Artist Call: Houston Arts Advocacy Icon Design
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS
Artist Call:
Houston Arts Advocacy Icon Design
KEY DATES AND INFORMATION
Selection: Three artists will be selected via this RFQ process.
Artist Fee (3): $1,000
RFQ Deadline: September 15, 2024 by midnight CT
Contact: hello@culturallaunch.com
SUMMARY
The seven Houston Cultural Districts (“HCDs”) request the submission of qualifications from artists, designers or artist teams (“Artists”) who would like to be considered to create a Houston Arts Advocacy Icon. As a result of this RFQ process, three (3) Artists will be selected to respond to an RFP to design the icon. Each of these three (3) Artists will be paid $1,000, and one icon will be selected as a uniting graphic image for our arts advocacy work.
The artwork will:
• be a graphic visual representing the Houston arts community as a whole.
• respond to the Arts in Action message map.
BACKGROUND
In 2005, the Texas Legislature granted the Texas Commission on the Arts authority to designate cultural districts in cities across Texas. Cultural districts are defined as special zones that harness the power of cultural resources to stimulate economic development and community vitality. From the state’s perspective, the objective of this program is that cultural districts will be focal points for generating business, attracting tourists, stimulating cultural development and fostering civic pride.
Houston is home to seven state-designated cultural districts. They collectively represent a cross-section of the diverse neighborhoods and arts experiences that make Houston unique.
In 2023, the HCDs came together to collaborate on a project to develop a shared vision and strategy to elevate arts and culture in Houston.
This project culminated in the development of a plan, highlighting how the HCDs can leverage their strengths and capabilities in order to increase the connection, visibility, and sustainability of arts and culture in Houston.
The result is a two-part strategy - a purposeful effort to grow the network of arts and cultural ambassadors in Houston and a parallel strategy that brings visitors and residents together to experience and celebrate Houston’s cultural vibrancy through a series of storytelling projects.
The first strategy — Champion — attempts to grow the network of arts and cultural ambassadors in Houston, by building capacity for advocacy and developing new partnerships outside of the sector united around a policy platform. By building power for the sector, these efforts seek to advance shared policy and funding priorities, resulting in a well-funded arts and culture sector that is involved in the everyday decisions that shape life in Houston.
Coordinated advocacy is critical for a successful path forward. Our Champion strategy will 1) grow the network of arts and cultural ambassadors in Houston and 2) build sector influence through deepening relationships with decision-making bodies, as well as government and business leaders.
PURPOSE AND GOALS
The purpose of this RFQ is to hire an Artist to partner with HCDs to provide a graphic image to support this Champion priority. The design of a Houston Arts Advocacy Icon is the first step in response to the communities call for a “unified visual action (graphic) - one message and one campaign.”
TIMELINE AND BUDGET
The three Artists selected to respond to the RFP will be asked to design their icon by September 25, 2024. Each Artist (3) selected to respond to the RFP will be paid $1,000, inclusive of all work including, but not limited to, final design, artists’ fees, software, studio and project administration, travel, design, and required deliverables.
ELIGIBILITY
THE FOLLOWING ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY:
Open to all Houston Area Artists, designers and artist teams over 18 years of age with the availability to accomplish work by the deadline. “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
RFQ APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Artist(s) resume or CV (1 page maximum per artist or team member)
Artist(s) Biography (250 words maximum)
Statement of Intent (1,000 words maximum)
Statement of Intent - A Statement of Intent (SOI) is a declaration of your plans and ideas for a specific project. The SOI should communicate your personality, professionalism, qualifications, and enthusiasm for the project.Artist Statement (500 words maximum)
Artist Statement - An artist statement is a 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 and how that practice is most relevant to this project.Digital images of relevant completed artworks. Applicants may submit up to five (5) images. Each image should include information about artist, title (if necessary), year completed, and material for each image provided.
RFQ APPLICATION SUBMISSION
Application requirements [resume, biography, statement of intent, artist statement, and digital images] should be saved in a google drive, dropbox or other digital format and a link should be submitted via email to hello@culturallaunch.com. Only applications sent via email will be considered.
SELECTION PROCESS
A panel of HCD leaders will review qualified submissions and select up to three Artists who will develop concept proposals for the opportunity.
Review of artist qualifications will be subject to the following considerations:
The artist’s work demonstrates a unique voice, perspective, or aesthetic.
The artist’s submission demonstrates their ability to create a graphic icon that would support the goals of this project as outlined above.
The artist demonstrates an interest in this project.
CONTACT
Questions concerning this RFQ should be directed to:
Marci Dallas
Email: hello@culturallaunch.com