A non-profit charitable fund, Lexington’s Freedom Train, has been created under the umbrella of the LexArts organization in Lexington. LexArts began in 1972 and enables safe, secure, 501c3 donations throughout the region for art projects such as this.

The project goal for this monument is estimated to be $450,000 and will be determined once the final project is chosen.

The Committee has secured a private commitment of $100,000 as a match for Lexington’s Freedom Train, a monument to Lewis and Harriet Hayden, Lexington’s Underground Railroad, and Lexington’s enslaved sons and daughters and their search for freedom.  Please give today so that we can realize this commitment.

Download Artist Concept Here

Project Description

LexArts, in partnership with the Lexington Freedom Train Memorial Committee, seeks an artist or artist team to create an artwork that honors Lewis and Harriet Hayden, two of Lexington's enslaved who became famed abolitionists, to remember the stories of other enslaved persons in Lexington and to commemorate their paths to freedom via Lexington's Underground Railroad.

This artwork will be a visual landmark in Lexington on a parcel of land located at the southeast corner of the intersection at Limestone and 4th Street. The goal is to commission proposals by three experienced public artists for the site, with the expectation of realizing one of the proposals by May 2025.  There is no application fee to enter.

This project will be a significant element of Lexington’s 250th anniversary in 2025, and the Nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026.

Project Details

• Fiscal sponsorship:  Lexington's Freedom Train has been established as a nonprofit charitable fund created under the umbrella of LexArts, Lexington’s official Local Arts Agency.

• Location: This is a community initiated permanent public art installation to be placed on public land. Strategically, the site is also a current trail stop on the Legacy Trail, a shared-use greenway trail that connects downtown Lexington with area neighborhoods, parks, and historic sites. The 12-mile trail begins at the Isaac Murphy Memorial Garden and winds north to the Kentucky Horse Park. The site is also adjacent to the Lexington Traditional Magnet School, a Middle School within Fayette County Public Schools.

• Scale: Physical scale to be determined by artist and should be site-specific and scaled with sensitivity to the historic landscape.

• Media: any media. The artwork will be outdoors and should have a physical presence on the site. There is additional interest in new media or augmented reality as an educational supplement to the project.

Project Budget

The project budget is up to $400,000. The budget is negotiable but must include travel, research, design, execution, insurance, taxes, site preparation, and materials. Lexington’s Freedom Train Memorial will confirm the feasibility of completing the project within the estimated project budget during preliminary design.

Timeline

• Post RFQ to http://www.callforentry.org : August 1, 2023 

• RFQ Deadline: September 29, 2023 

• Selection of finalists and notification: October 16, 2023 

• Site visit for artists (optional but encouraged; hotel will be provided for two nights): October-December 2023 

• In person presentation of Proposal: March 13, 2024, 6pm, Lyric Theater, All are welcome.

• Final notification: February 2024 

• Fabrication and installation complete: May 2025

Eligibility

We are committed to a policy of providing opportunities to people regardless of economic or social status and will not discriminate based on race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, veteran status, or physical disability.

Selection Process

The submitted qualifications will be reviewed by a selection committee comprised of artists, arts professionals, and community leaders. The committee will identify three or more finalists. The finalists will have the opportunity to visit the site to meet with Lexington’s Freedom Train Memorial committee, LexArts staff, and community representatives.  Finalists are encouraged to travel to Lexington to visit the site during the design development phase.  Finalists will be provided travel and accommodations to present the completed proposal in person.  Finalists will be paid $2,500 upon delivery and in-person presentation of a complete site-specific proposal of design, concept statement, and process.  A 3D maquette is optional but encouraged.  A review of the final design will be conducted by the selection committee. One artist or artist team will be selected in February 2024 to realize their proposal by May 2025.

Critical Selection Factors

• Resonance with the project description

• Artistic distinction

• Public safety

• Low maintenance/durability

• Contextual integration into the site and its intrinsic character

The strength of the submitted images of past artworks demonstrating the ability of the artist(s) to complete similar or related projects will be considered critical selection factors. In addition, the selection committee is interested in a wide variety of creative solutions to the challenges of outdoor public artwork. 

Phase 1: Request for Qualifications

COMPLETE

Phase 2: Commissioned Proposals from Finalists

COMPLETE

Successful proposals will be expected to provide:

• A written document expressing the conceptual framework and artistic point of view that will guide development of the project

• One or more drawings/3D renderings of the proposed work of art; models are optional. Drawings and/or models should illustrate the conceptual relationships between the artwork and its environment

• A timeline and budget (not to exceed $400,000) for production and installation

• A detailed list of materials and construction requirements, with attention to issues of durability, maintenance, and public safe