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

SUBMIT to Fiscal Sponsorship Application

Before you apply, please read the Fiscal Sponsorship FAQs and schedule a meeting with the Fiscal Sponsorship Coordinator before the 15th of the month by emailing fiscalsponsorship@fresharts.org. Applications have a quarterly deadline on the 1st of February, May, August, and November. Also, note that in order for your application to be reviewed by our committee, you must pay the $25.00 non-refundable application fee. To pay your fee, please visit our payment page.
 

Fiscal sponsorship applications are reviewed quarterly by a committee whose recommendations are subject to approval by the Fresh Arts board of directors. Please allow adequate time for the approval process before beginning to raise funds for your project.

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

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

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SUBMIT to Call for Designs: Midtown Sign to honor PRIDE Month


 


 

 REQUEST FOR DESIGNS

  • Deadline to apply: Thursday, May 15, 2025  at 11:59 PM
  • Artist/Designer Honorarium: $1,500
  • Applicant Notification: May 20, 2025, via email
  • Questions: opportunity@fresharts.org
     

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PROJECT SUMMARY: 

The Midtown Houston Cultural Arts and Entertainment District is seeking local artists and graphic designers to create an original design celebrating Pride Month in Houston, Texas. Pride Month is a time to reflect on legacy, celebrate resilience, and honor the true meaning of freedom — highlighting the enduring leadership and spirit of the LGBTQ+ community.

Artists are invited to submit original designs that align with these themes. The selected design will be featured as a large-scale temporary public art display on the iconic Midtown sign at Bagby Park, printed on a 3M vinyl face wrap.

One artist will be selected to receive a $1,500 honorarium for their winning design and for participating in a professionally recorded interview about their work and inspiration. The interview, tentatively scheduled in June (exact date TBD), will be shared across Midtown Houston’s social media platforms.

Applicants must submit:

  • Artist Bio 
  • Description of design significance/inspiration
  • Up to four sketches of their proposed design
  • Relevant work samples

Submission period: 

  • Tuesday, April 29 – Thursday, May 15, 2025
    All applicants will be notified of their status via email through the Submittable portal by May 20th. The selected artist must submit a final print-ready design by 10:00 PM on Friday, May 23rd.

PROJECT BACKGROUND: 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 original artwork and designs that are thoughtful and creative and celebrate the theme.  Jury panels are looking for exceptional quality, uniqueness, and standout design elements. 

This project is coordinated by the Midtown Houston Cultural Arts and Entertainment District and funded by the Houston Endowment. 


Past Midtown Sign Projects:

ARTIST PARTICIPATION:

The selected artist must be available to participate in an artist’s talk on a date to be determined. On installation day, we encourage you to bring your family, friends, and work associates. There will be professional photography and video of the installation. Please dress in office casual attire.
 

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: Provide your name, email address, and cell phone number. (Your contact information will be hidden from reviewers.)
  2. Artist Bio: Submit a short biography (up to 250 words) about yourself.
  3. Design Description: Explain how your design connects to the project theme. Share your inspiration and the significance behind your design. If your design features people, please identify them and describe their role in the community’s history.
  4. Proposed Design: Upload a sketch or draft of your proposed design (up to four attachments). The design does not need to be print-ready at this stage. If selected, you will have three (3) days from notification to submit a final print-ready design.

     

Relevant Work Samples: Submit up to four (4) images of previous work that represent your artistic style and skill level. Because the selection process is blind, do not include any identifying information (such as your name or social media handle) on your samples.
 

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:

  • Alignment with Theme –  The design should effectively celebrate Pride Month in Houston, Texas — a time to honor legacy, celebrate resilience, and reflect on the true meaning of freedom. Designs should highlight the enduring leadership, strength, and spirit of the LGBTQ+ communit
  • Creativity & Originality – Presents a unique and imaginative interpretation of the theme, offering a fresh perspective.
  • Visual Impact – Bold, engaging, and eye-catching design that ensures high visibility and appeal on the Midtown sign structure.
  • Overall Artistic Excellence – Well-executed design demonstrating strong artistic skill, craftsmanship, and attention to detail.


 

PROJECT TIMELINE:

  • April 29 - May 15: RFP Application Period (Deadline: May 15 at 11:59 PM)
  • May 20: Artist notified via Submittable.
  • May 23: Print-ready design due to printer by 10:00 AM
  • May 30 (TIME TBD): Sign Wrap Installation Day at Bagby Park. We would like the artist to be present. This will be photographed and filmed. 
  • TBD June: Meet the Artist  –We want the selected artist to participate in a professionally recorded  interview at a Midtown business about their work and the inspiration that fueled their design. This interview will be made available on Midtown Houston social media channels.
  • Early to mid July:  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.
  • 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.
     

Midtown will pay the artist fee, and the cost of the sign wrap production, installation, and removal.
 

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 Management 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 


 

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ABOUT MIDTOWN HOUSTON:

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 theState 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. As part of our midtownHOU Arts Micro Grants Program, we have distributed over $100,000 to local artists and arts organizations to bring public art projects to Midtown.


 

Additional information about Midtown Houston

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


 

Fresh Arts