Philadelphia's Permanent Harriet Tubman Statue Call For Artists
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Philadelphia’s Permanent Harriet Tubman Statue
Call For Artists
Project Budget: $500,000
Deadline for Submissions-Part 1: JANUARY 26, 2023 @ 5:00 p.m. ET
CITY OF PHILADELPHIA
Jim Kenney, Mayor
OFFICE OF ARTS, CULTURE AND THE CREATIVE ECONOMY
Kelly Lee, Chief Cultural Officer
Marguerite Anglin, Public Art Director
AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORIC STATUE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Philadelphia’s Permanent Harriet Tubman Statue Call for Artists
Submission Deadline January 26, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.
PROJECT OVERVIEW:
The City of Philadelphia’s Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy (OACCE) and the
African American Historic Statue Advisory Committee (Advisory Committee), consisting of
public arts professionals, historians, educators, community representatives, and family
members of Harriet Tubman announce a competition to commission a site-specific, public
art statue on the Northeast apron of City Hall that will celebrate Harriet Tubman’s life, story
and legacy. Proposals are being solicited through the City’s public art commissioning
process to attract a wide variety of high-quality design ideas and original creative
expressions for this important and historic public art project in Philadelphia.
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 and Part 2:
Semi-Finalist Proposals. In Part 1 of the competition, 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. Applicants will be narrowed into a smaller
group of the five (5) best qualified Semi-Finalists who will move on to Part 2 of the
competition where design proposals will be requested. No design proposals are requested
at this time.
Public input and participation will be vital to ensuring the voices of Philadelphians are
reflected in the development of the Harriet Tubman statue. Public engagement
opportunities will allow Semi-Finalists to hear directly from members of the public about
their ideas and aspirations for this project. Semi-Finalists will be encouraged to align their
proposals with input and feedback provided by the public.
PROJECT BACKGROUND:
The City of Philadelphia hosted the temporary Harriet Tubman-The Journey to Freedom
statue by Wesley Wofford on the North Apron of City Hall from January 11-March 31, 2022 in
celebration of Harriet Tubman’s 200th Birthday. Close to four million people either visited the
statue in Philadelphia or experienced the statue and its positive response through social
media. More than 57 corresponding Celebration of Harriet Tubman programs were attended
by more than 18,000 people, which expanded the visibility of the temporary statue and
increased the public’s desire for a permanent sculpture in Philadelphia.
Due to the public’s positive responses to the temporary statue, the City announced in March
2022 a direct commission for the same artist to create a permanent Harriet Tubman statue
specifically for Philadelphia. Following the announcement, concerns were raised by some
local artists, community members, and stakeholders that the direct commission did not
allow for diverse and local artists to apply for this opportunity through an open call process.
In June 2022, the City announced that it would conduct an open Call for Artists. In October
2022, the City distributed a public input survey, and the results reiterated the public’s desire
for a statue of Harriet Tubman. As such, the City of Philadelphia is commissioning a statue
that celebrates Harriet Tubman’s life and legacy and will connect our present day lives to the
Page 2Philadelphia’s Permanent Harriet Tubman Statue Call for Artists
Submission Deadline January 26, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.
incredible and intricate story of this legendary hero, abolitionist, civic activist, and human
rights advocate.
An important role of public art is to tell diverse stories and histories that reflect the city’s
people, values and culture. 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. Philadelphia’s Harriet Tubman statue will be in good company with a
statue of another African American historic figure A Quest for Parity: The Octavius V. Catto
Memorial by Branly Cadet, which is located on the southwest apron of City Hall. However,
Harriet Tubman will be one of the City’s first public art statues honoring a historic African
American female figure.
