Commissioning Public Art in Harris County, Texas: A Comprehensive Guide

Are you looking to commission public art in Harris County, Texas? If so, you’ve come to the right place. This comprehensive guide will provide you with all the information you need to successfully commission public art in Harris County, from determining the scope of the project to identifying committee members and developing the Request for Proposal (RFP).The Houston Civic Art Ordinance requires that 1.75 percent of the budget allocated to eligible City-funded construction projects be used to integrate artists' artworks and ideas into public spaces and to conserve the City's Art Collection. The works of art in the collection include paintings, murals, engravings, drawings, photographs, videos, stained glass windows, statues, sculptures, monuments and fountains. The Houston Dance Coalition (HCDC) is dedicated to keeping contemporary dance alive in Houston and firmly positioning it as a cultural center for dance. To this end, they create broad participation and support for contemporary dance.

The HCDC works with a variety of organizations such as the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Houston Grand Opera, American Opera Project, Apollo Chamber Players, Foundation for Modern Music, Museum of Fine Arts Houston, Museum of Contemporary Art Houston, American Composers Forum, National Orchestra of Brazil and many more. Kam Franklin is a Houston-based artist who has been featured by Forbes and Vice magazine for her activism and business projects that seek to create a more equitable and inclusive artistic environment for black, queer and women artists who work in all media and from all backgrounds. Kam is an active participant in the Houston music scene and produces events that feature emerging artists from all over the Gulf Coast area. She also takes advantage of her international platform to represent the city of Houston and defend its business approach to achieving success in the arts for women, minorities and independent artists. Now that you have a better understanding of the organizations involved in commissioning public art in Harris County, let’s take a look at the process itself. Here are the steps you need to take:

Step 1: Establish Project Scope

The first step is to establish the scope of your project.

This includes deciding on a budget, timeline and any other parameters that will help define your project. It’s important to be as specific as possible when defining your project so that you can ensure it meets your expectations.

Step 2: Create Request for Proposal (RFP)

Once you have determined the scope of your project, you can begin creating your RFP. This document should include all relevant information about your project such as budget, timeline and any other requirements or preferences. It should also include contact information for any questions or inquiries.

Step 3: Identify Committee Members

The next step is to identify committee members who will be responsible for reviewing proposals and selecting an artist or artwork.

It’s important to select committee members who have experience with public art projects or who have knowledge of local artists or organizations.

Step 4: Develop Project

Once an artist or artwork has been selected by the committee members, it’s time to develop the project. This includes working with the artist or organization to ensure that all requirements are met and that the project is completed on time and within budget. By following these steps, you can ensure that your public art project is successful. The HCDC is available to advise on any aspect of commissioning public art in Harris County so don’t hesitate to reach out if you need assistance.