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2020 in Photos

      
         

What a Year!


2020 has definitely been filled with unexpected changes, challenges, and incredible resilience in the face of COVID-19. We're inspired by your continued dedication to take action and make a difference this year. Take a look at some highlights below!

DISCOVERY CENTER @ HOME

       

When we closed in March due to COVID-19, we launched Discovery Center @ Home, a hub for free online resources, staff picks, lesson plans, and tools to continue taking action together while apart.

TEEN ACTION FAIR LIVE AND OUR YOUTH AMBASSADOR PROGRAM

        

The Discovery Center Youth Ambassadors presented a series of virtual events filmed live for nearly 1,300 participants during April and May. The events featured performances, local organization spotlights, fun activities, a collective art project, and Q&As with local youth activists, organizers, and artists.

Our annual, week-long summer workshops for middle and high school students were held virtually this year, too. Participants learned about local and global issues and explored the crucial role that they can play in creating positive social change in their communities.

Each fall, high school-aged youth who care deeply about local and global issues, fostering inclusion and belonging, and creating youth-focused programs and exhibits to inspire positive social change, apply to join our Youth Ambassador Program. We now have over 25 engaged youth from a diverse range of schools across the region in our cohort. We look forward to their amazing work in 2021!

"IN COMMUNITY WE FLOURISH" SERIES

        

We launched "In Community We Flourish," a series of virtual lunchtime events in partnership with Civic Commons and incredible community organizations. In total, about 1,000 participants viewed the 4 events: Resilience, We All Count: 2020 Census, Education & Equity, and Art & Creativity Now. We're excited to continue this series and amplify local organizations and community members in the new year.

VIRTUAL SCHOOL GROUP EXPERIENCES

                   

We started offering virtual, real-time, interactive presentations engaging hundreds of students in lively and thought-provoking conversations about complex social issues. Subjects range from COVID-19 to Global and Local Challenges to an examination of the Food System, and more! Sign your group of 5+ students up today.

Our usual educator events and workshops moved to the virtual space too! And there’s more planned. Sign up here. We look forward to continuing these experiences in the new year.

REFLECTIONS: 20 YEARS OF THE BILL & MELINDA GATES FOUNDATION

        

Now on view in the windows along the outside of the Discovery Center and online, this special exhibition highlights the work of six Seattle-area artists with over 20 artistic interpretations of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s work with partners over the last 20 years.

Artists began creating their artworks for this exhibition in January 2020 just as COVID-19 was spreading throughout the world. This had a strong influence on their work.

THROUGH POSITIVE EYES: MY PHOTO, MY HIV STORY

         

On World AIDS Day (Dec. 1), we virtually launched Through Positive Eyes, a global exhibition featuring photography, stories, and videos created by people living with HIV/AIDS. Highlights include stories from Seattle area artivists (artists + activists) and virtual school experiences around the various themes and stories. The exhibition shows a broad picture of the epidemic and coalesces around a belief that challenging stigma against people living with HIV/AIDS is one of the most effective methods for combating the epidemic.

100 LOCAL CHANGEMAKERS

        

In 2020, our 100 Local Changemakers became regular fixtures in our public and youth programs as well as on our social media. These young leaders are artists, community organizers, entrepreneurs, activists, and storytellers who are driving positive change by raising their voices, exercising their civic power, and applying their skills and talents to shape a better Washington for all of us! More power to them as we go into the new year.

Visit Us Virtually




Plan a Virtual Visit

While apart, we can still take action together! Discover innovations and inventions that are helping to create a world where every person has the opportunity to live a healthy and productive life. Take action on a cause that you care about. Learn more at discovergates.org and connect with us on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter today (all @DiscoverGates)!
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Gates Foundation Discovery Center
440 Fifth Avenue North
Seattle, Washington 98109

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Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
500 5th Ave N
Seattle, Washington 98109
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