Known as the “Moses of her people,” Harriet Tubman was enslaved, escaped, and helped
others gain their freedom as a “conductor" of the Underground Railroad. Tubman risked her
own life repeatedly to lead and liberate others that were enslaved. Tubman also served as a
scout, spy, guerrilla soldier, and nurse for the Union Army during the Civil War. She is
considered the first African American woman to serve in the military. Philadelphia plays a
significant role in Harriet Tubman’s history, being the place where she found freedom after
escaping from slavery in Maryland in 1849 and being a frequent Underground Railroad stop.
The City of Philadelphia is pleased by the outpouring of love, support, and pride for Harriet
Tubman, from the millions of people who were impacted by the temporary Harriet Tubman
sculpture at City Hall, attended the Celebration of Harriet Tubman programs, and
participated in the City’s October 2022 public input survey to inform the goals of this public
art project. The commission of a Harriet Tubman statue will ensure that Harriet’s legacy of
courage, faith, and community will continue to be commemorated, celebrated, and
sustained for future generations. For more about Harriet Tubman’s story, see this brief
timeline of her life and accomplishments.
PUBLIC INPUT AND PROJECT GOALS:
From October 3-24, 2022 the City of Philadelphia Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative
Economy (OACCE) and the Advisory Committee conducted a public input survey to help
inform the goals and outcomes of the statue, including who Philadelphians want the statue
to celebrate and how they want the artwork to make them feel. 515 people participated in
the survey and the results showed that a majority of respondents (nearly 51%) want a statue
of Harriet Tubman. A one-page summary of the key survey findings and the full Public
Survey Report can be found on OACCE’s website.
As a result of the public survey, the following goals have been determined as most
important to Philadelphians as the intended outcomes of this project:
1. The City of Philadelphia will commission a public art statue that celebrates Harriet
Tubman’s life, story, legacy, significance to Philadelphia and contributions to our
nation’s history.
2. The impact and outcome of the statue on Philadelphia should be twofold: 1) to bring
untold stories to light, and 2) to inspire viewers to mirror the contributions of the
celebrated figure(s) in their own communities.
Page 3Philadelphia’s Permanent Harriet Tubman Statue Call for Artists
Submission Deadline January 26, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.
3. The story that is told through this public artwork should cause viewers to remember
the following top 5 themes after visiting the statue: 1) Harriet Tubman’s Story and
Legacy; 2) Learning About the Contributions that African Americans Made to History;
3) Feeling Inspired to Take Action and Make a Difference; 4) How African Americans
Impacted the City of Philadelphia; and 5) The Struggle for Equity is Not Over, But
Continues.
4. The design of the statue should resonate with the viewer, evoking an emotional
response of pride, inspiration, and empowerment, which were the top three
emotions that respondents wanted to feel when experiencing the artwork.
5. The figure(s) represented by the statue should have a direct connection to
Philadelphia, including being a native Philadelphian, having family connections to
Philadelphia, working/living/educated in Philadelphia, or major accomplishments
occurred in Philadelphia.
LOCATION AND SITE DESCRIPTION:
Philadelphia City Hall is the seat of the municipal government for the City of Philadelphia.
City Hall houses the chambers of the Philadelphia City Council and the offices of the Mayor
of Philadelphia. Completed in 1901, City Hall is the world’s largest free-standing masonry
building and the largest municipal building in the United States. The new statue will occupy
an exterior, paved hardscape area located on the Northeast Apron of City Hall. The site is
located on the north side, and eastern corner of the City Hall building, at the intersection of
Broad Street and John F Kennedy Blvd. The site is visible from all sides, by passing vehicles
heading north along Broad Street and pedestrians approaching from all directions. The
concrete paved site is bounded by a curved planted landscape buffer with bollards that
separates the site from the sidewalk. Artists or artist teams will need to consider the
orientation and positioning of the statue so that it relates to the existing parameters and
constraints of the site, including the curvature of the pavement. The siting of the statue will
need to allow pedstrians to walk around and access the statue on all sides.
Photo of Site for Harriet Tubman statue at North Apron of City Hall, looking northeast
(Blue line indicates boundary of statue installation area)
Page 4Philadelphia’s Permanent Harriet Tubman Statue Call for Artists
Submission Deadline January 26, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.
