Hobby Airport West Concourse Expansion Suspended Artwork Request for Qualifications

About the Open Call

This is a Request for Qualifications for a Civic Art Project for Houston Airports in partnership with Southwest Airlines, specifically for the William P. Hobby West Concourse Expansion Suspended Artwork. The project aims for a significant artistic addition to the City of Houston’s Civic Art Collection, highly visible to millions of annual travelers. The inspiration is dappled light filtering through live oak trees, encouraging concepts engaging natural light and shifting perspectives. The expansion includes new gates, baggage systems, and a protective canopy. Houston Airports, recognized for its art program, seeks to enhance passenger experience. The commission is for a large-scale installation (approx. 118 ft by 49 ft, 5,700 sq ft) located above westernmost gate areas, defined by a full-height glass wall and origami-like ceiling. Technical specifications include connection points on a five-foot by five-foot grid, a total artwork weight not exceeding 3,000 pounds (max 400 lbs per roof joist, 1,000 lbs per roof truss), and a requirement to remain at least fifty percent open for fire safety. Power (120-volt) is available, and the artist is responsible for lighting and control systems. Artworks must be family-friendly, suitable for diverse audiences, free of safety hazards, ADA compliant, resistant to graffiti/vandalism, require minimal maintenance, have an expected lifespan of at least 20 years, and make a significant artistic addition to the City of Houston Art Collection.

What is Offered

The budget for this commission is $710,000.00, which is inclusive of all work: design proposals, artists’ fees, design, engineering, permitting, insurance costs, lighting, software, studio and project administration, travel, fabrication, all materials, installation, and required documentation. The final commission will involve two separate contracts with HAA: one for design and one for construction.

Requirements

This opportunity is open to all professional artists and artist teams residing in the United States, age 18 and older. Artists working in all media and artistic approaches are encouraged to apply. Galleries, agents, and representatives must submit individual applications for each artist. Ineligible applicants include artists currently under contract for a City of Houston Civic Art project, City of Houston employees, elected City Officials, Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs Staff, and their immediate family, and Houston Arts Alliance employees, Board members, Advisory Board members, and their immediate family. Applications not meeting eligibility or requirements will be withdrawn. Artwork requirements include being family-friendly, suitable for a diverse and international audience, free of safety hazards, meeting City of Houston ADA requirements, resistant to graffiti and vandalism, requiring minimal maintenance, having an expected life span of at least 20 years, and making a significant artistic addition to the City of Houston Art Collection.

How to Apply

Applications must be sent via Submittable. Required application materials include: 1. Artist(s) resume or CV (3 pages maximum per artist or team member). 2. Artist Biography (250 words maximum or under 2 minutes). 3. Statement of Intent/Concept Brief (1,000 words maximum or under 5 minutes). 4. Artist Statement (500 words maximum or under 3 minutes). 5. Digital images of up to ten (10) completed artworks in JPEG format (each no larger than 2 MB), with information about artist, title, year completed, dimensions, material, commissioning entity, and budget or price for each.