Summary

Houston Arts Alliance (HAA), in partnership with the Houston Cinema Arts Society (HCAS), invites Houston-based filmmakers to lead the creation of a 20–30-minute documentary film or a series of short films that explore how soccer shapes neighborhood life and community connection across Houston.

This project will document soccer’s role as a cultural and social gathering point in Houston neighborhoods, capturing the lived experiences of players, families, coaches, and residents whose daily lives are connected to the sport. It will reflect the city’s rich cultural life, shared traditions, and community pride.

We are seeking a filmmaker whose artistic vision and documentary storytelling practice can bring depth, authenticity, and cinematic excellence to this community-centered project.

One filmmaker will be selected through this open call process. This project is supported by the National Endowment for the Arts and administered through the Houston Arts Alliance.

Project Overview 

Soccer is deeply woven into the daily life of Houston’s neighborhoods—from public parks and school fields to informal gathering spaces where families, players, coaches, and residents come together.

The selected filmmaker will lead the creative development and production of a documentary that explores how soccer shapes life across Houston’s neighborhoods. The film will examine themes of neighborhood identity and pride, intergenerational participation in sport, and the shared rituals and traditions that emerge around match days. It should highlight how soccer fosters community gathering and a sense of belonging, activates public spaces as sites of connection and celebration, and reflects the dynamic intersection of art, culture, and athletics in Houston.

Filming should take place in selected Houston neighborhoods where soccer is a visible part of everyday life.

The completed documentary will be professionally edited and finalized during the grant period, culminating in a polished final film ready for public presentation. As part of the project, the film will be presented at one free public screening, creating an opportunity for community members to gather and engage with the work collectively. Following the screening, the documentary will be hosted online for free, ongoing public access, ensuring broad and continued availability to audiences across Houston and beyond. The screening will also be accompanied by a post-screening community conversation designed to deepen dialogue around the film’s themes and the role of sport in neighborhood life.

The selected filmmaker will serve as the Lead Filmmaker and primary creative lead for the project, with full responsibility for conceiving, directing, and delivering the documentary from initial concept through final completion.

The Lead Filmmaker will originate and refine the project concept, develop the overall narrative approach, and shape a community-based storytelling framework that authentically reflects participants’ voices and experiences. They will direct all aspects of production, including planning and conducting interviews, overseeing principal photography, and establishing the project’s visual and audio aesthetic.

The Lead Filmmaker will have primary creative authority over the project, in alignment with Houston Arts Alliance (HAA) and Houston Cinema Arts Society (HCAS) goals and approval processes.

The Lead Filmmaker will be responsible for assembling and managing the project team, including hiring and supervising editors, cinematographers, and other key creative and technical personnel as needed. They will oversee the full post-production process, including editing, narrative development, and sound design.

Final deliverables will include a professionally produced 20–30-minute documentary or, alternatively, a series of short films, depending on the agreed-upon project scope.

In addition, the Lead Filmmaker will participate in regular planning meetings with HAA and HCAS and, as applicable, will collaborate with and help guide emerging creatives engaged through workforce development opportunities tied to the project.

Eligibility 

Eligibility is open to all artists and artist teams living or working in the Greater Houston Area and over 18 years of age. 

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

Applicants should be Houston-based filmmakers with demonstrated experience in documentary filmmaking, narrative nonfiction, or community-based storytelling. The selected artist or team must be able to collaborate with community members and project partners throughout the development and production process.

Applicants must also be available for the full project timeline outlined below and prepared to engage in both the planning and implementation phases of the work. Filmmakers whose practice includes community storytelling, cultural documentation, sports-centered narratives, or neighborhood-based work are especially encouraged to apply, as this project seeks to authentically reflect the lived experiences and cultural fabric of Houston’s communities.

Applications that do not meet all eligibility criteria or application requirements will be withdrawn from consideration.

Budget

The selected filmmaker will receive a project budget of $22,000.

The final contract amount will be determined during the scope development phase and may include support for the creative fee or artist stipend, production expenses, equipment and crew costs, post-production services, sound design and final finishing, and limited mentorship and participation in workforce development activities associated with the project.

The production support budget will be outlined in the final contract. The payment schedule will be milestone-based and tied to:

• Contract execution (40%)
• Completion of principal photography (30%)
• Final delivery and screening readiness (30%)

Application Requirements  

Submit the following materials via Submittable:

 Letter of Interest (Written Submission up to 500 words, or a Video Submission under 5 minutes)

• Describe your interest in the project, including what draws you to this opportunity and why the subject matter resonates with your artistic practice. Include your documentary storytelling approach, your connection to Houston communities, and your vision for telling this story in a way that authentically captures the spirit, voices, and lived experiences of the neighborhoods involved.

 Resume / CV

• Include relevant professional experience, exhibitions, screenings, festivals, and awards.

 Artist Biography (Written Submission up to 250 words, or a Video Submission under 2 minutes)

• A summary of your artistic background, practice, and key achievements, providing context for your work and career.

