Request for Qualifications 

Civic Art Project for Simon Minchen Park 

Budget: $190,500.00

Deadline: Tuesday, July 1, 6:00 PM CST 

Location: 4900 W Fuqua Street, Houston, TX 77045

Eligibility: Greater Houston Area

Only applications sent via Submittable will be considered. 

Summary

On behalf of the South Post Oak Redevelopment Authority (TIRZ 9), Houston Arts Alliance requests the submission of qualifications from artists or artist-teams to design, fabricate, and install major permanent public artwork for the Larry V. Green Memorial at Simon Minchen Park.  Commissioned works may be accessioned into the City of Houston’s Civic Art Collection.

Larry V. Green was the first council member to represent Council District K, which was created in 2011 and spans from the edge of the Texas Medical Center into a portion of Fort Bend County. He began his term in office in January 2012 and served two terms. He was succeeded by the current District K Council Member, Martha Castex-Tatum, in May 2018. 

Green grew up in the Hiram Clarke community in District K, graduating from James Madison Senior High School. He continued his education at the University of Houston, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. He then attended Texas Southern University’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law, where he graduated with his Doctor of Jurisprudence. Before his work in public service, Green worked as a successful trial lawyer for 25 years. 

Green leaves a legacy of growth, prosperity, and green spaces in District K. He was responsible for bringing nearly 2 billion dollars of economic development projects into District K, including street repairs, expansions, and infrastructure improvements, a new HPD substation, a senior citizen center, and leading many programs to support and champion small businesses in the district, many of which remain in business today. 

As part of his Klean It Up/Green It Up campaign, in 2015, Council Member Green unveiled 31 mini murals painted on traffic signal electrical boxes around District K, the first of hundreds of mini murals now seen on electrical boxes throughout the city. The former council member also led multiple tree planting campaigns, bringing natural beauty and shade into the district. 

Known to many in his district as a friend and a determined advocate, Green is remembered for his charismatic, fun, and robust presence and his dedication to his community. This memorial project honoring Larry V. Green is envisioned as an uplifting memorial that will pay homage to his life and service to District K. The selected artist will be required to seek input and feedback from the community throughout the design process to ensure this memorial represents the Green family and the District K community.
 

Scope of Civic Art Project and Artwork Requirements

This opportunity seeks the completion of a large-scale outdoor sculpture or installation.

Commissioned artworks will be subject to the following requirements: 

· Artworks should be family-friendly and suitable for public display to a diverse and international audience.

· Artworks must be free of safety hazards.

· Artworks must meet or exceed City of Houston ADA requirements. 

· Artworks should be resistant to graffiti and vandalism and require minimal maintenance. 

· Artwork must have an expected life span of at least 20 years.

Eligibility 

THE FOLLOWING ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY:

Open to all Houston Area Artists and artist-teams over 18 years of age. “Houston Area Artist” is defined by the following:

· Currently residing within the Greater Houston Area: Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, or Waller counties

· Artist/Artist Team must be able to work at the required scale and have the availability to accomplish by the deadline
 

FOR GALLERIES INTERESTED IN APPLYING ON BEHALF OF ARTISTS

· Galleries submitting applications for more than one artist must submit individual applications for each applicant. The submission will be marked as ineligible if multiple artists are included on the same application.
 

THE FOLLOWING ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO APPLY:

· City of Houston or South Post Oak Redevelopment Authority employees.

· Elected City Officials, South Post Oak Redevelopment Authority Board Members, and their immediate family.

· Houston Arts Alliance employees, Board Members, Advisory Board Members, and their immediate family.

Applications not meeting all eligibility criteria or application requirements will be withdrawn from consideration.
 

Location and Site

1.  Address: Simon Minchen Park, 4900 W Fuqua Street, Houston TX 77045

2. See linked site plans and images for more information. 

a. Artwork location Images: LVG_Artwork_Location.pdf 

b. Find out more: https://www.houstontx.gov/ecodev/tirz/9.html

c. About TIRZ 9: https://www.tirz9.org/our-purpose/

Budget

The budget of $190,500.00 is inclusive of all work including, but not limited to, design proposals, artists’ fees, design, engineering, permitting, insurance costs for each year of the project, lighting, software, studio and project administration, travel, fabrication, all materials, installation, and required documentation.

 Application Requirements

1. Artist(s) resume or CV, relevant information for any other key team members (3 pages maximum per artist or team member) 

2. Artist Biography (250 words maximum or under 2 minutes)

3. Statement of Intent/Concept Brief (1,000 words maximum or under 5 minutes)

Statement of Intent - A Statement of Intent is a declaration of your plans and your ideas for a specific project. A SOI is your chance to demonstrate your personality, professionalism, qualifications, and enthusiasm for a project.

4. Artist Statement (500 words maximum or under 3 minutes)

Artist Statement - An artist statement is a written description of your work that helps the audience access or understand your artistic work. The purpose of the artist statement is to inform, add context, and present process and conceptual ideas to the viewer, which may include sources, ideas, and materials in your current practice. 

5. Digital images of completed artworks. Applicants should submit up to ten (10) images in JPEG format only with each image no larger than 2 MB. Each image should include information about artist, title, year completed, dimensions, material, commissioning entity, and budget or price (as applicable) for each image provided

 Selection Process

Qualifications will be reviewed by a panel of arts professionals/artists and SPORA stakeholders, and subject to the following criteria:

· The artist’s submission demonstrates their ability to effectively engage with communities and/or involve the community in the project in a meaningful way.

· The artist’s submission demonstrates their ability to create site-specific artwork which responds to the creativity, legacy, and spirit of Council Member Larry V. Green.

· The artist’s work demonstrates an artistic voice, perspective, or aesthetic that is appropriate for this location and project.
 

Contracting

Selected semi-finalists will be placed under contract with HAA for the completion of a comprehensive concept design proposal for the artwork project. The selected artist will be placed under contract with HAA for the completion of a comprehensive design, fabrication, and installation of artwork for the project. The selected semi-finalists and finalists must be able and willing to sign contracts for design and commission. 

Sample Contracts:

· Attachment A1 - Artist Services Agreement for Conceptual Design Services 

· Attachment A2 - Artist Services Agreement for Final Design, Fabrication, and Installation Services 

Selected artists will also be required to sign a Visual Artist Rights Act (VARA) Waiver with the South Post Oak Management District. View a sample of the waiver HERE. 

Timeline 

All dates are subject to change.

· Artist Info Session # 1**  June 3rd, 5:30 PM CST

· Artist Info Session # 2**  June 11th, 10:30 AM CST

· RFQ submission deadline:  Tuesday, July 1st, 6:00 PM CST 

· RFQ notification:  Week of July 14th 

The following section only applies to artists who advance to the RFP phase:

· RFP released to finalists: Week of July 14th 

· RFP deadline: Week of August 18th 

· Artist proposal presentations:  Week of September 1st 

· Selected artist notified by HAA: September 5th

· Project completion:  May 2026 

**HAA will also host two (2) artist information sessions about the open call via Zoom. Click here for more details and to register for a session.**

Artist Information Session 1: Tuesday, June 3rd, 5:30 PM CST 

Artist Information Session 2: Wednesday, June 11th, 10:30 AM CST
 

Contact

For questions and/or more information, please direct all inquiries to: 

Houston Arts Alliance - Civic Art Department

Subject Line: Larry V. Green Memorial

civicart@haatx.com 

Please submit all questions in writing via email no later than Monday, June 23, to civicart@haatx.com. Questions will be answered as they are received and no later than Wednesday, June 25.