Cultural Affairs Office

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Artist rendering of the new North Belt Public Safety Complex, 31,000 square foot facility with shared amenities for both the Houston Police and Fire Departments.

January 7, 2022 -- The City of Houston Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs (MOCA), in collaboration with the Houston Police Department (HPD) and the Houston Fire Department (HFD), has released a request for qualifications for two art pieces that will be displayed at the new North Belt Public Safety Complex.

A first-of-its-kind, the North Belt Public Safety Complex will be a 31,000 square foot facility in the city with shared amenities for both the Houston Police Department and Fire Station No. 84.

Two art pieces will be commissioned for the complex, including a prominently placed exterior 3D artwork and an interior mural. Artists and artist teams residing or working in Texas are encouraged to submit samples of their work for consideration.

Houston Arts Alliance, in collaboration with MOCA, will administer this city-funded public opportunity, which has reserved a budget of $430,000 for both artworks.

“The City’s Civic Art Program ensures the spaces where public service institutions reside are beautiful and representative of the vibrancy of the local communities they serve,” said The Mayor. “The North Belt Public Safety Complex offers a great opportunity for artists to create a welcoming and safe atmosphere for local residents while commemorating the collaboration between the Houston Police Department and the Houston Fire Department through works of art.”

The complex will allow for community relations, HPD patrol, administration, and investigative functions to enhance police services for the four beats adjacent to Beltway 8 on the north side of Houston. The exterior 3D art piece will serve as a welcoming beacon to residents and visitors, located in the front of the complex. The interior mural will reside in the Community Room, facing the main entrance of the building.

“We are enthused at the opportunity to help strengthen the relationships between Houston’s North Belt neighborhoods and those police officers and firefighters who preserve its public safety and wellbeing, through art-making” said Necole S. Irvin, Director of The Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs. “We stand firm in our conviction that art in public spaces can help to nurture strong communities and we're eager to see new artworks installed which welcome community members to the North Belt Safety Complex.”

Applicants must submit required qualifications and artwork samples by the application deadline to be considered for the opportunity. A panel comprised of arts professionals will review qualified submissions to select three artists or teams to compete for the opportunity to develop and present detailed concept designs for the mural project.

Interested artists and artists teams in Texas should submit their qualifications and artwork samples to Houston Arts Alliance, here, by February 14, 2022 at 11:59 PM CST.

About MOCA
The City of Houston Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs guides the City’s cultural investments with policies and initiatives that expand access to arts and cultural programs in the community, attract visitors and leverage private investment. To learn more about the City’s cultural programs, visit www.houstontx.gov/culturalaffairs and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @HoustonMOCA.

About HPD
The mission of the Houston Police Department is to enhance the quality of life in the City of Houston by working cooperatively with the public and within the framework of the U.S. Constitution to enforce the laws, preserve the peace, reduce fear and provide for a safe environment. Through the provision of quality and equitable services, HPD strives to improve the quality of community life and to preserve liberty and justice for all. To learn more about HPD, visit www.houstontx.gov/police/ and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @HoustonPolice.

About HFD
HFD has evolved into a highly sophisticated public safety rescue system that has saved hundreds of lives and reduced the severity of countless injuries and illnesses. The Houston Fire Department has a vision that guides the organization towards excellence through deliberate planning, adaptability and the courage to embrace challenges and opportunities. Its mission is to save lives, protect property, and serve our community with courage, commitment and compassion. To learn more about HFD, visit www.houstontx.gov/fire and follow them on Facebook and Twitter @HoustonFireDept.

About Houston Arts Alliance
Houston Arts Alliance (HAA) is a local arts and culture organization whose principal work is to implement the City of Houston’s vision, values, and goals for its arts grantmaking and civic art investments. HAA also executes privately funded special projects to meet the needs of the arts community, such as disaster preparation, research on the state of the arts in Houston, and temporary public art projects that energize neighborhoods. To learn more about HAA, visit www.houstonartsalliance.com and follow the HAA Facebook & Instagram @HoustonArtsAlliance.