Request for Proposals
Jones Artist Awards Program at Houston Endowment Inc.
Response Deadline: November 29, 2023
Call Summary
Weingarten Art Group invites artists who live in or are originally from the Greater Houston area to submit artwork for the second year of the Houston Endowment Jones Artist Awards Program. The Program was created by Houston Endowment in 2023 to recognize local artists and reflect the many stories and perspectives of Greater Houston’s residents. Jones Artist Awards recipients receive the opportunity to exhibit their work on a rotating basis in Houston Endowment’s headquarters, along with compensation for the loaned work.
Houston Endowment will host three art exhibitions annually that are curated by Weingarten Art Group. A prime space in the building’s lobby has been set aside for this purpose. The exhibition will be shared through online platforms and seen by visitors to the building throughout the year. The exhibitions are in a private office space and not available for public viewing.
Houston Endowment’s mission is to enhance the vibrancy of Greater Houston and advance equity of opportunity for the people who live here. Houston Endowment has long supported and admired the vibrant arts community in Greater Houston, which celebrates our diversity and strengthens our connections to one another. Houston Endowment views the Program as an extension and component of its mission. The Program will complement HEI’s permanent art collection with a curatorial vision that celebrates acclaimed local artists, lifts emerging artistic talent, and reflects the diverse stories and perspectives of Greater Houston’s people and communities.
Award & Compensation
In 2024, the Jones Artist Awards Program will feature one solo exhibition and two group exhibitions. Up to 4 artists may be selected to participate in the group exhibitions. Payments to artists will range from $4,000 to $12,000, depending on the number of artists and artworks selected. In addition to the loan payments, funds will be available to cover exhibition expenses such as framing, art transport, installation & deinstallation, signage, and professional photo documentation. These expenses will be managed and administered by WAG.
Artworks will be returned to the artist at the end of the exhibition.
Annual Theme
As the Program enters its second year, Weingarten Art Group invites artists to submit artwork that broadly deals with themes of time and memory. Artwork may relate to Greater Houston’s histories, cultures, current events, infrastructure, technology, or natural environment.
Exhibition Location
The exhibition space is approximately 30 ft wide and 11 ft tall. See Resources at the end of this document for site info and dimensions.
Artist Eligibility
This opportunity is open to artists 18 years of age or over who live in or are originally from the Greater Houston area.
The Program will have an emphasis on, but not be exclusive to, early career and underrepresented artists. Artists in Houston Endowment’s permanent collection and/or previous Jones Artist Awards recipients will not be considered.
Artwork Specifications
Artists may submit existing works as well as proposals for new commissions (either for the entire wall or a single artwork).
Due to this year’s schedule, the first exhibition will only include existing works. The second and third exhibitions will consider both existing works and proposals for new commissions.
The following media will be considered:
Paintings, photography, works on paper, sculpture, site-specific multi-media installations, lightworks, painted murals, digital designs that can be printed as vinyl wall covering, and video & new media. For video and new media, a 50” video screen is available. Sound may only play on headphones, also available.
Application Components
- For existing artworks: Submit up to 20 artworks for consideration
- For proposals of new artworks: Submit renderings or preliminary sketches
- Proposals of new work may be for the entire wall or single artworks for a group exhibition
- Artist Statement (300 words maximum) to include:
- Narrative about artist’s practice generally
- Narrative about the artworks or proposals submitted and their relation to the prompt
- Image list including artwork titles, media, date, and dimensions
- Examples of past work (up to 5 most relevant)
- Resume
- Contact Information – current address, phone number, email, website/Instagram
Application materials may only be submitted via the Submittable platform. If applicants encounter any technical issues, please address this with WAG during the period open for questions.
The deadline for questions is November 27, 2023 at 11:59PM and the deadline for submissions is November 29, 2023, at 11:59PM.
Selection Process & Criteria
Each artist proposal will be reviewed by Weingarten Art Group, in consultation with Houston Endowment, and assessed based on the criteria established below.
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Quality of artist statement and its relation to the prompt
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Quality of proposed artwork and its scale, safety, and feasibility for the site
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Artist’s connection to the Greater Houston area
We are committed to a policy of providing opportunities to people regardless of economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, veteran status, or physical ability.
Submission Instructions
Please submit all materials via Submittable at this link.
The deadline for submissions is November 29, 2023, at 11:59PM
Timeline
Dates subject to change
RFP released: October 16, 2023
RFP due: 11:59PM on November 29, 2023
Artists selected & notified: February 16, 2024
Exhibition 1 artwork delivered to WAG: March 4, 2024 (for artworks requiring framing)
Exhibition 1 installation: April 8, 2024
Exhibition 1 opening: April 9, 2024
Exhibition 1 closes: July 8, 2024
*Dates for Exhibitions 2 and 3 to be provided at a later date.
Resources
For Further Information