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 Creatives: Design for Midtown Sign to Honor The Roaring 20s


 


 

 REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

  • Deadline to apply: Monday, March 10, 2025  at 11:59 PM
  •  Artist/Designer Honorarium: $1,500
  •  Applicant Notification: March 17, 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 that celebrates the cultural heritage of the historic Roaring Twenties. This decade (1920–1929) was a time of significant social and economic change in America, influencing art, fashion, music, spoken word, and more.

The design should align with the theme "The Roaring Twenties" and encapsulate the artistic and cultural spirit of the era. The selected design will be featured as a large-scale temporary public art display on the iconic Midtown sign in Bagby Park, using a 3M vinyl face wrap.

One artist will be selected to receive a $1,500 honorarium for their winning design and participation in a professionally recorded interview about their work and inspiration. The interview, tentatively scheduled for March 27, will be shared on Midtown Houston's social media platforms.

Applicants must submit:

  • A brief description of your design
  • Up to four sketches of their proposed design
  • Relevant work samples


 

Submission period: 

  • Monday, February 24 – Monday, March 10, 2025
     All applicants will be notified of their status via email through the Submittable portal by March 17. The selected artist must submit a final print-ready design by 5:00 PM on Thursday, March 20.


 

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 artwork and designs that are thoughtful and highlight the historic nature of the project,  we are looking for exceptional quality, uniqueness, and standout design elements.

Past Midtown Sign Projects:


 

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 March 27. The public art installation will be on view through May 1, 2025.
  • Where: The iconic Midtown Sign, located at Bagby Park, 415 Gray Street, Houston, TX 77006.
  • Who: The Midtown Houston Cultural Arts and Entertainment District.


 

ARTIST PARTICIPATION:

The selected artist must be available to participate in an artist’s talk on installation day (March 27th). We encourage you to bring your family, friends, and work associates. There will be professional photography and video of the artist’s talk.


 

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. Description of the Design: Describe how your design aligns with the theme, "The Roaring Twenties" -- encapsulating the era of American art and culture from the 1920s and all that it represents. This artistic design project aims to honor the cultural heritage associated with this historic milestone. The decade from 1920 to 1929 was a period of dramatic social and economic change in America, influencing every aspect of life, including art, fashion, music, spoken word, and more.
  3. Proposed Design: Upload your proposed sketch or design (up to four attachments). The design does not need to be "print ready". The selected artist will be given 3 days from the date of notification to provide the final print-ready design.
  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:

  • Alignment with Theme – Effectively captures the essence of The Roaring Twenties through period-specific elements such as Art Deco influences, jazz culture, fashion, or other defining motifs.
  • 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:

  • Feb 24 - March 10: RFP Application Period (Deadline: March 10 at 11:59 PM)
  • March 17: Artist notified via Submittable.
  • March 20: Print-ready design due to printer.
  • March 27 (TIME TBD): Sign Wrap installation (by 3rd party) and artist talk. The selected artist will participate in a professionally recorded on-site interview about their work and the inspiration that fueled their design.
  • May 1: 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, andthe 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