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Cuyahoga County Releases RFP for COVID-19 Memorial
Media contact(s):
Mary Louise Madigan: (216) 698-2521; mlmadigan@cuyahogacounty.us
Local and National Artists Are Encouraged to Submit Proposals for COVID-19 Pandemic Memorial
Mary Louise Madigan: (216) 698-2521; mlmadigan@cuyahogacounty.us
Local and National Artists Are Encouraged to Submit Proposals for COVID-19 Pandemic Memorial
CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OH – Cuyahoga County released yesterday a request for proposals (RFP) seeking creative ideas for the creation of a COVID-19 pandemic memorial.
The COVID-19 Memorial Task Force was convened by County Executive Armond Budish to consider ways to memorialize the lives lost from COVID-19, and the resilience of the residents of Northeast Ohio. This provides both an opportunity for renewal for those living through the ongoing pandemic, and an opportunity for remembrance for future generations. This memorialization aims to honor those heroes who helped guide us through the most difficult days of the pandemic.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has taken the lives of more than 3,700 Cuyahoga County residents, and more than 269,000 residents have been infected. In addition to the physical toll, the emotional and economic toll has been terrible, with schools closed, businesses shut down, and jobs lost,” said County Executive Armond Budish. “Essential workers—many of them people of color—carried the burden of maintaining essential and medical services. This has had a devastating and lasting impact on our community. This memorial is an opportunity to remember where we have been, who helped in difficult times, and where we can go in the future. I look forward to seeing the creative and unique ideas that come from our arts community.”
Memorial proposals are encouraged to be community-driven and include an interactive component that allows residents to memorialize this event together. Proposals could include non-physical ceremonies or events, or physical places or monuments that honor the sacrifices that have been made.
The COVID-19 Memorial Task Force developed a series of principles to guide artists in considering memorial designs or events. These principles include:
- Remembrance: Provide an opportunity for mourning to honor those souls lost, their loved ones, and the sacrifices made by all individuals for the benefit of the entire community.
- Inclusivity: Ensure that the memorial represents the collective struggle of our diverse community and acknowledges the ever-present need to work together to solve our community’s biggest challenges.
- Restorative: Create an engaging event or space which inspires us to calm our minds, rest our bodies and harness our individual spirits so we can move forward together with a sense of purpose and renewal.
- Generous and loving: Celebrate our willingness to help family, friends, and strangers in a caring and compassionate manner.
- Resilient: Embrace our individual and collective availability to change our way of life so that we emerge stronger and better together.
Copies of the proposal specifications are available from the County Department of Purchasing. Please call (216) 443-7200 to request a copy of the RFP and to be placed on the official plan holders’ list. Responses to the RFP are due by June 16, 2022.
