Artists from Across the Americas Encouraged To Submit Qualifications for Five Major Permanent Works of Public Art at New International Terminal at George Bush Intercontinental Airport

The Civic Art Program of the City of Houston Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs is requesting submissions of qualifications from artists and artist teams to design, fabricate and install major permanent works of public art at five locations inside the new international terminal at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport, located at 2800 N Terminal Rd, Houston, TX 77032.

Five separate Request for Qualifications were released March 4 for key parts of the international terminal.

Departures Façade (Passenger Drop Off Area), a heavily trafficked area, where three artworks will be a major focal point with views throughout the hall and the exterior passenger drop off level. The RFQ calls for a “Panorama of Houston” that celebrates and reflects the rich and diverse local fabric that makes the city unique, such as Houston’s ecology, economy, recreation, diversity, food culture, and robust art culture. Budget: $857,000. Completion deadline: Dec. 2023.

Departure Level Garage Wall Installation, a drop off area where artwork will be a major focal point with views from the exterior drop off area and the Departures Hall. The intent is for a large wall installation that reflects the inspiration and innovation of Houston, reflecting the “Panorama of Houston” theme. Budget: $600,000[3] . Completion deadline: Dec. 2023.

Arrivals Level Garage Wall Installation, a location where passengers wait for their transportation. The intent is for a large wall installation. The RFQ calls for a “Welcome to Houston” theme that celebrates and evokes the rich and diverse local fabric that makes Houston inspiring for residents and visitors alike. Budget: $600,000. Completion deadline: Dec. 2023.

Arrivals Pet Area Sculpture, a place where passengers await their transportation in the outdoor lounge area or pet relief area. The intent is for a large-scale free standing sculpture commission that reflects the “Welcome to Houston” theme. Budget: $334,000. Completion deadline: Dec. 2023.

Arrivals Lobby Artwork (Elevator Bank), a spot where arriving passengers will view the Precleared Elevator Lobby artwork as they make their way through to the passenger pick up area. The intent is for a large two-dimensional wall-mounted artwork commission, also inspired by the “Welcome to Houston” theme. Budget: $157,000. Completion deadline: Dec. 2023.

Qualifications will be reviewed by a panel of three art professionals or artists and are subject to the following criteria:

The artist's work demonstrates a unique voice, perspective, or aesthetic.

The artist's submission demonstrates their ability to create site-specific artwork which responds to the history, culture, and identity of the surrounding community.

The artist's work demonstrates an artistic voice, perspective, or aesthetic that is not substantially represented in the current Collection.

Applicants who have questions can contact Houston Arts Alliance’s Civic Art + Design Department by sending an email to civicart@haatxhelp.zendesk.com no later than Wed., Mar. 30, 2022. Questions will be answered no later than Apr 6, 2022.

https://houstonartsalliance.submittable.com/submit

The Origin of Funding

Funds for the permanent work of public arts at George Bush Intercontinental Airport were allocated by a City of Houston ordinance which mandates that 1.75% of qualified and applicable Capital Improvement Project dollars be set aside for civic art. These funds reside with Houston Airport’s Enterprise Fund – a non-taxpayer, self-sustaining fund of the City. Under contract and in partnership with MOCA, Houston Arts Alliance administers these city-funded public opportunities to acquire and conserve the City of Houston's public art pieces.

About the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs

The City of Houston Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs guides the City’s cultural investments with policies and initiatives that expand access to arts and cultural programs in the community, attract visitors and leverage private investment. Learn more at www.houstontx.gov/culturalaffairs and follow us on Facebook & Instagram @HoustonMOCA.

About Houston Airports

Houston Airports is the City of Houston’s Department of Aviation, comprised of George Bush Intercontinental Airport, IAH, William P. Hobby Airport, HOU, and Ellington Airport/Houston Spaceport, EFD, Houston Airports served 24.7 million passengers in 2020 and nearly 60 million in 2019. Houston Airports forms one of North America's largest public airport systems and positions Houston as the international passenger and cargo gateway to the South-Central United States and as a primary gateway to Latin America. Houston is proud to be the only city in the Western Hemisphere with two Skytrax rated 4-star airports. https://www.fly2houston.com.

About Houston Arts Alliance

Houston Arts Alliance (HAA) is a local arts and culture organization whose principal work is to implement the City of Houston’s vision, values, and goals for its arts grantmaking and civic art investments. HAA also executes privately funded special projects to meet the needs of the arts community, such as disaster preparation, research on the state of the arts in Houston, and temporary public art projects that energize neighborhoods. To learn more about HAA, visit www.houstonartsalliance.com and follow us on Facebook & Instagram @HoustonArtsAlliance.