New York Launches She Built NYC Commission For Public Art On Women's History

New York City has announced a new initiative called 'She Built NYC' to commission a public monument or artwork on city property that is based on women's history. The program was inaugurated by the Mayor's office and the Department of Cultural affairs. It launched on the recommendations from Mayoral Advisory Commission on City Art, Monuments, and Markers, which is a commission initiated to expand the stories, histories and narratives represented on public property in New York.

In a press release it was stated that these pieces have historically failed to reflect the diversity of people across the city throughout history. The departments has pledged a sum of $10 million for new monuments and works. People can nominate the women and historical events for consideration till August 1 on the website for women.nyc. The nominations will be reviewed and an advisory panel will consult with the Department of Cultural Affairs on the subject of the monument and the artist designated to created it. This will be announced in January. The initiative is the result of the protests from the New Yorkers over imbalance in representations within the public works. As reported in a 2017 report, there are 23 historical male statues in Central Park, most visited urban park in the country, but the sole female representations are fo a fictional character. This was one of the examples why the initiative was launched.

By: Neha Maheshwari

Content: http://www.artnews.com/2018/06/20/new-york-city-launches-built-nyc-commission-public-art-womens-history/