Call for Art- Wilma P. Mankiller Capitol Park Statue

Cherokee Nation is soliciting proposals for a permanent outdoor art installation to honor Chief Wilma P. Mankiller, the first female Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, to be located in Capitol Park, Oklahoma. This initiative is conducted under the Cherokee Artist Recovery Act and is exclusively open to enrolled citizens of the Cherokee Nation, with no exceptions to citizenship eligibility. Applicants must submit a comprehensive proposal including a conceptual rendering detailing materials and dimensions, a culturally authentic narrative reflecting Mankiller’s leadership and legacy, a detailed project schedule, an itemized cost breakdown covering labor, materials, artist fees, footing, base, and crane or lift costs if the artwork exceeds 250 pounds, evidence of Cherokee Nation citizenship via a Blue Card or Citizenship Card, examples of prior work, and a structured mentorship plan that actively engages emerging Cherokee artists through hands-on training, workshops, or shadowing with measurable outcomes. All proposals must be submitted electronically by July 2, 2026, to the designated email, with a maximum of two submissions per artist. The selected artwork must comply with structural and environmental safety standards for permanent outdoor display and undergo mandatory cultural review by Cherokee Nation representatives, including verification of any Cherokee syllabary usage. The winning artist, or lead artist in a team, will be solely responsible for delivery, installation, and ensuring third-party vendors are approved by the Tribal Employment Rights Office. The installation must include a permanent label displaying the Cherokee Artist Recovery Act insignia and the text “Property of Cherokee Nation – Acquisition made possible by the Cherokee Artist Recovery Act.” Evaluation will prioritize artistic merit, cultural authenticity, mentorship impact, cost reasonableness, and feasibility of the proposed schedule, reflecting a best-value trade-off approach rather than lowest-price selection. No federal contract clauses or standard identifiers such as UEI, CAGE, or SBA size categories apply—this is a tribal set-aside procurement with requirements uniquely aligned with Cherokee Nation governance, values, and economic priorities.