The Houston Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs (MOCA) in partnership with the Midtown Cultural Arts and Entertainment District has launched a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) and Request for Proposals (RFP) for artists to participate in HueMan:Shelter, a public art project that seeks to disrupt the perception of homelessness.
HueMan:Shelter
HueMan:Shelter is supported by a $1 million grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies, a nonprofit organization that supports public health, the environment, education, government innovation, and the arts. In 2023, Bloomberg Philanthropies selected Houston as one of eight cities, from over 150 proposals, for its Public Art Challenge. Launched in 2014, the Public Art Challenge engages mayors of U.S. cities with 30,000 residents or more. The challenge is not an annual program, rather this iteration marks the third occurrence. In 2022, cities were invited to apply, last year selected cities were announced, and this year programs begin to go into effect.
Beyond the function of public art, HueMan:Shelter is intended as a social awareness campaign that strives to dispel myths and stereotypes about people who are unhoused. The project will create employment opportunities for unhoused individuals where they can learn new skills and get connected to support services.
In a press release, Necole S. Irvin, the Director of MOCA, stated, “This project is another key part of Houston’s strategy to address homelessness in our city. 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.”
HueMan:Shelter projects will be located along Milam Street, a pedestrian corridor in Houston’s Midtown neighborhood. Specific locations include three bus shelters along METRO Bus Route 82, a large-scale mural at 3200 Travis Street, and painted columns under the overpasses at Milam and I-45 and Milam and Spur 527. Each project has its own RFQ with different deadlines. Also, note that the available funds vary from $45,000 to $90,000. Additionally, there is an RFP that seeks an evaluator to determine the impact of the project at both a local and national level.
Learn more about this project and find the RFQs and RFP at the HueMan:Shelter website.
