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Let Freedom Ring

Association for Public Art
Paul Ramírez Jonas, Let Freedom Ring, 2022, Washington, DC. The Association for Public Art is installing the public artwork in Independence National Historical Park. Photo courtesy of the Association for Public Art.
Paul Ramírez Jonas, Let Freedom Ring, 2022, Washington, DC. The Association for Public Art is installing the public artwork in Independence National Historical Park. Photo courtesy of the Association for Public Art.
Association for Public Art, Let Freedom Ring, Washington, DC. Photo by Paul Ramírez Jonas, courtesy of Monument Lab. 
Association for Public Art, Let Freedom Ring, Washington, DC. Photo by Paul Ramírez Jonas, courtesy of Monument Lab. 
Association for Public Art, Let Freedom Ring digital rendering. Image courtesy of Paul Ramírez Jonas. 
Association for Public Art, Let Freedom Ring digital rendering. Image courtesy of Paul Ramírez Jonas. 

Artist Paul Ramírez Jonas’ public art installation Let Freedom Ring employs the song “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee” to inspire civic engagement and cooperation as the US celebrates its semiquincentennial. Situated adjacent to the Liberty Bell in Independence National Historical Park, the sculpture’s 32 bells play all but the final note of the patriotic anthem, which visitors ring out together on a 600-pound bell. Inscriptions on the installation—which include partial lyrics to the song and incomplete statements that read “I want to be free from” and “I want to be free to”—encourage conversation  and reflection. Association for Public Art “ambassadors” offer interpretive guidance, answer questions, and gather feedback from audiences. Accompanying artmaking workshops and public discussions promote discourse on civic history and the future of American democracy.

The total grant amount represents project funding plus an additional 20% in unrestricted general operating support.

Recipient
Association for Public Art

Association for Public Art

The Association for Public Art (formerly the Fairmount Park Art Association) is the nation's first private, nonprofit organization dedicated to integrating public art and urban planning. Founded in 1872, the Association commissions, preserves, promotes, and interprets a significant collection of public art in Philadelphia.

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