 Funding and promotional partners include:  206 Inc., 4Culture, Bartell Drugs, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, City of Seattle, Global Health Nexus, Grousemont Foundation, Hill & Knowlton Strategies, KOMO 4 TV, KUOW 94.9 Public Radio, One to the World, Safeco Insurance:  A Liberty Mutual Company, Seattle Center Monorail, Seattle Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs, Sheraton Seattle Hotel, TPN (The Production Network), Washington Economic Development Commission, and World Vision.

 The organizers of the World’s Fair left the legacy of Seattle Center to allow for a place in the core of our region for the community to gather for celebration, contemplation and renewal.  In keeping with their vision, The Next Fifty is challenging our rich and varied community to engage in the critical discussions of our day, essential gatherings, and inspiring presentations. For more information on The Next Fifty and Seattle Center, visit www.seattlecenter.com or call 206 684-7200.