The apron of City Hall is also home to other works of public art that are larger than life
bronze sculptures featuring important figures in Philadelphia history. The winning design for
the Harriet Tubman statue will need to be prominent, impactful and just as monumental
among these other City Hall statues listed below, to reflect her importance and significance
to Philadelphia:
City Hall North Apron:
Major General John Fulton Reynolds by John Rodgers, 1884
The equestrrian scultpture honors Pennsylvania native, John Fulton Reynolds, who was
the highest ranking officer in the Union Army killed in action during the Battle of
Gettysburg. The sculpture was commissioned by the Grand Amy of the Republic.
General George McClellan by Henry Jackson Ellicott, 1894
Born in Philadelphia, McClellan would later serve as a General in the Union Army during
the Civil War. The equestrian sculpture was commissioned by the Grand Army of the
Republic and donated to the City of Philadelphia.
John Christian Bullitt by John J. Boyle, 1907
Bullitt was a laywer in Philadelphia that served on the Pennsylvania Constitutional
Convention and created the document that would later become the Philadelphia City
Charter. The standing figure statue was commissioned by admirers of Bullitt and
donated to the City of Philadephia.
Matthias William Baldwin by Herbert Adams, 1905
Baldwin was an American inventor and machinery manufacturer, specializing in the
production of steam locomotives. He was also an abolitionist, a defender of Black
franchise, a donor for schools for Blacks, and a workforce integrator, all of which caused
him to lose business in Southern states in the decades preceding the Civil War. The
sculpture was commissioned by the Baldwin Loctomotive Works, and the Association for
Public Art.
City Hall South Apron:
William McKinley by Charles Albert Lopez and Isidore Konti, 1908
This sculpture was commissioned by the McKinley Memorial Association and the
Association of Public Art and donated to the City of Philadelphia. The sculpture was
publicly endorsed by the Philadelphia Inquirer who suggested a statue to be erected to
honor President William McKinley who was assinated in 1901. The original sculptor,
Charles Albert Lopez passed away before the final stages of fabrication could be
completed, and Isidore Konti was selected to complete the work after Lopez’s models.
A Quest for Parity: The Octavius V. Catto Memorial by Branly Cadet, 2017
One of Philadelphia’s most influential leaders, Catto was a scholar, educator, Civil Rights
Activist, and athlete. He was murdered during a moment of election-day violence in
Philadelphia on October 10, 1871. The sculpture was commissioned by the Octavius V.
Catto Memorial Fund.
City Hall East Apron:
John Wanamaker by John Massey Rhind, 1923
Page 5Philadelphia’s Permanent Harriet Tubman Statue Call for Artists
Submission Deadline January 26, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.
The standing figure sculpture honors Wanamaker who was a 19th Century Philadelphia
political civic figure, postmaster genereal, and perhaps the most disitnguishded
merchant of his time. With Wanamaker’s department store, he orignated the concept of
“one price and goods returnable,” and is said to be one of the earliest originators of
adverstising and marketing.
PUBLIC ART COMMISSIONING PROCESS:
This Call for Artist is a two-part competition consisting of Part 1: Submission of
Qualifications and Part 2: Semi-Finalist Proposals. All artists or artist teams who are
interested in Philadelphia’s Harriet Tubman statue competition are invited to respond to this
Call for Artists by submitting an application detailing their qualifications ONLY. No design
proposals are required at this time. The Call for Artists Part 1 will be open for eight (8) weeks
and the artists or artist teams will submit their application and materials through OACCE’s
free online application system called Submittable. A total budget of $500,000 has been
allocated for this public art commission. This sum is inclusive of all artist(s) fees, renderings,
research, insurance, engineering, fabrication, foundations, installation, site construction,
travel, and all other project related expenses.
