Phase IV-B Public Art Benches in The Woodlands Arts District

The Woodlands Arts Council invites local, national, and international artists to apply for Phase IV-B of the Woodlands Art Bench outdoor permanent collection. This phase will feature four new art benches to be installed along The Woodlands Waterway adjacent to The Cynthia Woods-Mitchell Pavilion and in the Hughes Landing commercial area adjacent to Lake Woodlands. The Woodlands is a master-planned community of more than 100,000 residents located 40 miles north of Houston, with a strong history of public art and aesthetically unique natural landscapes.

Artists of all experience levels are eligible to submit up to three applications per location site. Three semi-finalists will be chosen for each bench location and will each receive a $300 stipend. One finalist for each location will be selected to construct an art bench and will receive $8,000 ($4,000 upon execution of Artist Agreement and $4,000 when the bench is delivered and accepted). Benches must be constructed of highly durable materials suitable for a hot, humid, semi-tropical environment for at least five years and ideally maintainable by power-washing. Designs must be comfortable and safe for at least three people to sit on, not enticing to skateboarders, and must be bolted into concrete for installation. All works must be original pieces created for this competition and must not present a danger to public safety, health, or welfare.

Applications must include an artist's statement of intent, proposed build plan, professional resume, three professional references, and four high-resolution design images (one mock-up preview, one front view, one detail view, and one additional view). Optional portfolio images of up to six previously completed artworks may also be submitted. Entry fee is $40 for the first design, with $5 per design for additional designs (up to three per location). Semi-finalists will be notified by April 30, 2020. Semi-finalists will present design proposals by May 30, 2020, and finalists will be notified by June 8, 2020. Installation must be completed by September 15, 2020, with an installation ceremony in October 2020.