Call for Concepts: 2026 Summer Sign Wrap (Midtown)

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 REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

  • Deadline to apply: MON, May 18, 2026 at 11:59PM
  •  Artist/Designer Honorarium: $1,500
  •  Applicant Notification: WED, May 20, 2026 via email
  •  Questions: opportunity@fresharts.org 

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PROJECT SUMMARY

This summer Houston and Midtown will welcome thousands of national and international visitors. Many will travel through the heart of the city. The Midtown Cultural Arts District and Entertainment District invites artists/graphic designers to participate in the creation of a large-scale public art project based on specific themes that will be displayed in Bagby Park.

Midtown Art Location

The iconic Midtown Sign located on the stage at 415 Gray Street in Bagby Park.

Call for Proposals / Concepts

Let’s show the expected 500,000 visitors to Houston this summer that we are a canvas for the city. Murals, music, markets — Midtown is where creativity is constant, and where every event feels like a block party. From yoga in the park to kids chasing bubbles on Saturdays, we make space to breathe. Our parks and public spaces are for play, rest, and real connection. Midtown’s history lives in more than just its buildings. You’ll find it in the names we remember, the murals we paint, the stories we pass down, and the spaces we gather in. Every celebration, every landmark, each blue and white tiled street name, every sidewalk carries a thread of the past — woven into the future we’re shaping, together. Thinking about who we are as a community located in the heart of the city, we are seeking designs that are thoughtful, creative and celebrate the life in Midtown Houston and the 713!  

Midtown Sign Wrap at Bagby Park 

Please note the Midtown Logo should be situated as the dot of the letter “I”. The logo will not be covered with any artwork, and it should not be included as part of the artwork or wrap process.

  • Create artistic elements inspired by Midtown and Houston.
  • On letter N at the bottom right leg of the letter the #midtownhouston must appear.
  • The artist should include their signature as part of the artwork.
  • Include a border edge around each designed letter that compliments the artwork.

Midtown will pay the artist fee total $1,500 for their winning designs. We will cover the cost of professional photography, and a professionally recorded artist interview about their work and inspiration. Marketing package value: $2,500

Special Note

Artists / designers follow the guidelines provided. We strongly recommend a site visit to the area to determine the scale and exact location of the project.

Detailed Parameters

The Midtown letters sign wrap is 3M Vinyl Wrap. It is a full color digital printed produced with OEM Mimaki Inks with True Solvent UV nonfading inks 3M IJ180-V3 with 3M Matching Lamination ControlTac Technology. This will be professionally installed by certified technicians.

Midtown Sign Dimensions, Scale and Resolution

SIGN DIMENSIONS: The attached template is for artists to use to create designs on the midtown sign. Do not change the size of the template, it is already to scale.

The sign consists of the word “midtown” in metal/ steel lowercase letters that are approximately 8 feet tall and span approximately 81 ft across a raised concrete stage. There are multi-color LED lights below each letter, that are turned on nightly. 

We encourage you to do a site visit and view past installations for an understanding of the size and scale of the project.

 DESIGN TIP: The best design fits on the letters. Keep that in mind when designing the artwork.

If you are selected you will be asked to provide a low-resolution PDF or JPG proof alongside the final high-resolution print files.

Eligibility

  • Age 18 or older
  • Eligible to work in the United States
  • Local Houston artists / graphic designers are eligible to apply
  • Candidates are eligible regardless of race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender identification, military status, sexual orientation, marital status, or physical ability.
  • Neither Board Members nor family members of the Midtown Management District, the Midtown Cultural Arts and Entertainment District, the Midtown Redevelopment Authority, TIRZ #2 or the Midtown Parks Conservancy are eligible to apply. Additionally, employees or family members related Arts District (Fresh Arts) or their Board of Directors; Got Signs -by Xtickers Designs Inc.– employees or family members are also NOT eligible to apply.

WHAT MAY NOT BE FUNDED 

This project is made possible by the Midtown Cultural Arts District with funding provided by The Houston Endowment. This project is to take place in the Midtown Houston community at Bagby Park. It may not be virtual in nature. This project may not include obscene or profane material as defined in Section 43.21, Penal Code of Texas. https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/PE/htm/PE.43.htm 

Attached: Additional information 

Written: Please include a written document that shares your inspiration and significance of the design

Submissions will be accepted through Monday, May 18, 2026. All artists will be notified of their application status on or before Wednesday, May 20, 2026, by email through the Submittable portal. From May 20 - May 27 the concept will become a final design.

