HAA and HPD request artist qualifications for permanent art at District 18's new police station
The Houston Arts Alliance (HAA) and City of Houston Police Department (HPD) request qualifications from artists to create a permanent work for District 18’s new police station.
Eligibility – This opportunity is open to professional artists working in all media.
Budget – $120,000 (inclusive) deriving from the City of Houston’s 1.75% for art ordinance.
Project Site – The Midwest Police Station is a remodeled 60,000 square foot facility that began operation in March 2010. It is located at 7277 Regency Square Boulevard, and abuts an active business and retail area that is approximately ten miles southwest of Houston’s downtown. The station houses its patrol division, two Narcotics squads, one Investigative First Responder (I.F.R.) squad, and temporary lock up for minor arrests. The building is equipped to maintain operations during natural and man-made disasters. Its public areas include its parking lot and front entrance, reception and reporting area, and community meeting space.
Houston Police Department – Established in 1841, the Houston Police Department enhances the quality of life in the City of Houston by working cooperatively with the public to enforce the laws, preserve the peace, reduce fear and provide for a safe environment. Widely recognized as a pioneer in neighborhood policing, the Houston Police Department works diligently to nurture effective community partnerships while recognizing employees as the department’s most valuable asset.
Project Objectives – In consideration of the core values noted above, the primary audience for the Midwest Police Station project will be the facility’s immediate community and personnel, as well as the wider Houston public. The successful project will employ an integrated approach to the building’s publicly accessible and secure areas.
Special Note - Artistic approaches that creatively mine the department’s history are of especial interest. The Houston Police Museum’s collection, with rich holdings in artifacts and documents, is an available resource.
Submission Instructions – to be considered provide the following:
• Letter of interest and description of method of approach (up to 600 words in Microsoft Word)
• Biographical statement (up to 600 words in Microsoft Word)
• CV (optional)
• Documentation of prior work in up to eight slides (STILL IMAGES ONLY) in a Power Point file (NOT TO EXCEED 2 MB) with image identification noted within slides or on a corresponding list
• Three professional references with contact information
Selection Criteria – submissions will be reviewed for:
• Artistic excellence, innovation, and originality of past work
• Ability to fulfill the project objectives as conveyed in letter of interest
Selection Process – An art selection panel, which will include Houston Police Department and community representatives and an experienced working artist, will review submissions and recommend three finalists to be interviewed in Houston (reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed to finalists who live further than 50 miles from interview location).
Finalists will be contacted in September to schedule interviews. Prior to confirming a date and time for interviews, finalists must confirm willingness to sign the City of Houston Professional Artist Services contract (template is available for review).
The art selection panel will recommend one artist to be contracted; this recommendation requires approval by the Civic Art Committee of the Houston Arts Alliance.
Email submissions to – caroleanne@haatx.com. Receipt of your submission will be confirmed.
Submission Deadline: Monday, August 23, 2010 by midnight CST.
For questions contact:
Carole Anne Meehan, Senior Project Manager and Curator Civic Art + Design, Houston Arts Alliance
713.527.9330 x113 c
aroleanne@haatx.com
www.haatx.com
www.artshound.com
Through the Civic Art + Design Program, the Houston Arts Alliance (HAA) assists with the implementation of Houston's "1.75 percent for art ordinance" through which a portion of eligible capital budgets are dedicated to the integration of art into new or substantially renovated city buildings. HAA is a 501(C) 3 non-profit arts organization with a mission to support and promote artistic life in the Houston region through programs, initiatives and alliances.
To see the original post, please check out the Houston Arts Alliance webpage.
