Call for Designs: 2026 FIFA WC (Midtown)

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 REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

  • Deadline to apply: MON, April 22, 2026 at 11:59PM
  •  Artist/Designer Honorarium: $3,000
  •  Applicant Notification: FRI, May 1, 2026 via email
  •  Questions: opportunity@fresharts.org 

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PROJECT SUMMARY

As Houston and Midtown welcome thousands of national and international visitors for the FIFA World Cup 2026™, many will travel through the heart of the city via the METRO Rail Red Line, with Midtown serving as a central hub within the citywide “Green Corridor” during FIFA.

The Midtown Cultural Arts District and Entertainment District, and funded by the Houston Endowment in cooperation with FIFA World Cup 2026™ is participating in the FIFA World Cup ™ Youth Art for the Green Corridor Project. 

The District invites artists/graphic designers to participate in the creation of two (2) large-scale public art projects based on specific themes that will be displayed in two (2) locations.

Midtown Art Locations

Call for Designs

We are seeking artwork and designs that are thoughtful, creative and celebrate the who we are as Houstonians while incorporating FIFA World Cup 2026 ™ “Green Corridor” elements and student artwork into the design. 

The anchor design is by an 8th grade art student from Forest Brook Middle School. “The Weight of our Waste" A lady of gold holding up the earth with all of her might. The student emphasizes the importance of recycling, taking care of the planet, and informing individuals we can't hold earth to a certain expectation if we don't reciprocate the same.

>> Download Design Here

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.

  • On letter T (use the anchor design provided) and credit Forest Brook Middle School.
  • Create artistic elements inspired by anchor design to fill out remaining letters on the sign wrap.
  • On letter N at the bottom right leg of the letter the #midtownhouston must appear.
  • Somewhere on the artwork #playfortheplanetHTX 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 cost of the sign wrap production, installation, and removal.

Camden McGowen Station Art Windows 

  • Anchor design may be used as part of this design. 
  • Credit Forest Brook Middle School.
  • #midtownhouston and #playfortheplanetHTX must appear on artwork.
  • The artist should include their signature as part of the artwork.
  • Midtown will pay the cost of the sign wrap production, installation, and removal.

Midtown will pay the artist fee total $3,000 for their winning designs and for participation in a professionally recorded interview about their work and inspiration. 

Special Note

Artist / designers must follow the guidelines provided. We strongly recommend site visits to the area to determine the scale and exact location of the projects.

The Midtown Sign Wrap and the Camden McGowen Art windows should inform each other with an understanding that they are part of one 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.

 

Camden McGowen Station Main Street Window Dimensions, Scale and Resolution - Adobe illustrator templates are ready and can be downloaded from the following link:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/18vTJFHneo0gGZvPczFseYJ-koToLsuNs?usp=sharing 

Do not change the size of the template, it is already to scale.  Due to security reasons certain windows at Camden McGowen Station will be wrapped with 3M Vinyl Wrap with a 70:30 opacity. 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.

1. Scale & Resolution

  • Scale: Please design at a 1:1 ratio. (as provided in template) Please DO NOT RESIZE
  • Resolution: Files must be 150 dpi (specifically for rasterized elements, effects, and gradients).

2. File Formats

  • Acceptable: .AI, .PSD, .EPS, or .TIFF.
  • Prohibited: Please do not send files from Canva, Quark, Corel Draw, or Microsoft Office (Word/PowerPoint).

3. Preparation Checklist

  • Fonts: All fonts must be outlined (converted to curves) to avoid substitution errors.
  • Images: Please link or embed all images within the file.
  • Bleeds: Include a bleed of 2" extending past the trim line to prevent white edges during cutting.

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 to Houston Sports Authority or their Board of Directors, Houston Independent School District or their Board of Directors, Forest Brook Middle School, 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 

The funding for 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 and at Camden McGowen Station. 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 

Anchor Design –  "The Weight of our Waste" Colored pencils, mixed media paper, sketch pencil.

Written: Please include with your design a short 250-word bio about the student work. Please include a written document that shares your inspiration and significance of the design

Submissions will be accepted from Wednesday, March 18 through Monday, April 22, 2026. All artists will be notified of their application status on or before Friday, May 1, 2026, by email through the Submittable portal. 

Please note: the selected artist will turnaround and  submit a final print-ready design no later than 3 pm on Tuesday, May 15. 

PROJECT DETAILS

  • What: Large-scale temporary public art displays using 3M vinyl face wrap on the iconic Midtown sign in Bagby Park and Camden McGowan Station (Red Line, Metro Rail) .
  • 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 19, 2026.
  • Where Large-scale temporary public art displays using 3M vinyl face wrap on the iconic Midtown sign in Bagby Park and Camden McGowen Station (Red Line, Metro Rail).
  • Who: This project is coordinated by the Midtown Houston Cultural Arts and Entertainment District and funded by the Houston Endowment.
  • Why: We believe in public art and providing opportunities for artists to work and be seen

Call to Creatives: 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 artwork and designs that are thoughtful, creative  and celebrate the who we are as Houstonians. Jury panels are looking for exceptional quality, uniqueness and standout design elements.

The artwork/design must be original and of the artist/designer’s hand. NO appropriated artwork or designs will knowingly be selected. Artist/designers will be asked to sign a document acknowledging the authenticity of the work. 

ARTIST PARTICIPATION:

The selected artist must be 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.

June TBD  -  Meet the Artist – We want the selected artist to participate in a professionally recorded interview about their work and the inspiration that fueled their design. This interview will be made available on Midtown Houston social media and gifted to the other participating organizations.

 

ADDITIONAL PROJECT INFO:

  • The Midtown Cultural Arts District will cover the entire cost of supplies and labor to install the project.
  • The selected artist will not incur any fees or responsibilities regarding the costs of this major public art installation.
  • Midtown Houston will cover the cost of professional photography, video, marketing, and promotion of the project and the artist.
  • All photography and video funded by Midtown will be the property of the Midtown Management District.

 

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: Upload your proposed sketch or design (up to four attachments). The design does not need to be "print ready".
  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:

  • March 18 - April 22: RFP Application Period (Deadline: April 22nd at 11:59 PM)
  • May 1: Artist notified via Submittable. NOTE: Tight turnaround time (3 business days) to deliver final files. 
  • May 15: 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 20: 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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