Fresh Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering Houston artists with opportunities to build knowledge, amplify resources, and connect communities.

Ends on
SUBMIT to Call for Creatives: Design for Midtown Outdoor Art Gallery Banner Program 2026

Midtown Banner Program | Round 1: Concept Phase

Open to: Houston-based Individual Artists 

Deadline:  April 20, 2026, by 11:59 PM

Up to 42 designs will be selected

Artist Support + Award: 

  •  $150 honorarium per selected design
  •  Professional photography and video
  •  Participation in a “Meet the Artist” feature

 

SUMMARY

The Midtown Cultural Arts District is launching an open call for Houston-based artists and designers to create original concepts for its 2026 Midtown Outdoor Art Gallery Banner Program. This initiative transforms Midtown into a vibrant, temporary outdoor gallery by displaying artist-designed banners along key corridors throughout the district.

Artists are invited to submit up to four written concept proposals that reflect Midtown’s identity as a dynamic, walkable, and culturally rich urban community. Concepts should incorporate bold visuals, vibrant color palettes, and themes that celebrate local history, community connection, seasonal moments, and public life in Midtown.

The selection process includes two rounds:

  • Round 1 (Concept Phase): Artists submit written concepts (March 23 – April 20)
  • Round 2 (Design Phase): Selected artists develop final, print-ready designs (April 23 – April 29)

 

Final designs will be reviewed by the Midtown Board of Directors, with fabrication and installation taking place from May through July 2026. Installed banners will be featured across the district, with artists invited to attend and participate in documentation.

 

Selected artists will receive:

  • A $150 honorarium per selected design
  • Professional photography and video documentation
  • Participation in a filmed “Meet the Artist” feature promoted by Midtown

Midtown will cover all production, installation, and marketing costs. Final artwork will become the property of Midtown Houston for ongoing use and promotion.

This opportunity is open to Houston-based artists and designers (18+) and aims to celebrate the city’s creative community while enhancing Midtown’s public spaces through accessible, artist-driven placemaking.

 

About Midtown Houston + Banner District:

Midtown Houston is a bustling inner-city community with prominent cultural landmarks, with vibrant walkable neighborhoods.  Midtown received a Cultural Arts and Entertainment District designation from State of Texas Commission on the Arts in 2012. Since that time, we have experienced exponential growth in our business, residential and cultural arts community with more than 90 arts organizations and four parks, we truly are the center of it all. We have distributed $120,000 as part of our midtownHOU Arts Micro Grants Program to local artists and arts organizations. This year we are celebrating 13 years of bringing public art to Houston.

 

Midtown Banner District: Midtown is a designated City of Houston as a Banner District, which gives us the opportunity to create an Outdoor Art Gallery 

What is a Banner District? A banner district is a designated geographic area within the city where a specific type of banner signage is permitted. These banners serve as identification for the district itself along its major corridors. 

Purpose : Banners must be:

  • for noncommercial nonpolitical purposes.
  • shall use a word or words only as a part of an artistic composition.
  • Banners are not meant to be used as an advertisement of a business, a product or other private or personal message. 

 

PROJECT OVERVIEW

What  Banners will be considered for temporary public Outdoor Art Gallery display. Banners will be single, vertical, double-sided images, with one banner displayed per light pole. Banner size is 2 ft x 4 ft (24” x 48”).

When  These are temporary public art installations that will be placed to highlight the community or as a seasonal display.

Where  Banners will be installed in various locations throughout the district.

Who  This project is funded by the Midtown Management District committees: Urban Planning, Cultural Arts, Economic Development, and Marketing.

Why  This artistic design project highlights seasonal moments and the urban nature of the community while enhancing Midtown’s artistic, placemaking, and economic development efforts.

Project Support  Midtown Cultural Arts District will cover the cost of supplies and labor to install and maintain the project. Artists/designers will be selected by a panel of judges familiar with the community. Midtown will also provide professional photography and video, as well as marketing and promotion of both the project and selected artists.

All photography and video produced will be the property of the Midtown Management District.

