Phase IV Public Art Benches in The Woodlands Arts District

The Woodlands Arts Council invites local, national, and international artists to apply for Phase IV of the Public Art Benches project in The Woodlands, Texas. Three new art benches will be installed along The Woodlands Waterway adjacent to The Cynthia Woods-Mitchell Pavilion. Through a partnership with The Woodlands Township and underwriter funding, these one-of-a-kind art benches add beauty to the community while serving a practical function. 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 disciplines, including sculptors, architects, and bench builders, are eligible to submit one application per site location with no geographic limitations. Three semi-finalists will be chosen for each bench location and receive a $300 stipend. One finalist for each location will be selected to construct an art bench and receive $8,000 total ($4,000 upon execution of Artist Agreement and $4,000 when the bench is delivered and accepted). Entry fee is $40 for the first design, with $5 additional per design for up to two additional designs. Applications must include: artist's statement of intent, build plan and proposed budget, professional resume, three professional references, six portfolio images of previously completed work, and four design images of the proposed design.

Benches must be constructed of highly durable materials suitable for a hot, humid, semi-tropical environment for at least five years and maintainable by power-washing. Designs should be comfortable and safe for at least three people to sit on and must not present a danger to public safety. Benches will be bolted into concrete for installation. Semi-finalists will be notified by April 30, 2019, and will present design proposals by May 30, 2019. Finalists will be notified by June 15, 2019, with installation completed by September 15, 2019. An installation ceremony will occur in October 2019. The Woodlands Arts Council reserves all rights to use images, audio, video, and other media collected as part of the competition for promotional and educational purposes in perpetuity.