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You will submit this application online using PublicArtist.org.
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| Budget: $155,200 |
| Activated: 09/02/2025 Deadline: 10/06/2025 |
| Call Summary Harris County Precinct 4 seeks qualifications from professional artists or artist teams for the design, fabrication, and installation of a permanent sculptural artwork to be located in Alief. The artwork may consist of a single piece or a clustered series of up to three sculptural elements conceived as a cohesive body of work. This inaugural commission will launch the Alief Art Trail and serve as a cultural landmark that reflects the area's diversity, identity, and community values. The selected artist will work in close collaboration with Metalab, the project’s design and fabrication partner, throughout design development, engineering, fabrication, and installation. Additionally, the selected artist will work in collaboration with five student interns chosen through the PlaceM4KE P4! initiative, a Precinct 4 program that engaged Alief ISD students in exploring community values and creative expression through art. These interns will participate in a series of workshops to share their ideas and winning artworks from the initiative, relay community priorities, and provide feedback during the design phase, helping to ensure the final artwork reflects the vision and spirit of the Alief community. |
| Budget Description The total budget for this commission is $155,200.00. This amount must cover all costs associated with the project, including but not limited to artist fees, design proposals, materials, fabrication, installation, travel, insurance for each year of the project, software, studio operations, project administration, and required documentation. No additional funding will be provided beyond this amount. Metalab Studio will collaborate with the selected artist to provide services related to design development, engineering, documentation, and construction management. Compensation for Metalab's services will be covered directly by Harris County Precinct 4 through a separate agreement and will not impact the artist’s project budget. |
| Artwork Goals The selected artist will be responsible for the following: - Designing, fabricating, and installing a durable, site-responsive public sculpture. - Participating in project coordination meetings and collaborating with the commissioning team, student interns, consultants, and fabricators as needed. - Engaging with five interns from the Alief community during the final design and fabrication phases. This includes two workshops at Metalab Studio and one day of shop visits to the fabricators. These sessions will give interns the opportunity to share their PlaceM4KE P4! Art Contest concepts, observe the sculpture’s development, and receive mentorship on the creative process from concept to completion. - Creating sculptures that draw upon the values and vision developed by five student interns through the PlaceM4KE P4! initiative. These five interns' winning artworks will inspire the foundation for the final artwork - Ensuring the completed work complies with all applicable safety, structural, and accessibility standards. - Providing a maintenance plan and comprehensive project documentation at the conclusion of the project. The selected artist or artist team will enter into an Artist Services Agreement that covers all phases of the commission, from design through installation. Finalists will receive a copy of the contract during the RFP phase for review. The selected artist or artist team will also be required to sign a Visual Artist Rights Act (VARA) waiver. |
| Artwork Location Description The commissioned artwork will be installed in a landscaped median on Kirkwood Road at the intersection with Bellaire Boulevard, adjacent to the Alief Neighborhood Center. The specific installation site will be determined in collaboration with the project team. Depending on the final concept, the work may be placed at one or multiple locations along the corridor. |
| Site History Harris County Precinct 4 serves a broad and diverse region that includes both urban and suburban communities across northwest and west Harris County. With a mission to improve quality of life, the precinct provides essential services, maintains public spaces and infrastructure, and supports programs that foster cultural vibrancy, public safety, and equitable access to resources. Precinct 4 has made community engagement a priority in developing the Alief Art Trail. In partnership with Ford Momentum, a multilingual survey was conducted in 2025 with participation from Alief ISD students and neighborhood organizations. This effort gathered insights from a broad and representative range of residents. Key community themes include: • Diversity is Core. The community places strong value on cultural, ethnic, and gender diversity. • Sense of Belonging. Alief is seen as familiar, welcoming, and grounded in shared experiences. • Authentic Representation. Art should reflect real people including immigrants, working-class residents, youth, elders, and LGBTQ+ individuals. • Art with Meaning. The community wants public art that is inspiring, healing, unifying, and thought-provoking rather than generic or corporate. • Cultural Symbols. Common visual references include the colors dark green and white, “Alief Proud” imagery, local foods, traditional dress, and school-related memories. • Artistic Style Preferences. Bright, playful, reflective, and calming styles are favored. A full summary of the survey will be provided to the selected artist and should be used as a foundation for concept development. |
| Eligibility This opportunity is open to professional artists or artist teams who are 18 years of age or older and currently reside in the Greater Houston Area. An artist eligible under this RFQ is defined as an artist currently residing in one of the following counties: Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, or Waller. Applicants must have experience with public art projects of similar scale and scope and be able to work collaboratively with fabricators, engineers, and community stakeholders. This Request for Qualifications (RFQ) is issued as part of a discretionary selection process for commissioning public artwork under the authority of Chapter 381 of the Texas Local Government Code, which allows counties to administer economic development programs that promote community and cultural development. In accordance with Texas Local Government Code § 381.004, projects undertaken through Chapter 381 agreements are not subject to the competitive procurement requirements outlined in Chapters 252 and 271 of the Texas Local Government Code. Harris County Precinct 4 reserves the right to select artists based on artistic merit, community alignment, and other qualitative criteria at its sole discretion. This RFQ does not constitute a solicitation for bids or proposals under competitive procurement statutes. |
| Application Requirements |
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Biography Resume: 2 page(s) maximum Work examples: 1 - 10 Letter of Interest: 1000 word maximum A description of your interest in this project and your preliminary ideas or approach. Use this as an opportunity to share your perspective, explain why your work is a strong fit, and highlight your enthusiasm for collaborating with the Alief community. References: 2 |
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Artists are allowed to apply in teams.
Artists applying as a team must split the allotted number of work examples between themselves. |
| Selection Information |
| Selection Process A selection panel composed of representatives from local community stakeholders will review all eligible submissions and shortlist three artists or artist teams to develop concept proposals for the commission. |
| Selection Criteria Submissions will be evaluated based on the following criteria: ? Artistic excellence, originality, and a well-defined visual language ? Demonstrated ability to create site-specific public artwork that reflects cultural, historical, and community context, with particular attention to themes identified in the Alief community survey ? Experience with projects of comparable scale, complexity, and public visibility ? Professionalism, including the ability to meet deadlines and manage a fixed budget ? Willingness to engage with community members and student interns throughout the process |
| Timeline Tuesday, September 2, 2025 RFQ Released Thursday, September 11, 2025, 11:00 am Artist Info Session 1 Tuesday, September 16, 2025, 6:00 pm Artist Info Session 2 Monday, October 6, 2025, 5:00 pm RFQ Deadline Monday, October 20, 2025 RFQ notification, RFP released The following dates apply to artists who advance to the RFP phase. Monday, November 24, 2025 RFP Deadline Friday, December 5, 2025 Artist Presentations and Final Selection Wednesday, December 10, 2025 RFP Notification Friday, December 19, 2025 Artist Services Agreement Executed Fall 2026 Project Completion **Precinct 4 will host two (2) artist information sessions about this RFQ via Zoom. Click the links below to register for a session.** ? Artist Info Session 1 – Thursday, September 11, 11:00 am: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/icW950xiTNy691LfzQQsqQ ? Artist Info Session 2 – Tuesday, September 16, 6:00 pm: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/ndsMG9IHSC-rARMpyHTrVA |
| Additional Resources |
| Site overview. (JPG) |
| Contact Information | Piper Faust piper@piperfaustpublicart.com |
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