Public Art Commissioning Process for the Charlotte Forten Memorial Project
The City of Salem, Salem Public Art Commission, and the Charlotte Forten Memorial Project Advisory Committee are seeking artists/artist teams to create a site-specific commemorative artwork in the form of a life-size, figurative bronze statue in the likeness of Charlotte Forten Grimké to serve as a memorial in honor of her life and legacy. Once completed, the work will be located in Charlotte Forten Park, 289 Derby Street, Salem, Massachusetts.
This modern memorial will be a permanent piece of public art intended to provide the community with a sense of belonging and connectedness to the space while also sharing information about Forten’s life and her connection to Salem.
The public art competition is open to all interested artists and artists teams at least 18 years old and residents of the United States. Artists and artists teams that identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC) and female are strongly encouraged to apply. Local artists or artists teams who live or work in Salem or the North Shore are strongly encouraged to apply.
Through the art commissioning process and ongoing community engagement, the City’s Department of Planning and Community Development is partnering with the Metropolitan Area Planning Council and the Salem Public Art Commission to continue developing an accessible and engaging public space on Derby Street that welcomes our diverse communities.
Project Advisory Group Members:
Nate Bryant
Michael Corley
Regina Zaragoza Frey
Yinette Guzman
Monieke McNeil
Shawn Newton
Claudia Paraschiv
Dean Rubin
Brenda Stevenson
Doreen Wade
Alphonse Wright
Project Partners:
City of Salem, Community Planning and Development Department Arts & Culture Programs
City of Salem, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Director
City of Salem, Department of Public Services
Salem Public Art Commission (SPAC)
Salem Redevelopment Authority (SRA)
Salem State University (SSU)
Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC)
This project is funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, the City of Salem, and the MAPC.