Cultural Affairs Office

Press and Communications

Future site of the Civilian Worker’s Memorial at Buffalo Bayou Park

December 15, 2023 -- The Houston Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs (MOCA), on behalf of Houston Public Works, is requesting submissions of qualifications from artists and artist teams to design, fabricate, and install a public memorial in honor of City of Houston municipal employees who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

The Request for Qualifications (RFQ) is open to all artists and artist teams over 18 years old, living or working in the Greater Houston area: Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, or Waller counties.

“As Mayor, I'm proud to announce a heartfelt initiative, spear-headed by Houston Public Works Director Carol Haddock, to honor the service and sacrifice of our municipal workers. This memorial will pay tribute to the 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,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner. “Let this memorial stand as a beacon, recognizing their unwavering commitment and ensuring their legacy lives on.”

The work that City of Houston employees engage in can be hazardous, at times, and as such there are employees of the city who have lost their lives in the line of civic duty who remain to be recognized. The memorial effort is intended to highlight these municipal workers, celebrate their strength, recognize their sacrifice, and to honor their lives for posterity. Upon completion, the artwork will reside in Buffalo Bayou Park, north of Buffalo Bayou.

The release of the RFQ is the first step among many in reviewing proposals for this permanent, site-specific commission. Through an evaluation by a three-person panel of artists and arts professionals, the RFQ phase of artist selection will determine three finalists who will develop artistic concepts for panelist consideration. Even at this early stage, artists are encouraged to keep in mind the sensitive nature of the site for artwork, near the banks of the Buffalo Bayou, and the unpredictable weather and environmental conditions prevalent in Houston, season to season.

With support from MOCA, Houston Arts Alliance (HAA), will manage the artist selection process for this investment in public art, which has a reserved budget of $165,000. For this effort, HAA continues its support for artist applicants speaking Spanish.

Interested artists and artists teams should submit their qualifications and artwork samples to HAA, by Monday, February 5, 2024, at 5:00 pm.

Asistencia en Español es disponible.

About the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs
The City of Houston Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs (MOCA) 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. Learn more at www.houstontx.gov/culturalaffairs and follow us on Facebook & Instagram @HoustonMOCA.

About Houston Public Works
Houston Public Works is the largest and most diverse public works organization in the country. Houston Public Works is responsible for streets, drainage, producing and distributing water, collecting and treating wastewater, and permitting and regulating of construction. There are over 4,000 dedicated public servants who work together to create a strong foundation for Houston to thrive. The department services 671 miles of service area, 2.3 million people, 1.1 million street names and traffic signs. To learn more about the Houston Public Works Department visit https://www.publicworks.houstontx.gov.

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. To learn more about HAA, visit www.houstonartsalliance.com and follow us on Facebook & Instagram @HoustonArtsAlliance.