Call for Artists for a Permanent Harriet Tubman Statue
A permanent Harriet Tubman statue is being commissioned to be placed in Center City on the Northeast side of City Hall.
The budget for the project is $500,000 and the deadline to apply is January 26th, 2023.
There was a temporary traveling exhibition honoring Harriet Tubman in Philadelphia earlier this year and we apparently liked it so much, we are creating one of our own. The City of Philadelphia’s Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy (OACCE) and the African American Historic Statue Advisory Committee (Advisory Committee) are teaming up to launch a competition to find an artist for this project.
The public art statue will be placed on the Northeast apron of City Hall and will celebrate Harriet Tubman’s life, story and legacy. Through the contest, they hope to attract a wide variety of high-quality design ideas and original creative expressions.
According to the press release, “Philadelphia is city with a BIPOC and minority population of over 60%, however the City has only 12 statues that reflect diverse people groups and only 8 statues of females.” The city is working to change this, and maybe you can help. Philadelphia played (and continues to play) an important role in the nation’s history, and played an important role in Harriet Tubman’s history. It was Philadelphia where Harriet Tubman found freedom after escaping from slavery in Maryland in 1849. The city was a frequent Underground Railroad stop.
A permanent Harriet Tubman statue will be featured prominently in Center City in the near future, but who will design it? Maybe you?
If you think you’re capable of designing this important and historic public art project in Philadelphia, submit your qualifications.
- This public art competition is open to all interested artists or artist teams.
- Priority will be given to artists or artist teams who reflect the diversity of Philadelphia, and minority and female artists or artist teams are strongly encouraged to apply.
- Local artists or artist teams who live or work in the Greater Philadelphia area will also be prioritized for this opportunity, but any artist may apply.
This is a two-part competition consisting of:
- Part 1: Submission of Qualifications (All artists or artist teams who are interested in this opportunity are invited to respond to this Call for Artists by submitting an application detailing their qualifications ONLY).
- Part 2: Semi-Finalist Proposals.
More information on the submissions process and how to apply can be found HERE.
I can’t wait to see what the talented artists of Philadelphia come up with.
~ Kristen