 Preliminary Creative Approach (Written Submission up to 500 words, or a Video Submission under 5 minutes)

• Provide a brief narrative outlining how you would approach key elements of the project, including community interviews, visual storytelling, the atmosphere and character of the neighborhoods, the representation of sports and movement, and your approach to sound and pacing. This response is intended to offer insight into your creative process and storytelling sensibility and is not expected to be a full treatment.

 Work Samples - Samples should demonstrate documentary, community-centered, or narrative nonfiction work.

• Submit 2–3 film samples via links (Vimeo, YouTube, personal website, etc.).

 Additional Relevant Documents (Optional)      

 Professional References (Optional but encouraged)

• Up to 2 professional references.

Selection Process - Applications will be reviewed by a panel of arts and community representatives.

Criteria – Scoring Rubric

• Artistic Quality (30%)  Demonstrated excellence in cinematography, narrative structure, editing, and storytelling.
• Project Feasibility (25%)  Demonstrated capacity to complete the work within the proposed timeline.
• Storytelling Vision (25%)  Ability to translate the themes of community, sport, and place into compelling documentary form.
• Community Practice (10%)  Evidence of ethical, respectful, and collaborative engagement with communities.
• Local Relevance (10%)  Understanding of Houston’s neighborhoods, cultural life, and community dynamics.

Contracting

This project will be covered by a single contract with the Houston Arts Alliance. The selected artist must be able and willing to sign the contract. 

Project Timeline - *Timelines are subject to change

• May 15, 2026 - Submission deadline
• May 18–22, 2026 - Panel review and finalist selection
•  May 26, 2026 - Selected filmmaker notified
• June – August 2026 - Principal photography
• September – December 2026 - Post-production, public screening, and online release
• December 2026 – Project closeout

Contact

For more information, send questions to Grace Zuniga at the Houston Arts Alliance at grace@haatx.com with the subject line “Request for Submissions – Filmmakers.”

 **Please scroll down for the application** 

Houston Civic Art  

REQUEST FOR ACQUISITIONS 

Civic Art Project for Houston Airports in Partnership with Southwest Airlines 

Portable Work Acquisition  

Budget: $215,000.00 for the acquisition of multiple works of art 

Deadline: Monday, June 01, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. CST  

Location: HOU Baggage Claim Corridor   

Eligibility: Texas Artists  

Para asistencia en español, haga clic aquí

Only applications sent via Submittable will be considered. 

Summary

On behalf of Southwest Airlines and Houston Airports, Houston Arts Alliance requests the submissions of multiple two or three-dimensional artworks for direct purchase for the Houston Airports West Concourse Expansion Project at William P. Hobby Airport. The approved works will become a part of the City of Houston’s permanent civic art collection.

As passengers make their way from their gates to the baggage claim and exits, the main corridor provides opportunities for two art display cases. Glass-protected displays offer space for wall-hung or three-dimensional pieces. A large 4’ x 8’ x 2’5” opening to each case allows works at a variety of forms and scales. The inspiration for this work is “Space City” to connect with the celestial designs of the adjacent baggage claim hall and the exterior passenger canopy. 

Artists or sellers of the selected artwork will be responsible for delivering the pieces to a designated location in Houston, TX. Purchase price to include costs of framing, delivery, shipping, or other needs for the delivery for installation-ready artwork. Artworks requiring a plinth or display shelf must include those features with the acquisition submission and in the total purchase price.

The Hobby Airport West Concourse Expansion will include seven new gates, a state-of-the-art baggage handling system, additional baggage claim carousels and a protective canopy connecting the terminal to the parking garage. 

Houston Airports is the City of Houston’s Department of Aviation. Comprised of George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), and Ellington Airport (EFD) / Houston Spaceport, Houston Airports served 62 million passengers in 2025. Houston Airports is one of the largest airport systems in North America and serves as a primary gateway to Latin America and the South-Central region of the United States. Houston Airports is the winner of the World’s Best Airport Art Program, awarded by Skytrax in 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026. Civic Art at Houston Airports enhances the passenger experience by building and presenting a world-class collection of regional, national and international artworks.

Eligibility 

THE FOLLOWING ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY: 

• Open to all Texas artists and galleries in Texas submitting on behalf of Texas artists. 
• Texas Artist is defined as: 
• Born in the State of Texas, or
• Currently residing within the State of Texas 
• Galleries submitting applications for more than one artist must submit individual applications for each applicant/artist. 
• If multiple artists or artworks are included on the same application, the submission will be marked as ineligible.
• Artists can be living or deceased. 
• Secondary market artwork will also be considered. 
• Living artists or artist teams for whom applications are submitted must be 18 years of age or older.

THE FOLLOWING ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO APPLY:

• Artists currently under contract for a City of Houston Civic Art project.
• City of Houston employees.
• Elected City Officials, Mayor’s Office of the Arts, and their immediate family.
• Houston Arts Alliance employees, Board members, Advisory Board members, and their immediate family. 

