MOCA seeks artist qualifications for Houston municipal employee memorial

The city of Houston has revealed plans for a public memorial to honor municipal employees who lost their lives in the line of duty. The initiative, managed by the Houston Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs (MOCA) in partnership with Houston Public Works, is inviting artists and artist teams to submit qualifications for designing, fabricating, and installing the memorial. The artist selection process will be overseen by the Houston Arts Alliance (HAA), with a budget of $165,000 set aside for the project.

The release of the Request For Qualifications (RFQ) marks the first step in reviewing proposals for this permanent tribute to municipal workers. According to a press release by the city of Houston, a panel comprising three individuals will select three finalists to develop artistic concepts. The panel will take into account the sensitivity of the site near Buffalo Bayou and local weather conditions. The memorial aims to acknowledge the strength and sacrifice of these workers and will be located in Buffalo Bayou Park. The RFQ is open to artists aged 18 or above residing or working in Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery or Waller counties within the Greater Houston area.

Mayor Sylvester Turner expressed his support for this initiative: "As Mayor, I'm proud to announce a heartfelt initiative spearheaded by Houston Public Works Director Carol Haddock," he said according to a press release by the city of Houston. "This memorial will pay tribute to lives lost by those serving our community symbolizing the dedication City of Houston employees have demonstrated in service to their city and our recognition for their deep sacrifice." Turner added that he hopes this memorial will stand as a beacon recognizing their unwavering commitment and ensuring their legacy lives on.

Houston Public Works is responsible for managing vital tasks for the city including overseeing operation and maintenance of streets and drainage systems; water production and distribution; wastewater collection; treatment processes; permitting; and regulation of public and private construction, as stated on the Houston Public Works website.