Call for Artist Proposals:

[Mitch Cohen]

Hi ya - here's the skinny:

An open call for local artist submissions from The Ion. Local artists or artist teams are invited to submit proposals to design The Ion’s two prominent display windows that face Fannin and Main Streets.  Two artists/teams will be selected to create site-specific installations for each showcase window to be displayed in six-month rotations.

Commission budget is $20,000 per window display inclusive of all work including, but not limited to, artists’ fees, final design, wall prep, engineering, permitting, insurance costs for the project, lighting (if necessary), software, studio and project administration, travel, fabrication, all materials, installation, de-installation, maintenance and required documentation.

 

The deadline to submit is Friday, October 1 at 5 PM. Submissions are made via http://publicartist.org.

Images of the display windows and of The Ion exterior (courtesy of The Ion) may be found here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/33c213u23e6qpnu/AABjVByrMVgEUyDQ7ELVDxhma?dl=0

Below is the full press release ...

Cheers!

Mitch

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THE ION ISSUES CALL FOR LOCAL ARTISTS TO SUBMIT DESIGN PROPOSALS FOR ROTATING DISPLAYS AT HOUSTON INNOVATION COMMUNITY HUB

HOUSTON-BASED ARTISTS ARE INVITED TO SUBMIT CONCEPTS FOR TWO SHOWCASE DISPLAY WINDOWS

HOUSTON, TX (SEPTEMBER 15, 2021) – The Ion (4201 Main Street, Houston, TX 77004) and Rice Management Company have issued a call for qualifications and preliminary installation proposals from local artists or artist teams for two prominent display windows located at The Ion, the newly renovated historic Sears building and hub of Houston’s innovation economy. Two artists/teams will be selected to create site-specific installations for each showcase window to be displayed in six-month rotations.

As it begins to cultivate an artistic identity that will support local talent and serve as a visual expression of inspiration to support its mission, The Ion is enlisting Houston-based artists to apply their talents to site-specific art installations for two highly visible display windows facing Fannin and Main streets that will engage and attract visitors from the community and beyond.

“As a nexus for creativity of many different kinds, The Ion welcomes Houston’s talented artists to tap into their unique skill sets and diverse backgrounds to submit inventive proposals that will ultimately comprise two different art installations. Each installation will contribute to Houston’s innovation ecosystem by inspiring the growing community of creators who will see the building’s display windows on a daily basis,” emphasized Artistic Consultant Piper Faust.

Each installation will be on display for six months according to the following exhibition schedule, which is subject to change:

Fannin Window Installation 1: February – August 2022

Main Street Window Installation 1: February – August 2022

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 for the context of The Ion District. Power and lighting are available in the displays.

Elevations, dimensions and site images can be found here.

The criteria and how to apply is as follows:

Budget

Commission budget is $20,000 per window display inclusive of all work including, but not limited to, artists’ fees, final design, wall prep, engineering, permitting, insurance costs for the project, lighting (if necessary), software, studio and project administration, travel, fabrication, all materials, installation, de-installation, maintenance and required documentation.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Criteria

• Artwork should consider The Ion and The Ion District’s vision and mission of accelerating innovation, connecting communities and facilitating partnerships to create growth and opportunity in Houston.

• Artworks should be sensitive and/or responsive to the diverse history, culture, and identity of the surrounding community.

• Artworks should invite passersby to pause, reflect, play and engage in unexpected and innovative ways. Thinking outside the box (figurately and literally) is encouraged.

• Artworks must be family friendly, suitable for public display, and free of safety hazards.

• Artworks should be resistant to graffiti and vandalism and require minimal maintenance.

  Eligibility

  Open to all artists and artist-teams over 18 years of age residing and working the Greater Houston Area, which encompasses Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Brazoria, Galveston, Liberty, Waller, Chambers and Austin counties. The 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
  Please submit the following to http://publicartist.org by Friday, October 1, 5:00pm:

  1. Resume or CV (2 pages max)
  2. Up to 5 digital images of past work demonstrating ability to complete the project.
  3. A brief artist statement highlighting your practice (300 words max).
  4. A letter of intent describing a method of approach, which may include a narrative,
  suggested materials, installation details and any other relevant information. Include up to 5 sketches, mock-ups, illustrations, or other reference images demonstrating your preliminary design concept (PDF upload).
  5. Two (2) academic or professional references

  Selection Process

• Piper Faust Public Art, Rice Management Company and The Ion District Art Advisory Council consisting of art experts, community members and stakeholders will review the applications. The Ion Art Advisory Council consists of the following individuals:

  • Michelle Barnes, Executive Director/Co-Founder, Community Artist Collective
  • Robert Hodge, Interdisciplinary Artist
  • Marsha Dorsey-Outlaw, Artist
  • Theresa Escobedo, Program Manager, Civic Art, Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs • Kerry Inman and Frank Spicer, Inman Gallery

  • Ylinka Barotto, Associate Curator, Moody Center for the Arts

  • Janice Bond, Cultural Architect, Art Advisor and Interdisciplinary Artist

• Two artists will be awarded the commission.

  Contracting

  The final commissions for this project will be a professional services contract with Rice Management Company. The selected artists must be able and willing to sign the contract for design and commission and will be provided the draft for review.

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THE ION CALL FOR ARTISTS / PAGE 2

About The Ion

The Ion anchors a 16-acre innovation district and is destined to become the epicenter for Houston's innovation ecosystem as an inclusive, dynamic, vibrant and dense hub focusing on quality collaborations between entrepreneurs, incubators, accelerators, corporations, academics, and the Houston community. The 266,000-square-foot building accommodates multiple uses, including class-A office space, shared workspace, prototyping and maker resources, event space, classrooms, food and beverage offerings as well as indoor/outdoor communal areas with shared amenities. For more information, please visit https://ionhouston.com/.