Houston Named Finalist in Prestigious Art Competition Addressing Civic Issues

Published Jul 14, 2023 by Hailea Schultz

Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Public Art Challenge, a prestigious national competition, named Houston a top finalist for its groundbreaking proposal, HueMan: Shelter.

Since its launch in 2014, the Bloomberg Philanthropies' Public Art Challenge has fostered creative collaborations between mayors of U.S. cities with populations of 30,000 or more, local artists and art organizations. The challenge aims to develop temporary public art projects that tackle significant civic issues. Each round, up to 10 cities are selected to receive up to $1 million funding, supporting their projects for a span of two years.

“Public art provides a creative way to bring communities together, strengthen local economies, and make cities more inspiring and dynamic,” said Michael R. Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg LP and Bloomberg Philanthropies and 108th mayor of New York City. “This year’s proposals show that public art, and the partnerships they forge between artists and local governments, is stronger than ever.”

Houston’s HueMan: Shelter project exemplifies the region’s unique cultural diversity through a compelling visual story of real-life experiences through the lens of unsheltered individuals. Amongst the other 153 cities that applied, Houston stands out for its ability to bring beauty to a topic that is commonly perceived in a negative light.

The HueMan: Shelter project, a collaboration between the Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs, the Midtown Houston Cultural Arts and Entertainment District, the City of Houston, the Coalition for the Homeless of Houston, the Career and Recovery Resources, Inc., and METRO Houston, spans nine sites along a prominent street corridor in Midtown. It promises to transform the city's landscape while fostering empathy and understanding for the unsheltered community.

"We're thrilled to be selected as a finalist for the Bloomberg Philanthropies Public Art Challenge," said Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner in a recent press release. "HueMan: Shelter is an innovative project that will not only transform our city's landscape but also foster empathy and understanding for our unsheltered community members. We're excited about the opportunity to showcase Houston's vibrant creative scene and make a positive impact in the lives of our vulnerable populations."

The HueMan: Shelter project is not the only testament to the Bayou City’s long-lasting commitment to the arts. Since its establishment, the city has created the Civil Art Ordinance, dedicating a small portion of its budget to public art projects, funded many public art projects, supported local artists and art organizations and started the Civic Art Collection, which currently holds over 800 unique and diverse works of art.

This year alone, the city has actively supported the arts through two major funding projects, including $11.5 million in grants to local artists, arts and culture nonprofit organizations and fiscally sponsored projects offering public exhibitions, presentations, and performances, and $5 million in grants to local artists and art organizations to help recover from the pandemic.

Through the HueMan: Shelter project, the city has been able to bring together its community to create something inspiring, lively and important, capturing Houston’s essence and connectivity. If selected by Bloomberg Philanthropies, the HueMan: Shelter project will receive support for project-related expenditures over the next two years, continuing its efforts to change the perceptions about homelessness. Winners of the competition will be announced in the fall.

Discover more about Houston's vibrant art and cultural scene and its enduring commitment to creative expression.