Please note: the selected artist will turnaround and  submit a final print-ready design no later than 3 pm on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. 

PROJECT DETAILS

  • What: Large-scale temporary public art display using 3M vinyl face wrap on the iconic Midtown sign in Bagby Park.
  • When: The sign wrap will be printed and installed by a third party on June 2, 2026. The public art installation will be on view through July 31, 2026.
  • Where The iconic Midtown sign in Bagby Park
  • Who: This project is coordinated by the Midtown Houston Cultural Arts and Entertainment District.
  • Why: We believe in public art and providing opportunities for artists to work and be seen

Call to Creatives for Concepts: Since 2022 the Midtown Cultural Arts and Entertainment District has invited artists/graphic designers to participate in the creation of a large-scale public art project based on specific themes. We are seeking concepts for artwork and designs that are thoughtful, creative  and celebrate the who we are as Houstonians. 

Concepts should include:

  • A concept statement.
  • A clear focused direction in the way you want the final artwork to appear.
  • A color palate.
  • Visual references are helpful.
  • Mood board / sketches that illustrate the intended atmosphere.

The final artwork/design must be original and of the artist/designer’s hand. NO appropriated artwork or designs will knowingly be selected. 

ARTIST PARTICIPATION:

We hope the selected artist is available to participate in an artist’s talk on installation day (June 2nd). We encourage you to bring your family, friends, and work associates. There will be professional photography and video of the artist’s talk. If not we do want to film a Meet the Artist video at a later date–This interview will be made available on Midtown Houston social media and shared with the artis.

 ADDITIONAL PROJECT INFO:

  • Midtown Houston will cover the cost of professional photography, video, marketing, and promotion of the project and the artist.

 APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

  1. Contact Information: Required information includes name, email address, and cell phone (hidden from reviewers).
  2. Letter of Interest: Describe your interest in this project and how your design honors this artist call. 
  3. Proposed Design: You may upload your proposed sketch or design (up to four attachments). The design does not need to be "print ready". We understand this is an idea / concept.
  4. Relevant Work Samples: Up to four (4) images of prior works that demonstrate your artistic style and the caliber of your work. Due to the blind voting process, please avoid including any identifying information such as name or handle.

 REVIEW PROCESS + SELECTION CRITERIA:

Applications will be reviewed by an independent panel, which will include Midtown Houston representatives, and selected through a blind voting process. Selections will be based on the following criteria:

  • Project Alignment: The letter of intent and proposed design clearly communicate the artist’s interest in the project and align with the overall goals of the project.
  • Artistic Excellence: Submitted images demonstrate the caliber of the artist(s) previous work and artistic style.

PROJECT TIMELINE:

  • April 8 - May 18: RFP Application Period (Deadline: May 18 at 11:59 PM)
  • May 20: Artist notified via Submittable. NOTE: Tight turnaround time (5 business days) to deliver final files. 
  • May 27: Print-ready design due to printer.
  • June 2 (TIME TBD): Sign Wrap installation (by 3rd party) and artist talk. The selected artist may participate in a professionally recorded on-site interview about their work and the inspiration behind it.
  • July 31: Sign Wrap removed by a 3rd party.

TECHNICAL DETAILS:

Acceptable design files for the application process include PDF and JPEG; however, the final design must be provided in high-resolution format (PDF, AI, PSD, EPS, TIFF). The selected artist will be given approximately one week from the date of notification to provide the final print-ready design. Additional technical requirements will be provided to the artist upon selection.

 

ABOUT MIDTOWN HOUSTON: 

Midtown Houston is where creativity, culture, and community converge in the heart of the city. Designated as a Cultural Arts and Entertainment District by the Texas Commission on the Arts in 2012, Midtown has blossomed into a vibrant, walkable neighborhood known for its iconic cultural landmarks, six lush parks, and more than 90 arts organizations. From local galleries to sidewalk festivals, the arts aren’t just a feature of Midtown—they’re part of the fabric. Through the midtownHOU Arts Micro Grants Program, we’ve proudly invested over $100,000 into local artists and arts organizations, bringing bold public art and creative placemaking projects to life across the district. Whether you're here to explore, create, or connect, Midtown Houston is a place that celebrates expression, champions diversity, and always makes space for every voice in our evolving story.

Additional Information About Midtown Houston:

Questions regarding this application should be directed to Fresh Arts at opportunity@fresharts.org

 

We use Submittable to accept and review our submissions.

We use Submittable to accept and review our submissions.
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