Brand Concepts  Concepts should reflect Midtown’s identity, including:

  • An urban, vibrant community that supports culture, public art, green space, and creative expression
  • A historic neighborhood rooted in Third and Fourth Wards that continues to evolve
  • A welcoming, connected place where residents, businesses, and visitors can thrive    

Project Goals  Based on submitted concepts, this project will select artists/designers to create final banner designs for an Outdoor Art Gallery displayed on light poles throughout Midtown. The goal is to engage the community and visitors, celebrate local culture and history, and highlight seasonal themes.

 

Concept Submission Guidelines  Artists/designers may submit up to four written conceptual ideas. Please include color palettes in your descriptions and/or work samples. Consider the following:

  • Create a cohesive story that resonates with Midtown
  • Use visually striking imagery
  • Incorporate vibrant colors and bold designs
  • Reference local landmarks and community identity
  • Highlight seasonal or holiday themes    

Artists selected through a blind review process will be invited to submit final, high-resolution, print-ready designs. Templates and specifications will be provided. Artists are encouraged to visit the district to better understand the scale and context of the project.

 

REQUIREMENTS 

Final banner artwork/designs will become the intellectual and artistic property of Midtown. Banners will be printed multiple times, rotated throughout the district, and may be shared digitally.

Selected artists/designers will be required to provide:

  • An artist/designer bio
  • A statement describing the meaning of the design
  • A W-9
  • A signed agreement granting Midtown usage rights
  • Participation in professional photography and video documentation    

Artists must also participate in a filmed “Meet the Artist” interview. Details will be provided, and artists are encouraged to invite their community. The final video and related media will be shared on Midtown’s social channels and will remain the property of the Midtown Management District.

 

TIMELINE:

  • Monday, April 20 – Deadline to submit concepts
  • Tuesday, April 21 – Concepts shared with Cultural Arts Committee
  • Wednesday, April 22 – Review concepts and select artists to advance to Round 2
  • April 23 – April 29 – Round 2 design development period
  • Wednesday, April 29 – Final high-resolution, print-ready designs due
  • May 6 – Designs shared with Board of Directors
  • May 8 – July 22 – Fabrication, installation, and logistics
  • Installation Period – Banner installations at various locations; artist presence encouraged (photography and video documentation will take place)

TBD – Meet the Artist: Selected artists will participate in a professionally recorded interview at a Midtown business, sharing their work and inspiration. This content will be featured on Midtown Houston’s social media channels.

 

ELIGIBILITY:

  • Age 18 or older
  • Eligible to work in the United States
  • Local Houston artists or 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.
  • The artistic work or design must be your original work. You may not submit other people’s work.
  • Neither Board Members or 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 Arts District (Fresh Arts) or their Board of Directors.

 

WHAT MAY NOT BE FUNDED - The funding for this project is made possible by the Midtown Management District and the Midtown Cultural Arts District. 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 

 

Additional information about Midtown Houston

 

SELECTION + DESIGN PROCESS:

Round 1: Concept Phase   Applications will be reviewed by an independent panel of arts professionals, community members, and cultural partners. Final selections will be made through a juried process. Applicants advancing to the next stage will be invited to submit full sketches and renderings of their proposed designs. A total of 42 designs will be selected.

 Round 2: Design Phase (April 23 – April 29)  Selected artists will develop final, print-ready designs.  

Selection criteria include:

  • Artistic Quality and Creativity
  • Alignment with Midtown Identity
  • Clarity of Concept
  • Visual Feasibility for Banner Design
  • Community Relevance

 

Please note, that Fresh Arts is facilitating this call on behalf of Midtown. For all application questions contact: csnipe@midtownhouston.com

 

SUBMIT to Fresh Arts Fiscal Sponsorship Application

Fiscal Sponsorship Applications – Currently Closed

Applications are temporarily being accepted on a case-by-case basis; however, only pre-approved projects that have met with our team may submit an application.

 

Before You Apply  Please review the Fiscal Sponsorship FAQs and schedule a meeting with the Fiscal Sponsorship Coordinator (by emailing fiscalsponsorship@fresharts.org) before the 15th of the month. Applications are accepted on a quarterly basis with deadlines on February 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1.

