City of Miami Call for Artists for Historic Miami Founders Monument

Published on February 03, 2026

The City of Miami, through its Art in Public Places (AIPP) Division, is pleased to announce a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the Miami Founders Monument, a permanent public artwork honoring the individuals who formally incorporated the City of Miami on July 28, 1896.

This historic project commemorates a pivotal moment in the city’s formation, recognizing the collaboration between Black and white incorporators whose collective action led to Miami’s official incorporation. The project is informed by historical research conducted in collaboration with Profiles in Black Miami, a nonprofit organization dedicated to documenting Miami’s early civic history.

Central to the artwork’s development and interpretation is a significant historical detail: in 1896, incorporation required a minimum of 300 male voters. The official incorporation document recorded the names and racial identities of all men who voted, with approximately 44% of the votes attributed to Black citizens—underscoring the essential role Black Miamians played in the city’s founding.

AIPP invites professional artists and artist teams to submit qualifications for a permanent public artwork that thoughtfully interprets Miami’s founding story, engaging themes of civic formation, historical truth, and the documented identities of those who shaped the city’s establishment.
This opportunity is open to U.S.-based artists; regional and local artists and teams are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applications are openFebruary 4, through March 4, 2026. Full project details and submission instructions are available atwww.miami.gov/AIPP. Applications are submitted viaCODAworx.com