Call Description

OPPORTUNITY
The City of Ann Arbor invites qualified bronze artists or artist teams to submit qualifications to design, fabricate, and install a bronze figure of Kathy Kozachenko in front of Larcom City Hall at 301 E. Huron Street, Ann Arbor, Michigan.  Kathy Kozachenko made history on April 2, 1974 by successfully running for elective office as the first openly gay or lesbian candidate in the United States.  This public art commission is part of the City of Ann Arbor’s Bicentennial celebration in 2024 and reflects a City Council resolution to recognize Kathy Kozachenko’s contributions to public service, civil rights, and the LGBTQ+ community, coinciding with the City’s 200th anniversary and the 50th anniversary of her election as an Ann Arbor councilmember.
 

PROJECT BACKGROUND
Kathy Kozachenko was elected to the Ann Arbor City Council on April 2, 1974, representing the City’s Second Ward as a member of the Human Rights Party.  At the time of her election, Kozachenko was a 21-year-old student at the University of Michigan and ran as a member of the Human Rights Party (HRP). Her election marked the first time in the United States that an openly gay or lesbian candidate was elected to public office.  Kathy Kozachenko stood as a beacon of courage, ahead of her time, epitomizing the essence of diversity, equity, and inclusion.  Kozachenko was preceded on City Council by fellow Human Rights Party members Jerry DeGrieck and Nancy Wechsler, who were elected in 1972 and later became the first gay and lesbian elected officials to come out while serving in office. Kozachenko is also a woman of Ukrainian descent.

In her 1974 victory speech, Kozachenko acknowledged her history-making election by saying, “This is the first time in the history of the U.S. that someone has run openly as a gay person and been elected to public office. Gay liberation was not a major issue in the campaign - both candidates in this ward said they supported gay rights, but 10 years ago, or even three years ago, lesbianism would have meant automatic defeat. This year we talked about rent control. We talked about the city’s budget. We talked about police priorities, and we had a record of action to run on. Many people’s attitudes about gayness are still far from healthy, but my campaign forced some people at least to re-examine their prejudices and stereotypes.” She helped pave the way for hundreds of openly LGBTQ+ elected officials in the years to follow her, including the at least 1,185 LGBTQ+ elected officials currently serving in the United States, according to the Victory Institute.  It is befitting during the 200th birthday of Ann Arbor, Michigan, which coincides with the 50th anniversary of her own election, that Councilmember Kozachenko’s inspirational contributions to society and the LGBTQ civil rights movement be recognized and celebrated.
 

PROJECT + SITE DETAILS
Click here to download the Project Information Packet that includes images of Kathy Kozachenko and the selected site in front of Ann Arbor Larcom City Hall.

Site + Figure
The site is located in the garden bed in front of Larcom City Hall and the statue will be placed next to an existing sign recognizing Kathy Kozachenko and other LGBTQ+ elected officials.  The figure should be about life size and designed using images from the 1970s, including Kozachenko’s attire.   We have a photograph of Ms. Kozachenko in her preferred attire, and we have a contemporary surrogate modeling the same outfit in a photo.  The pose will be based off of a picture of Kozachenko taking oath into office with her right hand raised.  The figure should sit on a base that elevates the figure about a foot off the ground to be level with the existing garden bed’s low wall.  Please reference pictures in Project Information Packet.

Budget 
The budget for this commission is up to $75,000 which will be allocated to the final artist/team selected. This contract amount is inclusive of all costs associated with the project, including, but not limited to: the artist's design fee, artist's assistant costs, consultation fees, structural engineering and stamped drawings, permits, insurance, tools, materials, fabrication, foundation and base, transportation, installation, any building or site modification required, travel to and from the site, per diem expenses, project documentation, a contingency to cover unexpected expenses, and any other costs. 

Contract
The selected artist will be the contract signatory with the City of Ann Arbor.   The artist will be required to carry general liability insurance and submit COI listing the City of Ann Arbor and the Ann Arbor Art Center as additionally insured.  The artist shall also be responsible for assuring that subcontractors, if there are any, meet the same insurance requirements.  Any installer the artist uses, will be required to have insurance and submit a COI listing the City of Ann Arbor and the Ann Arbor Art Center as additionally insured. The amount and type may vary depending on the nature of the proposal. 

Materials + Maintenance
All applicants must consider the issues of long-term conservation and maintenance of public art. This project is in the public realm and will be exposed to physical stresses and potential vandalism. Any artwork outdoors must be fabricated from durable, low-maintenance materials appropriate for public display.

