Call Description

Overview & Guidelines: 

The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America (NSCDA) is a women’s organization focused on historic preservation, patriotic service and education. We engage with the past and inspire future generations to understand and revere the foundation of our nation’s history. By examining the variety of the people, places and events that shape our country, we encourage widespread interest in those who serve and sacrifice to sustain our nation. 

Women have served in the military for 250 years, from the battlefields of the American Revolution to the deserts of Kuwait, yet their service is often unacknowledged. NSCDA-OH, as part of America250, is gifting the City of Cincinnati a memorial honoring women veterans whose service and sacrifice gave birth to and continue to sustain our nation. America250 is a multi-year effort to commemorate the semiquincentennial, or 250th anniversary, of the United States. Read more about the NSCDA-OH at www.nsdcaoh.org. 

Reimagining the Women Veterans Memorial in Eden Park

In October 1985, a foot marker plaque was placed by the Colonial Dames in Eden Park to honor women veterans. The plaque reads:

In recognition of the women of the armed forces who have volunteered their services that freedom might live.

It is weathered, hard to see, and isolated from the nearby and much larger Vietnam Veterans Memorial, which depicts male soldiers. The condition of the plaque and the size discrepancy undermine the honoring of women veterans.

In this same community space for contemplation, the NSCDA-OH envisions a memorial that recognizes women veterans throughout America’s 250-year history and reflects a comparable standard to the adjacent Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Project unveiling anticipated for November 11, 2026, at the annual Veterans Day Observance event. 

Suggested wording for a revised plaque to accompany the new memorial could be:

Women have exhibited unwavering dedication in service to our nation in times of peace and war. Their service defends our freedom, advances equality, and inspires future generations.

 A successful outcome will be:

• Representative of the many roles held by women in military service, welcoming, inclusive, intriguing, engaging to individuals and groups, and attractive to multi-generational audiences.
• Permanent, durable, and easy to maintain.

 A successful outcome will NOT:

• Impede surrounding sidewalks, leaving all rights-of-way clear and accessible for pedestrians.
• Invite climbing or encourage interaction with the piece through physical touch.
• Require electricity.

 KEYWORDS & PHRASES:

• Women-Centric
• Past & Future
• Engaging & Intriguing
• Inclusive
• Patriotic
• Commendable

Site Plans/Site Information:

Location Address: Eden Park - 986 St. Paul Drive, Cincinnati, Ohio 45206

The opportunity footprint is approximately 7’ round. A foundation slab of concrete, granite, or bronze base would be permissible. Artists will be asked to consider an intimate viewpoint from ground level, not to exceed 7’ tall. 

The available footprint is adjacent to an existing monument honoring Vietnam veterans.

Site Information Note: Artists invited to advance to the Request for Proposals stage will be encouraged to conduct a site visit prior to drafting design concepts. 

Budget/Funding: 

• A design fee of $1,000 to be paid to each selected semi-finalist artist for the submission of a project proposal following a signed design contract, W9 and invoice.
• Stipend for the finalist artist to be negotiated as part of the final design development.
• Fabrication* of memorial not to exceed $100,000.

Budget/Funding Note: The final budget for the approved memorial design will be informed, in part, by the Finalist’s project proposal. Interested applicants should consider $100,000 as an approximate fabrication budget with the understanding that other expenses related to shipping, installation, etc. will be considered during the RFP phase. 

Call-to-Artist Timeline:

• 2025
• Phase 1 (RFQ) launch: November 28, 2025
• 2026
• Phase 1 (RFQ) closed: January 25, 2026
• Partners select semi-finalist artist(s) to advance for Phase 2 (RFP): Early February 2026
• Proposals due from semi-finalists: March 15, 2026
• Finalist Artist selected: March 31, 2026

Timeline Note: Upon being selected as a semi-finalist, Artist(s) will receive a detailed timeline outlining deliverable deadlines for design, fabrication, and installation.

Application Requirements

Résumé/CV 

1. Contact information* 

4. Link to Website or Digital Portfolio

5. Previous Relevant Art Commissions 

6. Relevant Exhibitions, Awards, Grants, etc.

5. Background/Education 

*  -  indicates required materials

Artwork Images*

• Submit a minimum of three (3) and up to eight (8) relevant images of completed artworks and/or commissions from the last ten years.
• Accompanying the images with a single reference sheet detailing high-level information about each chosen piece such as but not limited to: Title, Date, Location, Media/Material, etc.

Letter of Interest - Please include the following information in a brief 1-page letter of interest: 

• Contact Information (name, address, phone number, and website/portfolio)
• Description of your interest in and/or your connection to the project content

Eligibility Criteria

Qualifications:

• Artists of all backgrounds are encouraged to participate in the RFQ process
• Must have proven experience with public memorial and 3-dimensional design development
• Experience collaborating with large design committees is a plus

Selection Criteria:

• Quality of work samples
• Artist aesthetic
• Ability to meet project deadlines and milestones

Semi-finalist artist(s), and ultimately the contracted finalist, will be determined by a juried panel, which will include representatives from the NSCDA-OH, community leaders, and representatives from Cincinnati Parks + and the Cincinnati Parks Foundation.