Banner with an overhead view of Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park with Austin downtown in the background.

Open Calls

Art in Public Places (AIPP) is the City of Austin’s public art program. Administered through Austin Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment (ACME), the AIPP program commissions visual artists to create site-specific artworks that reflect the history, culture, and values of Austin’s communities.

In addition to acquiring and stewarding artworks within the permanent collection, the AIPP program manages the People’s Gallery, Changing Exhibitions at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, and our temporary public art program, TEMPO.

We invite you to explore our current open call opportunities and consider applying to be part of Austin’s evolving public art landscape.

Current Open Calls

Exhibition calls will open April 1, 2026.

Exhibitions

The City of Austin’s Art in Public Places (AIPP) program accepts exhibition applications for City Hall’s The People’s Gallery exhibit and the Austin International Bergstrom Airport (AUS) terminals. The submission process includes an artist statement, images of artwork, and an application. There is no fee to apply.

Exhibition calls will open April 1st, 2026.

View of art on the walls of Austin City Hall for the People's Gallery exhibit
Austin City Hall, People's Gallery exhibit.

The People’s Gallery

Located on the first three floors of Austin City Hall, The People’s Gallery is an ongoing exhibition series that showcases the work of local and regional artists for two years. The exhibition is designed to reflect Austin’s artistic excellence and cultural diversity while encouraging public dialogue, understanding, and enjoyment of visual art. Each year, the gallery welcomes over 200,000 visitors, providing a prominent venue for artists and the public to showcase, experience, and celebrate the region’s creativity in the heart of Austin.

Supporting Austin artists: 

As part of the City’s initiatives to support local artists, many of the works on view are available for purchase. Pricing and contact information are included in a gallery guide, available in the first-floor lobby. All sales are conducted directly through the artists or their representing galleries.

Apply for the People's Gallery

 


Colorful figurative art by Jerome Pelitera on the wall at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
AUS Zilker Gallery, across from gate 17, Jerome Pelitera exhibit.

The Changing Exhibits Program at AUS

The Changing Exhibits Program at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) showcases the work of regional artists across twelve gallery spaces throughout the airport terminals for one year. Designed to enrich the traveler experience, the program provides a high-visibility platform for artists while engaging a diverse audience of more than 20,000 visitors each day.

Apply for Changing Exhibits

Permanent Public Art

A public art installation with colorful lights at night
Austin Film Society, Split Dioper by Eric Eley. 2019.

The City of Austin’s Art in Public Places (AIPP) program regularly issues open calls for professional visual artists and artist-led teams. These opportunities invite artists to design, fabricate, and install site-specific public artworks that become part of Austin’s permanent public art collection.  

The AIPP program commissions artists working in all media to create thoughtful, place-based installations that reflect the community and enhance the city’s public spaces.

Open Calls for Permanent Public Art

There are no open calls for permanent public art at this time. 

Temporary Public Art

Overhead view of a public art installation involving grass cut in shapes
2024 TEMPO on the Rail, The Trail Conservancy, Conversation Stones by Diego Miró-Rivera. 2024.

TEMPO is AIPP’s temporary public art program, bringing site-specific artworks to public spaces where they spark imagination, inspire creativity, and encourage exploration. Designed as an entry point for local artists interested in public art, TEMPO provides an opportunity to design, fabricate, install, and maintain a temporary artwork through a contract with the City of Austin or program partners. Installations remain on view for one year.

For FY25-26, AIPP is partnering with The Trail Conservancy to present the next round of TEMPO installations. Look for new works debuting along the trail in March 2026.  

Open Calls for Temporary Public Art

There are no open calls for temporary public art at this time.