Call Description

MoMCC, in collaboration with the Greater Columbus Arts Council, the City of Columbus, and the Columbus Department of Recreation and Parks, invites artists, artist teams, and design professionals to create a permanent public memorial honoring the lives of children lost to violent crime.

About Mothers of Murdered Columbus Children (MoMCC)

Mothers of Murdered Columbus Children (MoMCC) is a community-driven organization led by mothers who have lost children to violent crime. Dedicated to advocacy, education, and support, MoMCC mobilizes citizens, public officials, grassroots organizations, unions, schools, businesses, and law enforcement to combat violence and promote peace in Columbus, Ohio.

The organization provides emotional and practical support to families, ensuring that the memory of their loved ones is honored while working toward systemic change. MoMCC believes in visibility as a form of advocacy, engaging in community demonstrations, public awareness campaigns, and events that bring families together in solidarity.

Visit the MoMCC Website

Project Overview

Since 2021, MoMCC and grieving families have placed locks on the Rich St. Bridge as a symbolic act of remembrance. The “Locks of Love,” as the memorial locks placed on the Rich St. Bridge were called, were gold colored, heart shaped and keyless locks, symbolizing a mother’s permanent love for the lost family members. The locks were engraved by the family members at the ceremony, with tools provided by MoMCC. The ceremonies to place the locks were eventually limited to 25 victims of violence per cohort, and could draw up to 250-300 participants, including family members, supporters, representatives from the Columbus Police Department, and city officials.

The Rich St. bridge would be closed for the duration of the 3.5 hour event, which could include a DJ and entertainment, from set up to tear down. The ceremonies served as a site to express grief, to affirm life, and to commit to working to transform the culture of violence present in Columbus. Families were invited to bring photos for the lost family members, as well as any meaningful mementos, to the ceremony to help reinforce the humanity of those lost. The ceremonies could take place in the winter, spring, summer and fall, with an effort to provide the ritual for grieving families in need of the support and the act of memorializing their loved ones in their time of need. 

The iconic view of downtown Columbus from the Rich St. bridge has played an important role in the ceremonies. Columbus, despite the beautiful view seen on the bridge, is also the site of terrible violence. At the end of the ceremony, people turn to look at the view of the city, and commit to fighting that violence with love.

Beyond the Locks of Love ceremonies, the Rich St. Bridge memorial also became a place for families and individuals to come and remember their loved ones. The Locks of Love provided a place to gather to remember lost loved ones on special days like birthdays, without needing to visit a graveyard, a site associated with much pain and loss.

Due to concerns regarding the addition of locks in the city, these locks were removed, prompting the city to partner with MoMCC to develop a more permanent, intentional space for mourning, reflection, and advocacy.

This project offers artists the opportunity to contribute to a lasting memorial that provides healing and recognition for families while also standing as a call for community-wide action against violence.

Project Description 

The selected artist or team will design, construct, and install a permanent outdoor public artwork on the Columbus Riverfront, in a designated green space on the west side of the Rich St. Bridge. The memorial should offer a contemplative experience for visitors and it should integrate with the surrounding landscape while serving as a striking visual representation of loss, resilience, and hope.

Goals & Intentions

• Create a meaningful space for remembrance, reflection, and advocacy.
• Honor the memories of children lost to violence
• Serve as the site for the memorial ceremonies previously on the Rich St. bridge
• Support the emotional healing of families and the community.
• Encourage thoughtful engagement and interaction.

Design Considerations

Artists are encouraged to interpret the memorial’s themes in a way that aligns with their creative vision. The design may draw inspiration from the MoMCC logo, which symbolizes motherhood, protection, and remembrance, while also embracing new artistic expressions that deepen the impact and meaning of those symbols. 

According to MoMCC:

 “As mothers in the community who have lost their loved ones to violence in the city, we consider ourselves the sistah soldiers of the streets. Together, with our supporters, we are the army that will fight the battle needed to slow the spread of this epidemic.  We are at war. The woman in the logo represents the matriarch, the mother, the sistah soldier. She is wearing her camouflage, gearing up to go to war. She has her weapons--her Bible and white flag--in her leg holsters.  She adorns her child’s golden wings as the ultimate protection in her mission. The orange awareness ribbon represents ending gun violence.“

Key considerations include:

Space for families to leave symbolic offerings, such as locks or other tributes imagined by the artist. The ritual of adding the locks to the bridge has been of critical importance to MoMCC, and there is a strong desire for the continuation of the ritual at the new memorial.

• A creative way to incorporate the original collection of locks removed in 2024.
• Thoughtful approaches to lighting and signage that enhance the site’s role as a place of reflection.
• A design that is durable, safe, and low-maintenance for an outdoor public setting.
• The artwork must comply with city regulations and receive approval from relevant city offices.

