Art sought for new African-American Center


The City of Austin Art in Public Places program of the Cultural Arts Division, Economic Growth & Redevelopment Services Office has extended the deadline for artists to submit to the African-American Cultural & Heritage Facility Art in Public Places Request for Proposals.

The new deadline is midnight, Tuesday, Jan. 17.

The available budget for the public art project is $65,000 to include all aspects of design, fabrication and installation of the work of art

Additional information, clarifications to the original RFP, and site and building plans are available on the AIPP web site .

The goal for the public art project is to showcase a work of contemporary public art that honors the cultural heritage of the African-American community in Austin at the new African-American Cultural and Heritage Facility planned on East 11th Street.

The City of Austin has contracted for the design of an African-American Cultural and Heritage Facility that will include the rehabilitation of the circa 1880 Dedrick-Hamilton house at 912 E. 11th St.

The design, by McKinney York Architects, will provide for new construction toinclude an approximately 3,500 square foot cultural facility adjacent to the Dedrick-Hamilton house.
The concept for the facility was developed as part of the African-American Quality of Life Initiative, and will serve as an anchor for the African-American Cultural Heritage District designated by the Texas Commission on the Arts in 2009.


The district represents a diverse mix of historic and heritage sites and institutions, contemporary arts and cultural organizations, artist studios and work spaces, and small businesses that represent artists and their work.


The African-American Cultural and Heritage Facility will house office and rehearsal space for Pro Arts Collective (a community nonprofit organization), offices for the Capital City African-American Chamber of Commerce, as well as incorporate a visitors’ bureau, which will provide information and exhibits on the new AACHD.