PART 1: SUBMISSION OF QUALIFICATIONS
During Part 1 of the competition, interested artists or artist teams will submit an application
detailing their qualifications only. Applicants are narrowed down into a smaller group of
Semi-Finalists who will move on to the next stage of the competition.
Part 1 consists of the following:
Artist Informational Meeting
Early in the Call for Artist period, OACCE will host an optional Artist Informational Meeting
for artists or artist teams interested in applying for the Harriet Tubman Statue commission.
During this meeting, artists or artist teams can ask questions about the project, the
application, and/or the process. All questions that are asked will also be answered in writing
and posted on OACCE’s website to provide all interested artists or artist teams with the
information.
Selection of Semi-Finalists
At the end of the Call for Artist application period, all applications received will be reviewed
by OACCE and the Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee will select (5) Semi-
Finalists, taking into consideration the public’s feedback, and will also ensure the public’s
voice is reflected in the artwork. Artists or artist teams competing for this commission must
demonstrate the ability to create original, monumental works of sculpture that are
engaging, evoke an emotional response and convey a positive visual experience that
resonates with the viewer. Examples of past artwork should be indicative of the artist’s or
artist team’s aesthetic, craftsmanship, and overall appropriateness for an outdoor site.
The five (5) best artist’s applications will be selected as the Harriet Tubman Statue Semi-
Finalists. The applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Capacity and demonstrated ability to create high quality, monumental works of
sculpture that are relevant to this public art opportunity and suitable for the public
realm;
Page 6Philadelphia’s Permanent Harriet Tubman Statue Call for Artists
Submission Deadline January 26, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.
- Prior work that is engaging and evokes an emotional response from the viewer;
- Connection of the artist to Philadelphia;
- Artist or artist teams that reflect the diversity of Philadelphia;
- Unique point of view, approach, or style of work;
- Response to questions demonstrating the artist’s understanding of the goals and
importance of this public art project.
PART 2: SEMI-FINALISTS PROPOSALS
During Part 2 of the competition, the five (5) Semi-Finalists who are selected by the Advisory
Committee will create and propose original designs for the Harriet Tubman statue. A Finalist
artist or artist team will be selected from the competing Semi-Finalists and recommended
by the Advisory Committee for ultimate approval by the Philadelphia Art Commission. The
five (5) Semi-Finalists will receive a $1,000 stipend to develop a thorough design proposal
for the Harriet Tubman statue and will submit their design proposals by the due date in the
timeline below. The stipend should cover the costs of producing a written and visual
proposal including images, models, renderings, or other materials. The Semi-Finalists’ design
proposals will also be submitted using OACCE’s free application platform, Submittable. Part
2 consists of the following:
Semi-Finalist Pre-Proposal Meeting and Site Visit
Shortly after the Semi-Finalists are selected, a mandatory Pre-Proposal Meeting and Site
Visit will be held to give Semi-Finalists more detailed information on the project, the site
location, and the requirements for submitting a design proposal for Philadelphia’s Harriet
Tubman statue. The artist or artist teams will receive an outline of information that should
be included in their design proposals, including proposal evaluation criteria. Upon notice, all
Semi-Finalists are required to sign the Artist Semi-Finalist Agreement/Acknowledgement
Form attached. (Note this is separate from the contract that will be signed by the selected
Finalist mentioned below).
Public Input Meeting #1
Prior to developing their proposals, OACCE will host a public meeting with the Semi-
Finalists to allow Philadelphians to meet and provide input on what would be inspirational to
them prior to the artist or artist teams creating their designs and proposals.
Semi-Finalists Create and Submit Design Proposals
The (5) Semi-Finalists will submit an original design proposal for the Harriet Tubman Statue
including visual renderings and drawings of the artist’s proposed statue designs and a
written and audio narrative describing the artist’s original concept, proposed materials,
design approach, schedule, budget, and maintenance information.