A $25 non-refundable application fee is required for your application to be reviewed. You can pay the fee through our portal https://fresharts.app.neoncrm.com/campaigns/fiscal-sponsorship-application-fee

Application Review Process  Fiscal sponsorship applications are reviewed quarterly by a committee, with final recommendations subject to approval by the Fresh Arts Board of Directors. Please allow sufficient time for this approval process before you begin fundraising for your project.

If you already have a budget, mission statement, and project description prepared, the application should take approximately 30–45 minutes to complete. Click here to download a budget template for your application

Important Note  Fresh Arts is a small organization with limited capacity to support fiscally sponsored projects. If our program reaches capacity, we reserve the right to decline otherwise eligible applications or temporarily close the application process.

Questions:  fiscalsponsorship@fresharts.org

Ends on
SUBMIT to Call for Designs: 2026 AAPI Month (Midtown)

 

 

 REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

  • Deadline to apply: TUE, April 14, 2026  at 11:59PM
  •  Artist/Designer Honorarium: $1,500
  •  Applicant Notification: MON, April 20, 2026 via email
  •  Questions: opportunity@fresharts.org 

____________________   

PROJECT SUMMARY:

The Midtown Houston Cultural Arts and Entertainment District is seeking local artists and graphic designers to create an original and uniquely inspired design that honors May for the month-long celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage, one of our most dynamic and inspiring cultures. 

Share with us your design that highlights the impact of the deep history and art that this community has on Houston. 

The selected design will be used to create a large-scale temporary public art display using 3M vinyl face wrap on the iconic Midtown sign located in Bagby Park (415 Gray Street) .      

One selected artist will receive a $1,500 honorarium for their winning design and participation in a professionally recorded interview about their work and inspiration. 

Applicants should include with an original design and a short 250-word artist bio. Also include a written document that shares your inspiration and significance of the design. If there are people on the sign, please identify them and their part in the history of the community. 

Submissions will be accepted from Monday, March 2 through Tuesday, April 14, 2026. All artists will be notified of their application status on or before Monday, April 20, 2026, by email through the Submittable portal. 

Please note: the selected artist will have a tight turnaround time to submit a final print-ready design no later than 3 pm on Wednesday, April 22. 

 

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 May 1, 2026. The public art installation will be on view through June 2, 2026.
  • Where: The iconic Midtown Sign, located at Bagby Park, 415 Gray Street, Houston, TX 77006.
  • 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 (May 1st). We encourage you to bring your family, friends, and work associates. There will be professional photography and video of the artist’s talk.

April/May 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 2 - April 14: RFP Application Period (Deadline: April 14th at 11:59 PM)
  • April 20: Artist notified via Submittable. NOTE: Tight turnaround time (3 business days) to deliver final files. 
  • April 22: Print-ready design due to printer.
  • May 1 (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.
  • June 2: Sign Wrap removed by a 3rd party.

 

TECHNICAL DETAILS:

The sign wrap will be installed by Got Signs by Xtickers Designs, Inc. The Midtown letters face wrap is 3M Vinyl Wrap. It is a full color digital print produced with OEM Mimaki Inks with True Solvent UV non fading inks 3M IJ180-V3 with 3M Matching Lamination ControlTac Technology. This will be professionally installed by certified technicians.

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.

 

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.

 

DESIGN REQUIREMENTS:

  • Please note the Midtown logo above the letter “i’” will not be covered with any artwork and it should not be included as part of the artwork or wrap process.
  • On the letter “n” at the bottom right leg of the letter the #midtownhouston must appear.
  • The artist must include their signature on their work.
  • The artist should include a border edge around each designed letter that compliments the artwork.
  • Midtown will pay the artist fee ($1,500). Midtown will pay the cost of the sign wrap production, installation, and removal. 
  • We will include a QR Code on the bottom right leg of the letter “n”, the QR Code will link to the artist’s website which will include an artist’s bio, the artistic statement about the meaning of the sign, what the images on the sign represent and a short paragraph of information about the Midtown Cultural Arts District.      

ELIGIBILITY:

  • Age 18 or older
  • Eligible to work in the United States
  • Local Houston-area artists and or 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.
  • The artistic work or design must be your original work. You may not submit other people’s work or design.
  • One design per artist or designer please. If we receive more than one application all applications will be removed.
  • Neither Board Members or 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 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. 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 

 

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

 

Fresh Arts