“The Way of Wisdom: St. Vincent de Paul conversing with Students” at St. Vincent's Circle on DePaul's Lincoln Park Campus. (DePaul University/Josh Woo)The news: The Art School at DePaul is launching a new virtual
monument & memorial design competition, open to both undergraduate and graduate students. Winners will receive $1,000 toward spring 2026 tuition. The deadline to
submit a proposal online is 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3.
“This Monument and Memorial Design competition will provide a platform for our students to rethink our campus spaces. I think it’s a community-building opportunity,” says Art School Professor Matthew Girson.
The details: Students are asked to reimagine DePaul’s campus with a monument or memorial that — if chosen — would live online. Submissions will not be judged on their artistic ability or technical proficiency. They instead will be judged on:
- Creatively thinking about how DePaul’s shared university spaces can be reimagined.
- Thoughtfully recognizing the dignity of others.
- Highlighting Vincentian values in the proposal.
Students who submit the strongest designs will have the option to work with
Art School faculty and student designers to develop their ideas for presentation in the final virtual exhibition.
Organizers invite students to imagine that they have an unlimited budget and unlimited access. According to Girson, “The possibilities are endless.”
- Ionit Behar: Curator, DePaul Art Museum
- Romi Crawford: Professor of Visual and Critical Studies, School of the Art Institute of Chicago
- Nathan Mason: Curator of Exhibits and Public Art, The City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events
What they’re saying:
Girson: “Art breeds curiosity. During polarizing times, people stop being curious, and they get entrenched in their positions. My hope is that this competition will lead to designs that generate more curiosity and empathy, which go hand in hand. Public art allows us to reflect on things collectively, and I’m hoping this competition will help build community at DePaul and raise awareness of different topics and concerns that our students find important.”
“Lastly, I want to express my gratitude to Meredith Anderson, an Art School student who designed the monument & mural competition website.”