The Future of Monuments

Join moderator Kendal Henry, assistant commissioner of Public Art at the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, and a panel of public artists who are on the front lines of creating monuments. The participating artists- Sandy Williams, Melissa Mongiat and Norman Lee- are actively working to redefine, contextualize, and create monuments that reflect our evolving narratives and aspirations in today’s landscape.

The events of 2020 fundamentally shifted our collective understanding of history, identity, and public space. As communities across the globe reevaluate how we remember and represent our past, we have the opportunity to consider the critical and complex role of our monuments.

This event is coorganized by Reimagining Columbus, which is part of the Monuments Project, a commitment by the Mellon Foundation to transform the nation’s commemorative landscape by supporting public projects that more completely and accurately represent the multiplicity and complexity of American stories. By participating in the Monuments Project, Columbus joins an effort by cities and organizations nationwide to grapple with difficult history and uplift the stories of people who haven’t been represented in our symbolic landscape.

A Q&A follows the discussion.

Host or Publisher Reimagining Columbus