Public Art of the University of Houston System (Public Art UHS) invites proposals from University of Houston students for works of public art for The Billboard, a venue for public art at the University of Houston. 

This call is extended to any enrolled University of Houston students attending the Main Campus and seeks the submission of 2D graphic artwork to be considered for large-scale public display as a digital print. 

The awarded artist will receive an honorarium of $500 and the selected artwork will be displayed publicly on The Billboard from January through December, 2026.

The Billboard is a project sponsored by Public Art UHS, giving university students the opportunity to enhance and affect public space on campus through creative interventions. It is an annual program granting emerging creatives who are students at the University of Houston an opportunity to create site-specific installations as public art projects.  

​The Billboard was originally conceived as a series of mural projects at the University of Houston’s Arts District, just outside of the College of Technology. The initiative launched in 2020 with Spencer Finch’s Back to Kansas (2015). Muna Al-Bader’s Cultural Bonds (2021) was the second project in The Billboard series. Our third project Ave’s Sonar (2022) was created by the Houston-based artist DUAL.

Since then, we have reconceptualized The Billboard as an installation project, producing and installing the digital artwork students submit at a large scale. 

The Billboard is sited in the University Art District near the College of Technology, in sight of a number of permanent artworks from the University’s public art collection, including Double Physichromie by Carlos Cruz Diez, Folly by Jorge Pardo, and the El Seed mural.  

Site address: College of Technology Building T2, Houston, TX 77204-6020. 

Click here for diagrams, maps and photographs of the site. 

Applicants meeting the following are eligible for consideration:

• Open to any UH student enrolled at the Main Campus 
• Must be at least 18 years old  

THE FOLLOWING ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO APPLY:  

• Former UH System students (must be currently enrolled)
• Current UH System employees  

Note: Submissions not meeting all eligibility criteria or application requirements will be withdrawn from consideration.  

Proposed Artwork (Image File)

Applicants should submit one 2D image of a proposed artwork, formatted to the specifications below. Submissions can include, but are not limited to, photography, graphic design, computer generated artworks, or digitized imagery of physical artworks.

Note: This submission should be of a completed artwork – not a sketch.

Please prepare your image file to the following specifications for submitted files: 

• Each image should be uploaded with a file name formatted as follows: [First and Last Name]_[Artwork Title](Year Created)

• Accepted Size and Format:

• 8,640 × 13,392 px @ 72 DPI (common for vector-based murals/graphics): 
• 18,000 × 27,900 px @ 150 DPI: (for fine art reproduction/photography)
  
  
• Accepted File Types:  
  • TIFF (.tif) – best for color  
  • PDF (.pdf) – great for vector images
  • EPS/AI (.eps or .ai) – if artwork is vector-based or produced in Adobe Illustrator
     
    

Statement of Interest (1000 words max)

This is your opportunity to express your personality, and enthusiasm for the project. In 1000 works (max), please answer the following:  

• What is your interest in The Billboard?  
• What is your imagined design or artistic/conceptual approach?  
• What is your experience, if any, working on public art, artistic, or creative projects?
• What impact do you want your artwork to have?  
• What response from the UH community would you like to see?  
   

Student/Artist Biography (500 words max)

We’re interested in your perspective and background, and in learning more about what shapes your creative perspective. Feel free to answer the following questions in 500 words (max): What is your course of study and some of your academic interests? Are you an undergraduate student or a graduate student? What extracurricular activities are you involved in, if any? How has your life or student experience influenced the artwork you are submitting?  

The program includes a pre-screening phase to ensure proposed artworks are suitable for public display on campus as well as a community voting process to determine the awarded artist. The awarded artist will see their submitted 2D artwork realized and installed as a billboard on campus and will receive an honorarium of $500. The open call process will culminate in a public celebration for the artist and the featured billboard artwork.  

Artwork submissions will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• Artwork demonstrates originality & creativity
• Artwork demonstrates expert use of composition and design
• Artwork has the ability to appeal to a broad audience and is suitable for public display. Please keep in mind that the UH campus is a public campus, and there are a variety of beliefs, practices, and perspectives embraced by the varied audiences at this university.
• Artwork demonstrates an ability to inspire reflection, curiosity, or dialogue.
• Artworks demonstrate clarity of concept Your artwork should clearly reflect the themes you discuss in your explanation.  

Please note: Priority will be given to artists who submit original artworks over AI-generated imagery 

• October 27, 2025 | RFP for The Billboard released
• November 10, 2025 | 5 PM Zoom Info session + Application Workshop
• November 11, 2025 | 10 AM Zoom Info session + Application Workshop 
• November 30, 2025 | RFP for The Billboard closes
• December 1, 2025 | Public Voting for The Billboard opens
• December 31, 2025 | Public Voting for The Billboard closes
• January 19, 2026 | Installation of The Billboard artwork on Campus 
• March 5, 2026 | Opening Reception for the artist at GATHER 2026 

*All dates are subject to change

For questions about this opportunity and/or for more information, please direct all inquiries to:  
 
Mike Guidry, Curator of Public Art Collection, PAUHS 
Mguidry2@central.uh.edu

Please submit all questions in writing via email no later than Nov. 28, 2025 by 4:00 PM CST. Questions will be answered as they are received.  
 
An FAQ with submitted questions can be found here.