SUPPORTED BY KNIGHT FOUNDATION, THE BASS SEEKS PROPOSALS FROM MIAMI-DADE ARTISTS TO COMMISSION A MONUMENT IN COLLINS PARK

Titled “New Monuments,” The Bass invites local artists to submit proposals for a temporary monument by September 1, 2020

The Bass, Miami Beach’s contemporary art museum, announces the launch of New Monuments, a project supported by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation through the museum’s Knight Art Commissions Program established in 2019. Open to artists living or working in Miami-Dade County, New Monuments invites project submissions that visualize a new, temporary monument atop a plinth in Collins Park. The Bass’ curatorial team will select one artist each year for five years to create a work that will be on view for 10-12 months at a time. The first temporary monument will be installed around March 2021.

The Bass is situated in Collins Park, a public park in Miami Beach, where there are presently four monuments that were commissioned by different groups at various times. Sitting atop stone plinths in the south side of the park, these existing monuments pay homage to Cuban epidemiologist Dr. Carlos Finlay, Venezuelan political leader Simón Bolívar, Nicaraguan scientist Dr. Luis Henry Debayle and Cuban writer Jose Martí. Amid an international debate on monuments and their legitimacy, New Monuments seeks to provide artists the opportunity to produce a new, fifth monument.

“The Bass conceived of New Monuments as a way to elevate the artistic voices in Miami,” said Silvia Karman Cubiñá, Executive Director and Chief Curator of The Bass. “This project creates an opportunity for artists in our community to engage in the national conversation and consider what person, group of people, place, or idea they feel should be honored atop a plinth in an urban park in Miami Beach today.

Black, indigenous and/or people of color (BIPOC) artists are strongly encouraged to apply. The Bass will pay for all costs relating to the project including production, engineering, installation and maintenance. The selected artist will also receive a $5,000 honorarium.

“Throughout time, artists have expressed what was, what is and what could be.  Through the artist’s lens we are able to see the ‘other’ in ourselves and to question and challenge our long-held beliefs. It’s always been at the center of community, connecting people to each other and to place,” said Victoria Rogers, Knight’s vice president of the Arts program. “The New Monuments open call is responding to issues that matter in our community and across the country, contributing to the conversation on racial justice.”

To apply, artists will propose an idea for a monument that fits conceptually with New Monuments, considering reasonable materials that will retain integrity outdoors for one year and a work that can anchor to a 24-by-24-inch base plinth outdoors. Applicants must submit a drawing or computer rendering to illustrate the proposed monument, a 500-word statement about the proposal, a CV/resume, and at least three visual examples of past work. The deadline to apply is Tuesday, September 1 at 5 p.m. EDT. Applicants will receive a notification by October 1.

APPLY NOW

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
New Monuments is part of the Knight Art Commissions Program, established with a grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. The Bass is generously funded by the City of Miami Beach, Cultural Affairs Program and Cultural Arts Council, the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners, and The Bass membership.

ABOUT THE BASS
The Bass is Miami Beach’s contemporary art museum. Founded in 1964 by the City of Miami Beach, the museum was established after the donation of a private collection by residents John and Johanna Bass and opened in what was formerly the Miami Beach Public Library and Art Center, a 1930s Art Deco building designed by Russell Pancoast. Recognized for organizing the first solo museum exhibitions in the United States of international artists such as Erwin Wurm, The Bass has also presented major exhibitions by influential artists including El Anatsui, Isaac Julien, Eve Sussman and Piotr Uklański. The exhibition program encompasses a wide range of media and artistic points of view, bringing fresh perspectives to the diverse cultural context of Miami Beach. The Bass is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. For more information, please visit thebass.org, or follow The Bass on social media at facebook.com/TheBassMoA or Twitter and Instagram via @TheBassMoA.

ABOUT THE JOHN S. AND JAMES L. KNIGHT FOUNDATION
Knight Foundation is a national foundation with strong local roots. We invest in journalism, in the arts, and in the success of cities where brothers John S. and James L. Knight once published newspapers. Our goal is to foster informed and engaged communities, which we believe are essential for a healthy democracy. For more, visit kf.org.