Houston East End Public Sculpture Open Call - $1M Budget
Open call for U.S. artists to create a landmark gateway sculpture for Houston's East End District with $1 million total budget.
The Weingarten Art Group seeks U.S.-based artists with large-scale public art experience to design and produce a landmark gateway sculpture for the Navigation Boulevard Roundabout in Houston's culturally diverse East End District. This historic neighborhood grew from a 19th-century trade hub into one of Houston's most multicultural areas, shaped by waves of Asian, Hispanic, African American, and European immigrants. The total project budget is $1 million. The selection process includes two phases: first, a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) where artists submit their credentials and experience. Three finalists will then be invited to submit detailed proposals in the Request for Proposals (RFP) phase. Each finalist receives a $4,500 honorarium for developing their design proposal, plus reimbursed travel expenses for the artist and one studio member for a required March 2026 site visit. The selected artist will collaborate closely with landscape designers and engineers who will handle foundation design, landscaping, and lighting. Beyond creating the sculpture, the chosen artist will serve as a mentor in the inaugural East End Artist Launchpad program, supporting local emerging artists in developing and installing temporary public artworks in the neighborhood. Installation is scheduled for late 2027, creating a lasting celebration of this historic area's rich multicultural heritage and ongoing revitalization.