Indiana Black History Public Art Legacy Project
The Indiana General Assembly has mandated a Black History Display in the Indiana State House. The Indiana Department of Administration (IDOA) and the Indiana Historical Bureau, with the concurrence of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus, have determined that a public art legacy project should be created and installed in the Indiana State House, located in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Artists have been invited to submit an application to design and fabricate one or two traditional bronze busts for the Indiana State House via Indiana Arts Commission's online grant system. (View the RFP here.)
This page is intended to provide artists with additional information about the commissions.
The two subjects for bronze busts
James Sidney Hinton (1834-1892), the first African American elected to the Indiana General Assembly (1880)
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Extant image and biographical information on James S. Hinton
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Biography of Hinton, with notes on his appearance from A biographical history of eminent and self-made men of the state of Indiana, published in 1880
Julia Carson (1938 – 2007), whose career culminated in her service as U.S. Congresswoman
Additional specifications
The busts of Hinton and Carson will be displayed in niches on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the Indiana State House, respectively. The niches on each floor vary slightly in dimensions. View specifications for the 2nd Floor Niche and 3rd Floor Niche.
The busts will be placed within a distinctive backdrop designed for the sculptures, with a reading rail for additional information about the historical figures. The busts must fit within the remaining space. See details on the reading rail and backdrop.
Learn more about Public Art in the Indiana State House
