Ann Arbor seeks artist to create bronze statue honoring LGBTQ+ trailblazer Kathy Kozachenko
The City of Ann Arbor is inviting experienced bronze artists and artist teams to apply to design, fabricate and install a life-sized bronze figure honoring Kathy Kozachenko, the first openly LGBTQ+ person elected to public office in the United States. The sculpture will be installed in front of Larcom City Hall, 301 E. Huron St.
The artist call is being managed by the Ann Arbor Art Center in collaboration with the City of Ann Arbor. The selected artist or team will create a permanent work recognizing Kozachenko’s historic election to the Ann Arbor City Council in 1974 and her lasting impact on civil rights and public service. The total budget for the project is $75,000.
Project timeline:
- Call submission deadline: March 8 at 11:59 p.m.
- Semi-finalists selected: April
- Semi-finalists interviews: May
- Finalist awarded: June
- Project completion and installation: Spring/Summer 2027
“Kathy Kozachenko’s courage and leadership helped shape Ann Arbor’s long-standing commitment to equality and inclusion,” said Mayor Christopher Taylor. “This statue will serve as a visible reminder of our community’s values and the importance of representation in public life.”
The project was authorized by the Ann Arbor City Council and builds on Ann Arbor’s ongoing efforts to elevate public art that reflects the city’s history and diverse voices. It is being funded through donations, which are being accepted and managed by the Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor.
“Public art has the power to tell our community’s story in a way that is accessible and enduring,” said Mayor Pro Tem Travis Radina. “Honoring Kathy Kozachenko at City Hall honors her legacy, celebrates our city’s LGBTQ+ history, and has the power to inspire the next generation of young LGBTQ+ leaders to make their own mark in our history books.”
Artists may learn more about the project and access the application through the Ann Arbor Art Center website. Applications must be submitted via the CaFÉ (call for entry) portal.
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Media Contact:
Joanna Satterlee, Communications Manager, jsatterlee@a2gov.org