CT AIDS Memorial

The Shawn Lang Memorial Task Force is seeking artist qualifications to create the CT AIDS Memorial monument. The Task Force is named after Shawn Lang, a longtime Connecticut advocate who spent her life fighting injustices. This monument will serve as a reminder of Shawn Lang's brand of soul force, the force of love, and the force of resistance. The public art should serve as motivation for justice work ahead, encouraging souls to be stirred as we step into the arena and confront racial, social, and political inequities in Connecticut.

The CT AIDS Memorial will be an outdoor public art installation incorporated within the landscape. It will be an "evergreen" installation that may include seating features and other interactive elements. The memorial is meant to be an historic marker to those who have died of AIDS as well as those who continue to live with and work to eliminate HIV. The memorial will be engaging, intentional, empowering, hopeful, and an opportunity for meaningful conversation.

The do-not-exceed budget for this project is $175,000, which must include all design fees, materials, transportation, installation, storage, insurance, and any other project-related costs. Applicants must be experienced visual, sculpture, or public art artists or artist-led teams. Preference will be given to artists residing in Connecticut. Applicants must demonstrate ability and experience executing a public art project of this scale and budget, and must demonstrate understanding of Shawn Lang's style of public policy activism. The commissioning organization is seeking to reach out to emerging artists and artists of color, particularly those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.

Phase 1 requires submission of contact information, a one-page letter describing interest and design approach, up to 8 digital JPEG images of recent and relevant projects (including 3 previously installed and successfully completed installations), and a one-page list of previous applicable work samples with title, budget, location, and materials. Phase 2 will select 3 semi-finalists to participate in a Zoom or in-person interview and present design concepts. Each semi-finalist will receive a $200 stipend. Phase 3 will select the finalist based on engagement, location specificity, seasonal considerations, artistic excellence, accessibility, feasibility within timeline and budget, and other criteria. Installation is planned for Spring 2024.