Public Input Meeting #2
The Semi-Finalists will participate in Public Meeting #2 where they will present their statue
design proposal renderings and/or drawings to the public, and the public will have an
opportunity to ask questions and hear directly from the Semi-Finalist artist or artist teams
about their designs.
Public Voting and Feedback on Semi-Finalist Design Proposals
The (5) Semi-Finalists’ statue design proposal drawings and audio and written descriptions
of their concepts will be made available to the public. The public will have opportunity
Page 7Philadelphia’s Permanent Harriet Tubman Statue Call for Artists
Submission Deadline January 26, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.
during a four (4) week period to review the (5) Semi-Finalists' design proposals, vote on their
favorite one and provide feedback. The Semi-Finalists will then have an opportunity to
adjust their proposals after the public feedback period (prior to presenting their final design
proposals to the Advisory Committee.)
Semi-Finalist’s Proposal Presentations and Committee Selection of Finalist
The Semi-Finalists will each make presentations of their statue proposals to the Advisory
Committee and OACCE and answer questions from the Advisory Committee about their
designs. The Advisory Committee and OACCE will review all Semi-Finalists proposals and
the public feedback to select one (1) winning Finalist Artist or Artist team’s design proposal.
Design Development Phase
Once a Finalist Artist is selected from the competing Semi-Finalists, a Design Development
phase will occur where the Finalist artist coordinates with OACCE and City operating
agencies to further develop their design concept as needed to conform to technical
parameters of the site at the Northeast Apron of City Hall. The selected Finalist is expected
to work with OACCE and the City on technical concerns to ensure the full integration of the
artwork into the site design.
During this design development stage, the selected Finalist may be required to make
aesthetic and technical revisions and adjustments to their design to conform the art
concept to the site. The artist is expected to make these changes prior to presenting to the
Philadelphia Art Commission for final approval. Any upfront costs or labor incurred by the
Finalist artist prior to the contract (during the Design Development phase or for Art
Commission presentation materials) is the responsibility of the artist. The first payment of
the artist fee will not occur until after the City has executed a contract with the Finalist.
Philadelphia Art Commission Review
The Finalist Artist will prepare a presentation to the Philadelphia Art Commission for final
approval, which is the regulatory body that reviews and approves all public art to be placed
on public property in Philadelphia.
Artist Enters into Contract with the City
Once an artist or artist team receives approval from the Art Commission, the artist or artist
team will enter into a contract with the City of Philadelphia for the fabrication and
installation of the statue. Once a contract with the City is in place, the artist may begin
receiving payment and start fabrication of Philadelphia’s Harriet Tubman statue.
PART 1- SUBMISSION OF QUALIFICATIONS APPLICATION:
Application Requirements:
OACCE collects applications and materials through the Submittable platform, which
requires all first-time users to create a free account. The following must be submitted
through the online application form found at
https://oacce.submittable.com/submit//philadelphias-permanent-harriet-tubman-statue-
part-1
1. Artist(s) Info: Name, Address, Phone, Email, Website, Demographic information
2. Resumé/CV
3. Artist Statement/Bio
4. Response to question: Why does this public art opportunity interest you?
Page 8Philadelphia’s Permanent Harriet Tubman Statue Call for Artists
Submission Deadline January 26, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.
5. Response to question: How have you inspired viewers to take action in their
communities through public art?
6. Response to question: In what other ways, besides the public input opportunities
that are part of the process, can you engage the public in the development of your
statue?
7. Response to question: Do you have a personal history or connection to the City of
Philadelphia? How would this connection lead to creating a successful work of public
art that will relate to Philadelphians?
8. Five to ten (5-10) visual, relevant samples of completed artwork such as jpgs, pngs, or
other acceptable file of your previous artwork (Please provide works that
demonstrate the Selection Criteria on page 6).
9. Image Identification List that includes artwork Title, Year, Materials, Dimensions,
Location, Project Budget
If you need application assistance, please contact Marguerite Anglin at
Marguerite.Anglin@phila.gov at least 7 days prior to the deadline.