Applications that do not meet all eligibility criteria or application requirements will be withdrawn from consideration.

Budget

· Artworks for consideration must be priced at fair market value.

· The total price listed for each object must include the cost of delivery by the artist (or submitter) to a collection site within Houston, Texas, designated by HAA.

Application Requirements

• Each artist or gallery may submit up to three (3) artworks per artist. Each entry is one artwork. There are no limits to the number of artists a gallery can submit. 
• If more than three artworks are submitted, only the first three will be marked as eligible. 
• Artist(s) resume or CV (3 pages maximum per artist)
• Artist Statement (500 words maximum)
• An artist statement is a written description of the work that helps the audience access or understand it. 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.
• Digital images of the artworks. Applicants can submit up to three (3) images in JPEG format, no larger than 2 MB, of the same artwork. One video, no longer than 30 seconds, may also be accepted per artwork. Image details should include:
• Artist Name
• Work Title
• Year Completed
• Dimensions (inches – H x W x D)
• Material
• Price

Other Requirements for Three-Dimensional Work:

• Artwork should not exceed a height of 40 inches or a depth of 24 inches. 
• All artwork must exist and have been completed before December 31, 2025. Works in progress or concept proposals will not be considered.
• Subject matter depicting obscene, sexually explicit, social, political, religious, racially demeaning, or other subjects that the City of Houston deems to be inappropriate for an airport environment will not be accepted.

Other Requirements for Two-Dimensional Work:

• Artwork should not exceed a height of 40 inches or width of 72 inches. 
• All artwork must exist and be accomplished before December 31, 2025. Works in progress or concept proposals will not be considered.
• Framed 2-D artwork must be ready to hang, prepared with D-rings, French cleat, or other appropriate hardware, as required. Framed works should be noted as such. 
• Mounted 2-D artwork must be ready to hang, prepared with appropriate hardware and installation instructions. Mounted artworks should be noted as such.
• Photography and works on paper must be made from archival materials and must be framed with the appropriate museum-quality glazing.
• Subject matter depicting obscene, sexually explicit, social, political, religious, racially demeaning, or other subjects that the City of Houston deems to be inappropriate for an airport environment will not be accepted.

Artworks for consideration will also be subject to the following criteria:

• All artwork for consideration must be titled.
• All artwork must be ready to install for public presentation.
• Artworks must meet or exceed the City of Houston ADA requirements.
• Artworks should be resistant to graffiti and vandalism and require minimal maintenance.
• Artworks should be family-friendly and suitable for public display to a diverse, and international audience at the airport.
• Artwork must be durable and have a life span of at least 20 years. 
• Artwork should make a significant artistic addition to the City’s Civic Art Collection and demonstrate a specific artistic voice, perspective, or aesthetic. 

Selection Process

• A six-person panel comprised of arts representatives, community representatives, and Houston Airport System representatives will review artwork submissions and recommend artworks for purchase.

Location and Site 

William P. Hobby West Concourse Expansion, 7800 Airport Blvd, Houston, TX 77061  

See linked site plans and images for more information. 

Contracting 

Established in 1999, Houston Civic Art is a City of Houston Mayor’s Office of the Arts (MOA) program that contracts with Houston Arts Alliance (HAA) to manage projects.    

Selected Galleries will enter into a Purchase Agreement with HAA. A sample agreement is linked HERE.  

Selected artists will also be required to sign a Visual Artist Rights Act (VARA) Waiver with the City of Houston. View a sample of the waiver HERE 

Timeline 

All dates are subject to change. 

RFA Released:                                 Week of April 27th  

Artist Info Session # 1**,                  May 12, 2026 

Artist Info Session # 2**,                 May 19, 2026 

Deadline for questions:                   May 22, 2026 

RFA submission deadline:              June 1, 2026  

Selected artist notified by HAA:     August 25, 2026  

Purchase Agreement:                     August 28, 2026   

Artwork Delivery:                            September 2026    

 **HAA will host two (2) artist information sessions about this RFA via Zoom. Click the links below to register for a session. ** 

• Artist Info Session #1 – Tuesday, May 12, 2026 @ 1:00 PM REGISTER HERE. 
• Artist Info Session #2 – Tuesday, May 19, 2026 @ 6:00 PM REGISTER HERE.

Contact 

For questions and/or more information, please do not contact the City of Houston Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs (MOA) or Houston Airports (HAS). Direct all inquiries to:       

Houston Arts Alliance - Civic Art Division    

Subject Line: RFA for William P. Hobby Airport Southwest Airlines Expansion

Civicart@haatx.com 

Please submit all questions in writing via email no later than Friday, May 22, 2026, at 5 PM CST to civicart@haatx.com. Questions will be answered as they are received. All answers to questions received by the question due date will be posted publicly to the Houston Arts Alliance FAQ Page for this project HERE.