The Arts Council of Long Beach is looking for experienced local artists to create artwork for its COVID-19 Memorial, intended to honor lives lost and impacted during the pandemic.
The City recently created a COVID-19 Memorial Advisory Committee consisting of art professionals, local healthcare personnel, community-based organization representatives and City staff, who are entrusted with developing goals, selecting a location and recommending artwork.
Stipulations for the selected artwork are that it must be culturally sensitive, site-specific and integrated at Rainbow Harbor Lighthouse or Civic Center Plaza.
Artists may submit their proposals now through Tuesday, Dec. 6, at the City’s Request for Qualification Vendor portal, Long Beach Buys. Interested artists or artist groups are encouraged to submit a Statement of Qualifications that includes their experience, a conceptual idea, the design and preliminary costs of the work.
From there, a selection panel made up of COVID-19 Memorial Advisory Committee members and City staff will select three finalists who will be provided with a payment of $2,500 for their work. The panel will recommend the top-ranked artist and artwork.
The selection panel will present their recommendations in front of the Long Beach City Council on Tuesday, Dec. 13 for approval to enter into an artist agreement. After an agreement is finalized, a timeline for the completion of the memorial will be created and shared.
The plan for a COVID-19 memorial and community advisory committee was first brought to the city council by Mayor Robert Garcia in May 2021 and was approved unanimously.
“Our COVID-19 memorial will forever serve as a symbol of strength and healing for our community,” said Garcia in a statement from the City. “As someone who lost loved ones due to COVID, I am grateful there will always be a place in Long Beach to remember and honor them. I thank the COVID-19 Memorial Advisory Committee for their support in bringing this heartfelt project to fruition.”
For more details about the COVID-19 Memorial and how to submit a proposal, visit LongBeachBuys.com.
