PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The City of Philadelphia has issued an open call for artists to design a permanent Harriet Tubman statue in the city, after a process that’s been mired in controversy.
Officials originally commissioned a white male artist from North Carolina who had created a traveling statue honoring the Black abolitionist who helped slaves gain freedom before the Civil War. That statue was displayed at City Hall from January until March 2022 to celebrate her 200th birthday.
After negative feedback from Black artists about the selection process, they rescinded that offer.
“We will be giving a priority to artists that reflect the diversity of Philadelphia,” said Kelly Lee, Philadelphia’s chief cultural officer and director of the Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy.
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“Minority and female artists are strongly encouraged to apply, and we’re also giving priority to local artists.”
She said all interested artists should submit their qualifications.
“We are looking for an artist who can demonstrate the ability to create a quality monumental work of sculpture,” she said.
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The budget for this project is $500,000.
The five artists chosen from this part of the selection process will compete for a chance to make the sculpture, with each receiving $1,000 to do renderings.
The deadline for artist submissions is Jan. 26 at 5 p.m.