Public Artwork Specifications
Public art will be an integral part of the commemorative work’s concept design. Concepts will be tailored to each site and its context and include different forms of public art that will be the
focal point of each commemorative work. The type of public art will be determined by the project team as part of the preferred concept for each site. In general, public art in public spaces
are:
- engaging, welcoming, site specific, reflective of community perspectives
- highly durable, sustainable, and low maintenance, demonstrating maintainability, sustained structural and surface soundness and resistance to vandalism and weathering;
- can withstand light cleaning using power washing and water spray from potential sprinkler system;
- must be fire resistant;
- lighting components are low maintenance and energy efficient;
- can be functional, contemplative, complement the visual landscape.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The TAP will increase commemorative works in the District by emphasizing local subjects, build on previous work to identify commemorative subjects and sites, and assist groups that lack financial resources to participate in the District’s Commemorative Works Program. Today, the District lacks commemorative works honoring local subjects representing Black Washingtonians and other leaders of color. As the Nation’s capital, monuments and commemorative works have typically been focused on or reserved for individuals of national importance within the monumental core, the original L’Enfant City, and in Wards 1, 2, 3, and 6. Some of these commemorate subjects participated in slavery, systemic racism, and the mistreatment of, or actions that suppressed equality for, persons of color, women, etc. The program will emphasize commemoration of Black Washingtonians and other leaders of color and increase the number of commemorative works outside of the monumental core. These problems are highlighted in the findings of DC Mayor Muriel Bowser’s DC FACES working group and reflected in the updated Comprehensive Plan (Policy UD-1.1.4: Siting and Design of Monuments and Memorials), the Diverse Washingtonians Act, and the work of the CWC.
The TAP’s core strategy seeks to address the lack of commemoration of local and diverse Washingtonians, particularly in Wards 4, 5, 7 and 8, by providing direct technical support through a design consultant under contract with OP to reduce costs associated with developing commemorative works projects. Communities and individuals, especially Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) communities, may lack the resources and discretionary income to fund design services associated with commemorative works, which are typically funded through private donations. To date, the only recent commemorative works honoring local Washingtonians have been sponsored and commissioned by District agencies.
View Calendar of Key Dates <— | —> View Application Review Criteria