Title | RFQ for Greater Houston Area Artists: Window Installations |
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Organization | Ion Houston |
Closing Date | Wednesday, February 19, 2025 |
Location | Houston, TX |
Information | REQUEST FOR PRELIMINARY PROPOSALS Artwork Commission Budget: $15,000 per commission (2 total awarded) Ion, Rice Real Estate Company and Ion Prototyping Lab (IPL) invite artists to submit qualifications and preliminary installation proposals for the Eye On Art x IPL collaboration. This is an opportunity for artists to partner on ideating, fabricating, and realizing a concept through mentorship with the prototyping lab onsite at the Ion. Our goal is to provide artists with the support and resources to develop new skills that help them take their practice to the next level. The collaborative installations will be displayed in windows located at the Ion, the renovated historic Sears building that is the hub of Houston’s innovation community. Two artists/teams will be selected to work directly with IPL to conceptualize and realize site-specific installations in each of the display window banks to be exhibited for six months. Scope of Work Fannin Window Installation 1: September 2025 – April 2026 Interdisciplinary teams, innovative partnerships, new media, digital art, and interactive installation concepts are all encouraged and welcome. Each art installation must be site-specific and created in partnership with IPL for the context of Ion District. Power and lighting are available in the displays. Elevations, dimensions, and site images can be found here. *Note: While the mentorship and resources from IPL are intended to be valuable, the core concept and execution of the installation or project should stand on its own. IPL’s support is meant to enhance the artist’s vision, and integrating IPL’s resources in meaningful ways is encouraged. However, the artist should remain the primary creator and leader of the work. The project should be self-sufficient and not reliant on this partnership to succeed. This ensures the work remains authentic, sustainable, and capable of thriving beyond IPL’s involvement. Budget The artist will not be responsible for IPL’s consultation or use of equipment. Criteria Eligibility Ion District is committed to providing opportunities that advance Houston’s economy by not only seeking to involve local businesses but also those who are racially and ethnically underrepresented. Creatives and artists are a vital part of a complete community, and it is our goal to foster inclusivity and diversity with all our partners. We encourage non-local applicants to team with local partners whenever possible. Application Requirements Selection Process Contracting Timeline About Ion District is a new kind of urban district to Houston initiated by Rice Real Estate Company that prioritizes street life, public space, and a mix of uses that embrace technology, community, and sustainability. It is centrally located at the heart of innovation activity in Houston, encompassing over 16 acres in the Midtown. At the center of the district is the Ion, a 266,000-square foot structure designed to bring Houston’s entrepreneurial, corporate, and academic communities together into collaborative spaces and programs. The “Eye On Art” program pays homage to the original department window store displays of the beloved Sears building on which Ion was built by engaging local artists to create site-specific art installations. Strategically placed as the entry points and eyes of the building, the two highly visible display windows facing Fannin and Main Streets serve as beacons to draw the community in. The display windows are a unique opportunity to reimagine Sears’ store windows and build on the collective memory of the space’s past, present, and future through the lens of artistic and creative expression. Ion is committed to creating opportunities for Houston-based artists by providing long-term platforms to create, innovate, and collaborate. Contact |
Website | http://publicartist.org |