The City of Ann Arbor will review the final artist's proposal and contract to ensure conformity with city standards of maintenance and durability and American Disability Act (ADA) standards. 

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS 
Please submit the following application requirements. Submissions must be submitted online at CaFE Call for Entry by March 8th, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST. There is no application fee to apply or use the online application system.
 

1.      Letter of Interest: outline your interest in this project and how you will approach the artwork design and creation. (2000 character max)

2.      Resume: Outline your professional experience and accomplishments, maximum of two (2) pages.  If submitting as a team, please include resumes for each team member, with each resume not exceeding two (2) pages.

3.      Artwork Images: selection of ten (10) images representing artworks most relevant to the scope of this opportunity.  

4.    Artist Bio, (2000 character max)

5.    References: three (3) professional references, including name, affiliated organization (if appropriate), position or title, email address, phone number, and relationship to each reference.

SELECTION PROCESS
A panel of representatives from the City of Ann Arbor and other designees will review applications.  Applicants will be evaluated based on the following criteria:  

• Letter of Interest and alignment with project goals
• Quality, creativity, and strength of past work examples
• Demonstrated experience, interest, and qualifications to complete a permanent, durable, bronze public artwork within budget, timeline, and technical constraints.
• Artist Resume and References

The selection committee will select 3-5 semi-finalists.  Semi-finalists will be asked to draft a preliminary budget and timeline outlining their process.  Artists will not be asked to create any maquettes, models, or drawings during the semi-finalist phase.  The semi-finalist selection will follow in-person or virtual interviews.  A city contract will be issued to the artist with a final design phase requiring review and approval by the City of Ann Arbor before fabrication.  

Timeline
All dates except the submission deadline are approximate, subject to change, and are presented for guidance only. 

• Call Submission Deadline: March 8th, 2026 at 11:59pm EST
• Semi-finalists Selected: April 2026
• Semi-finalists Interviews: May 2026
• Finalist Awarded: June 2026
• Project Completion and Installation: by Spring/Summer 2027

SCOPE OF WORK
Final Artist(s) Responsibilities
The finalist will contract with the city of Ann Arbor and the scope will include but not be limited to the following: 

• Conduct research to better understand the site, the project, and any other elements deemed helpful to their creative process
• Develop and Present Project concepts, renderings, or models
• Work in collaboration with the City of Ann Arbor to finalize the design for approval
• Attain stamped structural engineer drawings by an MI licensed engineer to ensure the safety and stability of the proposed installation
• Source materials, fabricate, and install the artwork and base foundation.  Artists may subcontract with fabricators, installers, or technicians as necessary.  The artist(s) will be required to manage the fabrication process and be on site for installation.  Subcontractors will be required to provide insurance.
• Obtain necessary permits for installation
• Fulfill the responsibilities within the contracted budget and timeline
• Participate in an unveiling event, if any

FOR QUESTIONS:
This Call-for-Art is managed in collaboration with the City of Ann Arbor by the Ann Arbor Art Center’s Art in Public Program.  Please direct your questions to The Ann Arbor Art Center artinpublic@annarborartcenter.org | 734-926-4122
 

ABOUT ANN ARBOR ART CENTER
Since 1909, the Ann Arbor Art Center has sparked creativity in people of all ages and artistic abilities. Our mission:

"to be the catalyst for creativity, expression, and appreciation for the arts in our community. Through accessible programming, diverse artistic experiences, and collaborative partnerships, the A2AC educates and empowers individuals of all backgrounds, while contributing to a vibrant cultural landscape that celebrates the transformative power of art."

Through innovative programming, provocative exhibitions, wide-ranging learning courses, and a shop offering handmade artworks, the A2AC engages over 60,000 people annually in exploring the arts. 

Application Requirements

Please submit the following application requirements. Submissions must be submitted online at CaFE Call for Entry by March 8th, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST. There is no application fee to apply or use the online application system.
 

1.      Letter of Interest: outline your interest in this project and how you will approach the artwork design and creation. (2000 character max)

2.      Resume: Outline your professional experience and accomplishments, maximum of two (2) pages.  If submitting as a team, please include resumes for each team member, with each resume not exceeding two (2) pages.

3.      Artwork Images: selection of ten (10) images representing artworks most relevant to the scope of this opportunity.  

4.    Artist Bio, (2000 character max)

5.    References: three (3) professional references, including name, affiliated organization (if appropriate), position or title, email address, phone number, and relationship to each reference.

Eligibility Criteria

The city of Ann Arbor is seeking artists or artist teams who can commit to working in Ann Arbor as necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of this project. Artists must be 18+ years of age.