New Monuments Initiative

Monuments make a public statement about the ideas, values, or individuals a community thinks their society should remember or honor. ArtWorks, along with partnering community organizations, will work to ensure that Cincinnati’s statement is one of equity, justice, and truth-telling. The New Monuments initiative will aim to reimagine and rebuild commemorative spaces that celebrate and affirm the historical contributions of the many diverse communities that make up the United States. New Monuments can take the form of prototypes, outdoor art exhibitions, and mixed media materials. They are more than memorials, historians’ markers, and public statuary, but also storytelling spaces, and civic spaces to gather and make meaning. Through this work, ArtWorks plans to host public dialogue and reflection and recenter voices, stories, and narratives to include those who have often been denied historical recognition to inform the creation of new monuments in Cincinnati.

 

 

Share Your Thoughts

ArtWorks’ New Monuments Workbook
Download our free workbook to engage in many creative prompts! Then share your thoughts by uploading your completed workbook to our Drop Box below!

ArtWorks’ New Monuments Drop Box
Upload your completed New Monuments Workbook here!

Contact asha@artworkscincinnati.org with any questions or comments.


Events

Visit us in person at one of our upcoming events.


Our Mission

The New Monuments initiative will aim to reimagine and rebuild commemorative spaces that celebrate and affirm the historical contributions of the many diverse communities that make up Cincinnati and the United States.


Phases

  • Phase 1: Program Development, Partnership, & Hiring (July – December 2022)
  • Phase 2: Engagement, Research, and Inventory (December 2022 – December 2023) The Civic Artist Studio will develop and implement a community engagement plan that will inform the development of additional New Monuments in Cincinnati.
  • Phase 3: Monument Creation and Activation

Civic Studio Artists

View Artists


Support for this project has been provided by The City of Cincinnati, the Greater Cincinnati Foundation and the Carol Ann & Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation.
Support for this project has been provided by The City of Cincinnati, the Greater Cincinnati Foundation and the Carol Ann & Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation. ArtWorks has engaged the support and input of community leaders to help guide the progress of this initiative. The advisory committee is comprised of leaders in the business, government, social welfare, and education sectors of our region.


New Monuments Advisory Committee Members:

  • Shauna Murphy, Assistant Superintendent at CPS, Office of Innovation and Strategic Partnerships and Director
  • Marin Emanuel, Multimedia Creator, ArtWorks Youth Apprentice Alum
  • Kathy Nardiello, Co-Founder and Committee member of ArtsWave Pride & Regional Manager in the Industrial Manufacturing vertical at Oracle Corporation
  • Maria Seda-Reeder, Wavepool Director of Exhibitions and Artist Support Initiatives
  • Caitlin Behle, Director of Community Leadership at Design Impact
  • William P. Umphres, Ph.D, The incoming Director of the Center for Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation, Assistant Professor, Educator School of Public and International Affairs University of Cincinnati
  • Jackie Congedo, Chief Community Engagement & External Relations Officer
  • Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center
  • Rod Walton, Director of Operations at Cohear, Interim CEO
  • Dr. Gary P. Zola, Executive Director, The Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives & The Edward M. Ackerman Family Distinguished Professor of the American Jewish Experience and Reform Jewish History
  • April Gallelli, Program Manager, Hamilton County Community Development
  • Jennifer Spieser, Executive Director, Cincinnati Parks Foundation
  • Michael Coppage, Conceptual Artist, & Lead artist, Black Art Speaks
  • Alandes Powell, Visionary/Co-Owner, Black Art Speaks
  • Rosie Polter, Cultural Resource Consultant
A BIG THANKS TO OUR
ONGOING FUNDERS