Site Description

The memorial will be located in downtown Columbus, Ohio, along the Scioto Riverfront, in a highly visible and active public space. The site is a small parklet located at the base of the Rich Street Bridge on the west side of the river, serving as part of the larger Scioto Mile park system - a signature green space in the heart of the city that connects neighborhoods, civic institutions, and cultural landmarks.

Site Context

The site sits within a vibrant urban environment that plays a vital role in community life. It is directly adjacent to COSI (Center of Science and Industry), one of the most visited science museums in the country, and the National Veterans Memorial and Museum, a major civic landmark. The space enjoys direct visibility from across the river to the Ohio Supreme Court, Columbus City Hall, and surrounding government buildings, anchoring the memorial within the civic heart of the city. The riverfront is framed by the historic and dynamic neighborhoods of Franklinton, the Arena District, the Brewery District, and Downtown Columbus, each contributing to the unique energy of the area.

Surrounding Environment

The memorial will be placed within a landscaped parklet that offers walking paths, river views, and open space, while serving as a connective point between the pedestrian-friendly Rich Street Bridge and the wider Scioto Mile. The area is well-trafficked by residents and visitors alike, hosting a variety of festivals, community gatherings, public performances, and recreational activities throughout the year.

Current Use of the Site

The designated site is currently an open green space designed for passive use within the larger riverfront park system. It serves as a place for walking, resting, and informal gathering, offering scenic views of the river and the Columbus skyline.

Who Will Encounter the Artwork

Given its central location, the memorial will be encountered by a wide range of audiences, including:

• Local residents and families who regularly use the park and bridge for walking, biking, and recreation.
• Visitors to nearby cultural institutions such as COSI and the Veterans Memorial.
• Attendees of frequent festivals, concerts, and public events held along the Scioto Mile.
• Commuters and pedestrians crossing the Rich Street Bridge and traveling through downtown.
• City officials
• Tourists and travelers exploring downtown Columbus and the riverfront district.

This memorial will not only serve as a deeply meaningful place of remembrance for families and members of Mothers of Murdered Columbus Children (MoMCC) but will also stand as a visible symbol of community resilience, healing, and advocacy for all who pass through this prominent civic space.

Google Map Link -  Additional site information and photographs are available in the Site Details link.

Evaluation Criteria

Submitted qualifications will be evaluated based on the following:

• Artistic merit, as demonstrated in past work.
• Experience with outdoor public art projects, including any relevant examples of memorial project work.
• Qualifications and ability to manage the design, fabrication, and installation processes.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with project stakeholders.
• Understanding the project’s goals and ability to create work that enhances the park’s environment.
• Capacity to complete the project within the specified timeline (Spring/Summer 2026) and budget.

Project Budget

A budget of no less than $200k is allocated for this project. This amount covers all associated costs, including but not limited to:

• Artist fees
• Materials and fabrication
• Construction and installation
• Transportation and site preparation
• Permitting and insurance (if applicable)
• Travel and accommodations (if needed)

The selected artist will work closely with MoMCC, the community, and city stakeholders to ensure the artwork aligns with community expectations and meets all local standards for public art installations. Artists should develop proposals that maximize impact within this budget while considering durability, safety, and long-term maintenance.

Selection Process

This is a two-stage selection process:

Stage One: RFQ Submission

The Public Art Committee will review qualifications and select a shortlist of finalists based on the evaluation criteria.

Stage Two: Proposal Submission (by invitation only)

Finalists will be invited to submit a detailed proposal, including conceptual designs, budget breakdowns, and a project timeline. A minimum stipend of $1,000 will be provided to finalists to develop and present their proposals.

Project Timeline

Application Requirements

Artists or teams interested in being considered should submit the following by December 9, 2025

• Letter of Interest (maximum 2 pages) – Describe your interest in the project, approach to public art, and relevant experience.
• Current Resume/CV – For each team member, provide a resume highlighting experience with public art projects.
• Portfolio – Up to 20 images of previous relevant completed and conceptual work. Include title, dimensions, materials, location, and a brief description of each project.
• References – Applicants who are selected to be finalists will be required to provide three professional references.

Late submissions will not be considered.

Submission Method:

Submissions should be sent electronically via CaFE

Eligibility Criteria

This RFQ is open to artists or artist teams, including designers or other creative professionals, with demonstrated experience in public art projects. Applicants must have experience with large-scale, site-specific outdoor installations.

• The RFQ is open to local, national, and international artists, provided they meet the following criteria:
• Proven ability to complete projects of similar scale and complexity on time and within budget.
• Experience working with municipal agencies, architects, and landscape designers.
• Knowledge of durable, weather-resistant materials suitable for an outdoor environment.

Columbus and other central Ohio artists are strongly encouraged to participate.