Artist Opportunities

Where creativity, culture, and community converge in the heart of the city.

Designated as a Cultural Arts & Entertainment District by the Texas Commission on the Arts in 2012, Midtown has blossomed into a vibrant, walkable neighborhood known for its iconic cultural landmarks, four lush parks, more than 200 presenting cultural arts groups, and over 90 arts organizations. From local galleries to sidewalk festivals, the arts aren’t just a feature of Midtown—they’re part of the fabric.

Through the midtownHOU Arts Micro Grants Program, Midtown has invested $118,000 in public art projects through the end of 2025, supporting local artists and arts organizations while bringing bold public art and creative placemaking initiatives to life across the district. In 2026, Midtown will double its annual investment, making $120,000 available to qualified artists and arts organizations in Houston. By the end of 2026, the program will have invested a total of $238,000 in public art.

Whether you’re here to explore, create, or connect, Midtown Houston is a place that celebrates expression, champions diversity, and continues to make space for every voice in its evolving story.

For more information and announcements about our Artist Opportunities, sign up for our newsletter!

Open Opportunities

2026 MidtownHOU Micro Arts Grant Cycle 1

Project Description: “Art That Works” encourages artists to imagine creative, functional enhancements to public spaces—artworks that residents and visitors can use, experience, and enjoy daily. Projects must be beautiful, inventive, community-centered, and genuinely useful. Projects should be small to medium in scale and appropriate to the available funding for Cycle 1. Applicants are encouraged to propose creative, human-scale functional art elements rather than large infrastructure or capital projects.

Application Release

1/5/2026

Application Deadline

2/1/2026

Announcement

2/16/2026

Rodeo 2026 Sign Wrap

Project Description: This will be a large scale temporary public art display created on a 3M vinyl face wrap on the iconic Midtown sign in Bagby Park, in Midtown Houston.
Location: The iconic Midtown Sign located on the stage at 415 Gray Street in Bagby

Application Release

1/5/2026

Application Deadline

2/1/2026

Announcement

2/15/2026

Upcoming Opportunities

Midtown Wayfinding Art Project

More information Coming Soon!

Application Release

2/2/2026

Application Deadline

3/1/2026

Announcement

3/14/2026

100 Years of Jazz Sign Wrap

More information Coming Soon!

Application Release

2/5/2026

Application Deadline

3/1/2026

Announcement

3/16/2026

Artist in Residency #1

More information Coming Soon!

Application Release

2/2/2026

Application Deadline

3/15/2026

Announcement

3/30/2026

AAPI Heritage Month Sign Wrap

More information Coming Soon!

Application Release

3/8/2026

Application Deadline

4/12/2026

Announcement

4/27/2026

FIFA World Cup Sign Wrap

More information Coming Soon!

Application Release

4/27/2026

Application Deadline

5/24/2026

Announcement

6/8/2026

2026 MidtownHOU Micro Arts Grant Cycle 2

More information Coming Soon!

Application Release

5/4/2026

Application Deadline

5/31/2026

Announcement

6/15/2026

250th Birthday of America Sign Wrap

More information Coming Soon!

Application Release

5/18/2026

Application Deadline

6/14/2026

Announcement

6/28/2026

Artist in Residency #2

More information Coming Soon!

Application Release

7/6/2026

Application Deadline

8/16/2026

Announcement

8/31/2026

National Arts and Humanities Month Surrealist Sign Wrap

More information Coming Soon!

Application Release

8/3/2026

Application Deadline

9/6/2026

Announcement

9/21/2026

Holiday / Winnie the Pooh Sign Wrap

More information Coming Soon!

Application Release

10/5/2026

Application Deadline

11/1/2026

Announcement

11/16/2026
MPC UPDATE:

The November MPC Board Meeting has been cancelled

UPDATE:

The MRA Board Meeting has been rescheduled for October 23rd

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