“All that you touch You Change. All that you Change Changes you." Octavia E. Butler

Seeding Futures is the first of its kind long-term youth focused exhibit on the life and work of American science fiction writer Octavia E. Butler (1947-2006). 

Octavia E. Butler: Seeding Futures is now open to the public at the New Children’s Museum! Explore a room-sized installation that imaginatively embodies Butler’s story through a speculative rendering that explores Butler’s childhood inspirations and influences. While interacting with the exhibit, youth and multi-generational audiences can engage in worldmaking to imagine fantastical ways to adapt to and shape change in the future.

This exhibition was made in collaboration with a network of advisors, community partners and artists. Plan your visit today to experience Octavia E. Butler: Seeding Futures!

Funding for “Octavia E. Butler: Seeding Futures” is provided in part by Prebys Foundation, The Getty Foundation, National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), California Humanities, a non-profit partner of the NEH, and the City of San Diego. Special thanks to the Octavia E. Butler Estate, Octavia E. Butler Enterprises for in-kind support.

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Octavia E. Butler: Seeding Futures Panel with Dr. Ayana Jamieson, American Artist, + Lynell George

On March 9, 2024, to celebrate the launch of “Octavia E. Butler: Seeding Futures” exhibition, The New Children’s Museum hosted a free panel conversation at Park & Market to discuss the life, legacy, and global influence of Octavia E. Butler.

Octavia E. Butler: Seeding Futures

Experience this one-of-a-kind installation with the whole family!

Seed-to-Tree Workshop August 2023

This two-day gathering explored the legacy and life of award-winning visionary author Octavia E. Butler through an interactive workshop with selected Earthseed Fellows. Scroll for highlights of this amazing collaboration!

meet the seeding futures collective

Butler encouraged each of us to reimagine the ways we build community and how we create more intentional spaces of belonging.  Throughout the research, dreaming, and development process of this exhibit we’ve remained grounded in Butler’s vision of community, and have collaborated with various field experts and creatives who, like Butler, are telling stories of alternative futures that are fairer, more just and hopeful.   
The Seeding Futures Collective consists of the following collaborators: 

This installation is made possible in part by