Discovery Green Conservancy is seeking proposals for a temporary outdoor art installation that will captivate and resonate with the park’s diverse audiences. Weingarten Art Group, on behalf of Discovery Green Conservancy, invites artists to propose projects that inspire exploration, magic, and joy in this vibrant urban park – one of Houston’s most beloved public spaces. The selected project will be installed on the Sarofim Picnic Lawn for 4-6 weeks in the Fall of 2025.
Artists or artist teams with experience in outdoor public art are encouraged to apply, with special consideration given to Discovery Green’s Houston-based Art Lab Fellows.
About Discovery Green
Discovery Green is a 12-acre urban park in the heart of Downtown Houston which serves as a village green for the city, a source of health and happiness for its citizens, and a window into the diversity of arts and traditions that enrich life in Houston. The park features sprawling lawns and gardens, a one-acre lake, an interactive fountain, a playground, a majestic canopy of century-old live oak trees, and two on-site restaurants. Operated by the non-profit Discovery Green Conservancy, the park has welcomed more than 30 million visitors since opening in 2008.
Discovery Green is home to permanent artworks including sculptures by Jean Dubuffet, Jim Dine, Margo Sawyer and Doug Hollis. More information about Discovery Green’s permanent artworks is available here.
The park’s public art program regularly brings additional compelling and vibrant art to visitors. Projects have included installations by celebrated artists such as Bruce Munro, Daily tous les jours, Cocolab, Esrawe + Cadena, Hybycozo, and Michael-Craig Martin. More information about previous temporary art installations on view at Discovery Green is available here.
The latest addition to Discovery Green’s art program is Art Lab, launched in Fall 2024. Art Lab is a groundbreaking mentorship program designed to support underrepresented Houston artists with the skills and resources necessary to expand their practices into large-scale, interactive sculptural outdoor public works. More information about Discovery Green’s Art Lab is available here.
Art Objectives
Discovery Green seeks submissions for either existing public art installations that can travel or for proposals of new designs with the following objectives:
- Temporary, interactive art installation that is engaging both day and night
- Foster moments of discovery, joy, and connection for Discovery Green’s diverse audiences, considering all backgrounds, ages, and abilities
- May incorporate light, sound, digital interactivity, or kinetic components to enhance engagement (none required)
- Provide a low-maintenance, durable artwork that does not require 24-hour security, is capable of withstanding typical Houston weather conditions, such as rain and wind gusts up to 70 mph, and is sensitive to the park’s trees and plantings
- Any existing public art installations may not have previously been exhibited in Houston, TX
Art Location
The art will be located on Sarofim Picnic Lawn, a wide-open lawn near the John P. McGovern Playground, the Mist Tree, and the Kinder Large Dog and the Harriet and Joe Foster Dog Runs. The Lawn has one permanent picnic table and borders the Andrea and Bill White Promenade.
- Discovery Green map available here
- Sarofim Lawn site plans available here
- Sarofim Lawn photos available here and here
- 110v/20-amp electrical power is available nearby
Site Guidelines
- Staking is not generally permitted; weighted bases or water barrels are required.
- Generators are not permitted within the park.
- Artwork can be loaded in from vehicles on the White Promenade, adjacent to the Sarofim Lawn.
- Artwork should be wind rated to 70 MPH.
Budget and Scope of Work
The total project budget is $80,000. This encompasses all costs, including those incurred by the artist and by Discovery Green Conservancy as described below. The total amount due to the artist will be determined at the point of contracting.
The artist’s budget will be between $70,000 and $80,000, inclusive of all costs required to fully execute the artwork. This includes design, engineering, fabrication, packing and transport to/from the site, installation and deinstallation under the artist’s supervision (or representative), maintenance, artist travel, meals and accommodations, and insurance.
Discovery Green will provide power and an electrician for on-site connections. These costs must be accounted for in the total project budget. Based on previous projects, these costs typically range from $3,000 to $5,000 but will vary depending on specific project requirements and will be confirmed with Discovery Green before finalizing the contract. Artists should clearly outline anticipated needs for power and lighting in their proposals to assist in accurate budgeting.
Artist eligibility
Artists of diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and practices are strongly encouraged to apply.
- Open to individual artists or artists teams who have successfully completed at least one outdoor public artwork exhibited in a public space.
- Artist or artist team, along with any subcontractors working on-site, must maintain liability and workers’ compensation insurance (as applicable) during the installation period. Detailed insurance requirements will be provided upon contracting.
- Artist (or representative) must supervise the installation and deinstallation process. Additionally, the artist must be available to attend and participate in an opening event in person at Discovery Green.
Special consideration for this opportunity will be given to the two Houston-based Art Lab Fellows participating in the 2024-2025 program, who are not required to meet the requirement of previous public art experience.
Application Requirements
- Resume
- Artist Statement – brief bio and statement about your practice generally (300-word max)
- Proposal(s). Up to three proposals will be considered. For each proposal, please submit the following information:
- Description of proposed artwork(s), including project narrative, audience experience, materials
- Up to eight renderings, photos, drawings, and/or videos
- Proposed site layout, including approximate dimensions
- Power needs, if any
- Proposed installation & deinstallation plan and schedule
- Budget estimates for all costs from design to installation & deinstallation
- Past work examples
- Up to three previous relevant artworks or exhibitions
- For each past work example, please include a short description, exhibition duration, final cost (if applicable), and client / venue name
- Three professional references with name, title, phone number, and email
Application materials may only be submitted via the Submittable platform. If applicants encounter technical issues, please address this with Weingarten Art Group during the period open for questions. The deadline for questions is Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at 5:00 pm, and the deadline for submissions is Friday, February 21, 2025, at 11:59PM.
Selection Process
Submissions will be reviewed by Discovery Green Conservancy staff, its Public Art Committee, and Weingarten Art Group. Selection will be based on the following criteria:
- Quality and relevance of proposed project at Discovery Green
- Demonstrated ability to successfully complete a project based on prior experience
Professional references will be contacted prior to artist notification. The selected artist will be required to enter a written agreement with Discovery Green prior to commencing work.
Discovery Green is 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.
Timeline
*dates subject to change
- RFP released: Monday, December 2, 2024
- Questions due to ady@weingartenartgroup.com: 5:00 PM on Wednesday, February 5, 2025
- Responses provided by: 5:00 PM, Tuesday, February 11, 2025
- RFP due: 11:59 p.m. on Friday, February 21, 2025
- Artist selected and notified: Friday, March 14, 2025
- Exhibition opens and on view for 4-6 weeks: Friday, September 12, 2025
Contact Info
Ady Avivi, Lead Project Manager & Curator
Weingarten Art Group LLC
Lea Weingarten, Principal
Weingarten Art Group LLC