Houston Arts Alliance: George Bush Intercontinental Airport Welcome to Houston Outdoor Artwork Commission

Houston Arts Alliance Civic Art Program and Houston Airport System are seeking proposals from professional artists for a major commissioned sculpture at George Bush Intercontinental Airport. This is an invitational request for qualifications for a significant cultural gateway or landmark artwork in an outdoor location. Purchase of an existing work, with involvement by the artist for siting and lighting, will be considered.

Eligibility is open to practicing, professional artists residing in the United States who have been invited to submit qualifications. The project budget is $1,000,000, including design fee, engineering, site preparation, insurance, transportation, artist's travel, materials and studio expenses. The artist or artist team will be contracted by January 31, 2009, with groundbreaking anticipated in September 2009 and project completion by December 2009. Works should be highly durable and require minimal maintenance. Selection will be made by a panel of leading members of Houston's art community, with high aesthetic merit and demonstrated ability to execute large-scale work unique to the City of Houston as major considerations.

Three finalists will be selected and brought to Houston to view sites at the airport, meet with Houston Airport System officials and the selection committee. Each finalist will propose a site and orientation for their work and provide a rendering showing how the piece will look and what foundations or footings will be required. Each artist or team will be paid an all-inclusive fee of $3,500 for proposal and presentation development, plus all travel costs. Application deadline is December 1, 2008. Submit through CaFE at www.callforentry.org. For further information, contact Piper Huddleston, Civic Art + Design Coordinator, Houston Arts Alliance, 3201 Allen Parkway, Suite 250, Houston TX 77019, 713.527.9330 ext. 124, [email protected].