Your Art, Your City: Austin launches $900,000+ in Public Art Opportunities

The Austin Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment Art in Public Places (AIPP) program is looking for visual artists and artist-led teams to create new artworks for the city’s public places, backed by over $900,000 in artist commissions. Budgets for projects range from $90,000 to $300,000, giving artists resources to realize meaningful, lasting work.  Applications for the public art opportunities close at 5 p.m. on August 3, 2026. 

“Every public art open call is an opportunity to invest in Austin’s creative community,” said Angela Means, Director of Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment. “We want artists of all experience levels to see themselves as part of Austin’s creative ecosystem.”  

Austin became the first municipality in Texas to adopt a percent for art ordinance in 1985. By ordinance, the City of Austin dedicates two percent of eligible capital improvement project budgets to commission artists and acquire artwork for City-owned property and facilities. For more than four decades, the Art in Public Places (AIPP) program has helped shape Austin’s cultural landscape with unique works of art informed by community that have become cornerstones of the city’s identity. The City of Austin’s public art collection can be found in a variety of civic spaces, including the airport, libraries, parks, police stations, recreation centers, and streetscapes, bringing art into the everyday life of the city for all residents and visitors to enjoy. 

Open Calls for Austin-based Artists 

Asian American Resource Center (AARC)

The AARC is expanding and AIPP is seeking one Austin-based mid-career visual artist or artist-led team to design, fabricate and install a two- and/or three-dimensional exterior artwork that reflects and celebrates Austin’s Asian American community.  
Artwork Budget: $90,000  

Shared Streets

Austin Transportation and Public Works (TPW) oversees the City’s sidewalk and shared streets network, designing spaces that accommodate all modes of travel while prioritizing pedestrian comfort and safety for people of all ages and abilities. Three mid-career artist or artist-led teams will be selected to design, fabricate, and install exterior site-specific works of art per location. Final artwork locations will be determined collaboratively by the selected artist, City staff, the project design team, and the community.

Artwork Commission: $170,000 each  

Open Calls for Texas-based Artists 

Northeast Service Center (NESC) – Suspended Artwork

AIPP seeks a mid-career Texas-based artist or artist team to collaborate with Austin Resource Recovery, Austin Financial Services, Austin Fleet Mobility Services, and the surrounding Colony Park neighborhood to design, fabricate, and install a permanent three-dimensional site-specific artwork for the NESC administrative building. Use of recycled materials is encouraged. 

Artwork Commission: $300,000  

Open Call for Pre-Qualified Public Artist Pool

The AIPP Program is seeking qualifications from emerging, mid-career, and established public artists working across a wide range of visual media, artistic practices, and creative approaches for its 2026-28 Pre-Qualified Public Artist Pool. Selected artists from the pool may be considered to design, fabricate, and install potential public artworks for a variety of public art commissions of various scopes, timelines, and budget for eligible projects throughout Austin. All opportunities create pathways for artists to contribute to meaningful, community-centered public art projects throughout the city. 

Artwork Budget: $10,000 to $250,000+  

Apply Today

Applications close at 5:00 p.m. on August 3, 2026. 

Join an upcoming Information Session to learn about current open calls, local artist resources, and the application process. Language interpretation services are available upon request and must be requested at least two business days before the scheduled event.  

Virtual Open Office Hours will be held every Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. throughout the application period, providing artists’ an opportunity to ask questions and receive support.  

Information Session schedules, application guidelines, submission links, and additional artist resources are available at austintexas.gov/aipp. 

About Austin Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment 
Austin Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment (ACME) is committed to fostering a vibrant, creative ecosystem that celebrates and supports Austin's artists, musicians, entertainment venues, and cultural institutions. ACME is a centralized hub offering resources, funding opportunities, and strategic programs that promote local talent and drive economic growth.