HOUSTON — The Houston Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs (MOCA) and the Midtown Cultural Arts and Entertainment District have officially released a Request for Qualifications (RFQs) and Request for Proposals (RFPs) calling artists to participate in the HueMan:Shelter public art project designed to intentionally disrupt the perception of homelessness. Supported by a $1 million grant provided by Bloomberg Philanthropies, the HueMan:Shelter public art project is designed to foster collaboration between local artists and unsheltered individuals.
HueMan:Shelter is a public art project that simultaneously serves as a social awareness campaign bolstering Houston’s successful interventions addressing homelessness by continuing to dispel myths and harmful stereotypes about the unhoused. The project brings art to public spaces while offering employment opportunities to unhoused individuals, teaching these individuals new skills such as site preparation, project management, and maintenance while also connecting participants with support services. Homelessness is a critical issue nationwide, and Houston is making visionary investments to address it with innovative and compassionate solutions.
“This project is another key part of Houston’s strategy to address homelessness in our city,” stated Necole S. Irvin, Director of MOCA. “By bringing together unhoused individuals and local artists to create art that shares personal stories, dismantles implicit biases, provides employment opportunities, and connects these individuals with key support services, we contribute to a more tolerant community while directly supporting vulnerable members of our community.”
Unhoused participants hired for the project will be trained by Career and Recovery Resources (CRR) and receive “on-the-job” training to help them take the first step into economic stability. Through its UpRise Enterprise program, CRR provides paid opportunities for those who’ve faced hardship related to employment, finances, and housing.
Houston is one of eight cities selected from over 150 proposals submitted nationwide, recognized for its commitment to creative collaboration and addressing pressing civic issues through public art. As part of the Bloomberg Philanthropies Public Art Challenge, the initiative invited U.S. mayors, artists, community leaders, and residents to collaborate on temporary public art projects that highlight critical issues and encourage action to address them. Winning cities receive a grant of up to $1 million each and technical support for their projects from Bloomberg Philanthropies.
Cynthia Alvarado, Director of the Midtown Cultural Arts and Entertainment District expressed her enthusiasm for the project stating: “Houston is at the forefront of tackling homelessness with innovative and compassionate approaches. This call for artists underscores our dedication to solutions that not only address challenges but also uplift the voices and dignity of all Houstonians.”
These highly visible outdoor installations will be situated along Milam Street, a major pedestrian corridor in Midtown Houston. Key locations include:
- Bus Stop Shelters: Three bus shelters along METRO Bus Route 82 will feature artwork. This route passes through notable streets such as Milam, Travis, and Elgin, linking neighborhoods including the Fourth Ward, Montrose, Downtown, and Third Ward.
- Large Scale Mural: A mural will be created at 3200 Travis St., near the intersection with Milam and Elgin, adding vibrancy to a central part of Midtown.
- Painted Columns: Artistic enhancements will adorn the columns under the overpasses at Milam and I-45 and Milam and Spur 527, transforming a typically overlooked space into a focal point for community engagement.
The HueMan:Shelter project is a collaborative effort involving the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, Midtown Houston Cultural Arts District, the Coalition for the Homeless of Houston, Career and Recovery Resources, Inc., and METRO Houston. Houston continues its commitment to public art and support of Houston-based artists. The project aligns with Bloomberg Philanthropies’ vision of using public art as a catalyst for economic development and community engagement.
Submission Information
Artists can learn more about the project and apply online by visiting www.huemanshelter.com beginning on Sept. 3, 2024. Artists are invited to submit for the following categories:
- Bus Shelters (3 total installations)
- Large Mural (1 installation)
- Multi-media Underpass (1 installation)
- Underpass (1 installation)
The information session for the categories above will be held virtually on Sept. 19, 2024, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Social Media Storytelling
- Film Storytelling
The information session for the categories above will be held virtually on Oct. 3, 2024, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
For more information and to submit your qualifications, please visit www.huemanshelter.com.
