About the New Monuments Initiative
Monuments make a public statement about the ideas, values, or individuals a community thinks their society should remember or honor. 1001 Colors, along with partnering community organizations, will work to ensure that Cincinnati’s statement is one of equity, justice, and truth-telling. The New Monuments initiative will aim to reimagine and rebuild commemorative spaces that celebrate and affirm the historical contributions of the many diverse communities that make up the United States. New Monuments can take the form of prototypes, outdoor art exhibitions, and mixed media materials. They are more than memorials, historians’ markers, and public statuary, but also storytelling spaces, and civic spaces to gather and make meaning. Through this work, 1001 Colors hosted public dialogue and reflection and recenter voices, stories, and narratives to include those who have often been denied historical recognition to inform the creation of new monuments in Cincinnati.
The Mission
The New Monuments initiative aims to reimagine and rebuild commemorative spaces that celebrate and affirm the historical contributions of the many diverse communities that make up Cincinnati and the United States.
“Cincinnati deserves monuments that resonate with every community, that tell stories previously overlooked, and that reflect the true tapestry of our shared history.”- Asha White, Civic Artist in Residence.
The New Monuments Community Engagement Report
Thanks and Credits
The Civic Studio wants to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude for all of your generous support. Your contributions have made a significant impact on our mission and the people we serve, and we couldn’t be more thankful for your contribution. Your belief in our cause and your willingness to invest in our work is truly inspiring. This generosity has brought us one step closer to achieving our mission to reimagine and rebuild commemorative spaces that celebrate and affirm the historical contributions of the many diverse communities that make up Cincinnati and the United States.
New Monuments Advisory Committee Members
- Shauna Murphy, Assistant Superintendent at CPS, Office of Innovation and Strategic Partnerships and Director
- Marin Emanuel, Multimedia Creator, ArtWorks Youth Apprentice Alum
- Kathy Nardiello, Co-Founder and Committee member of ArtsWave Pride & Regional Manager in the Industrial Manufacturing vertical at Oracle Corporation
- Maria Seda-Reeder, Wavepool Director of Exhibitions and Artist Support Initiatives
- Caitlin Behle, Director of Community Leadership at Design Impact
- William P. Umphres, Ph.D, The incoming Director of the Center for Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation, Assistant Professor, Educator School of Public and International Affairs University of Cincinnati
- Jackie Congedo, Chief Community Engagement & External Relations Officer
- Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center
- Rod Walton, Director of Operations at Cohear, Interim CEO
- Dr. Gary P. Zola, Executive Director, The Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives & The Edward M. Ackerman Family Distinguished Professor of the American Jewish Experience and Reform Jewish History
- April Gallelli, Program Manager, Hamilton County Community Development
- Jennifer Spieser, Executive Director, Cincinnati Parks Foundation
- Michael Coppage, Conceptual Artist, & Lead artist, Black Art Speaks
- Alandes Powell, Visionary/Co-Owner, Black Art Speaks
- Rosie Polter, Cultural Resource Consultant