Attachments:
• Sample Contract between Final Artist and City of Philadelphia
• Sample Artist Semi-Finalist Agreement/Acknowledgement Form
Notification of Results:
All artists or artist teams that applied will be notified via email of their selection status either
way. Artists or artist teams who are selected as Semi-Finalists are required to confirm their
interest via email prior to moving onto the next stage.
Contract Award
Upon final approval by the Philadelphia Art Commission, the Finalist artist selected will be
required to enter into a contract with the City of Philadelphia prior to commencing with
fabrication and installation of the proposed artwork. No selection shall be deemed final until
the proposal has been fully approved and an agreement is properly executed by the
selected applicant and the City. Changes to the proposal may be required and/or requested
by the City at any stage of the process. If a proposal is not selected from the group of Semi-
Finalists, the City reserves the right to return to the original group of teams who responded
to this Call for Artists or otherwise solicit proposals. The City of Philadelphia reserves the
right to change, modify, or revise the Call for Artists in part or whole, at any time without
prior notice. The City of Philadelphia reserves the right to make no selection for this Call for
Artists. The City reserves the right to reject any proposals or part ways with the Finalist at
any time prior to entering into a contract if it is determined by OACCE to be in the best
interest of the City and project to do so. An example contract is attached and is expected to
be reviewed by all applicants. The selected artist must meet the Insurance and other
requirements listed in the contract. If candidates have any questions or requests for
changes to the contract, these should be raised prior to submitting their art proposals.
Philadelphia’s Harriet Tubman Statue Timeline
Activity Schedule
Public Input Survey Open 10/3- 10/24/22
Public Survey Results Made Available Online 11/21/22
Page 9Philadelphia’s Permanent Harriet Tubman Statue Call for Artists
Submission Deadline January 26, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.
PART 1 - SUBMISSION OF QUALIFICATIONS
Call for Artists Application opens 11/30/2022
Artist Informational Meeting (Optional) RSVP Here 12/14/2022 at 5:30 p.m. ET
Deadline for Part 1- Submission of Qualifications 1/26/2023
Selection of Semi-Finalists by Advisory Committee March 2023
Public Announcement of Semi-Finalists March 2023
PART 2 - SEMI-FINALIST PROPOSALS
Pre-proposal Meeting and Site Visit for Semi-Finalists 4/10/2023
(Mandatory for all Semi-Finalists)
Public Input Meeting #1 w/ Semi-Finalists Week of 4/17-21/2023
(Mandatory for all Semi-Finalists)
Submission Deadline for Part 2- Semi-Finalists’ Proposals 6/9/2023
Public Input Meeting #2 w/ Semi-Finalists (Public Presentation of Week of 6/19-23/2023
Semi-Finalists’ Design Proposals- (Mandatory for all Semi-Finalists)
Public Voting and feedback on Semi-Finalists' Designs July 2023 (4 weeks)
Semi-Finalist’s Presentations to Advisory Committee /Selection of August 2023
Finalist (Mandatory for all Semi-Finalists)
Public Announcement of Selected Finalist September 2023
Design Development Phase Fall 2023- Winter 2023
Finalist Artist presents to the Art Commission for Approval Winter 2023
City Executes Contract with Finalist Artist Spring 2024
Start of Fabrication to Installation Summer 2024- Early 2025
*Schedule is subject to change.
About OACCE:
Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy
The Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy (OACCE) closes the gap in access to
the arts for all Philadelphians and is committed to equitable support of culture and creativity
throughout the city’s neighborhoods. OACCE supports free cultural programming; creates
opportunities for local artists and creative organizations; connects Philadelphians to quality
arts experiences; and preserves the City’s public art assets. OACCE commissions beautiful
and enduring public artworks, which reflect the diversity of Philadelphia’s residents and
visitors, its rich cultural landscape, its many histories and the variety of public spaces in
Philadelphia’s communities.
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