The City of Houston supports the community’s desire to utilize public space as locations for temporary art installations. Each City Department has discretion and jurisdiction over the review of temporary art placement. The Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs works with all departments and divisions within the City of Houston and any individual or group interested in placing temporary art on City property. Please note that any installation of temporary artwork should not interfere with the regular operations of the space where artwork is being proposed to be installed [i.e. – will not block walk ways on sidewalk, access to public park space, interfere with City employee operations/access to space, etc.].
The City may permit temporary placement of a work of art on City property for a period of time not to exceed 90 days, subject to the approval of the Director of the City Department having jurisdiction over the site upon which the work of art will be placed. The Director may extend the temporary placement for two consecutive periods of time not to exceed 90 days each, for a total of 270 days. Please note that temporary art displays cannot become permanent installations once the permits have expired!
Required Documents to begin application
- Proposal statement [basics of who, what, where, when]
- Visuals of artwork [photos or artistic renderings]
- Aerial view of where on the property artwork is to be installed [clearly marked with box where artwork will be]
- Certificate of insurance of $1,000,000
Upon receipt of application (via application portal below) someone from the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs will reach out to you to discuss next steps. If your project is approved to proceed, you will be required to sign (and have notarized) a standard release form and return to the City of Houston, at which point you will receive the Temporary Art Permit notifying you that you have notice to proceed with your display. Again, per the Civic Art Ordinance, temporary art permits last for 90 days and are eligible for two extensions (totaling 270 days).
Contact Information:
Phone: (832) 393-1099
Email: Cultural.Affairs@houstontx.gov
COMPLETE AND SUBMIT THE FORM BELOW ONLY AFTER YOU HAVE SUBMITTED THE INQUIRY FORM AND YOUR TSCC LOCATION(S) HAVE BEEN APPROVED BY MOCA. (Important: A Submittable account is required to view the form.)
APPLICANT MUST AGREE with the following to complete their application:
- Submit completed TSCC Mural Agreement which applicant received from MOCA after approval of their TSCC location(s)
- Submit renderings of TSCC mural designs which must adhere to the guidelines in the FAQ which can be found here
- Notify and coordinate with the Police Department during the installation of the TSCC mural
- Maintain insurance coverage of professional liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence
- Wear safety vests during the installation process
- Applicant MUST professionally document all sides of the painted cabinets and provide these photographs to the Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs
- Artist(s) MUST submit completed VARA Waiver form that was sent to the applicant when the TSCC location(s) was/were approved by MOCA
- Applicant MUST complete the CLOSE OUT FORM which can be found here
- Applicant MUST maintain the artistic integrity of the box and remedy any damages within 10 business days of notification.
ONLY USE AND SUBMIT this form once your approved TSCC project is complete. (Important: A Submittable account is required to view the form.