Art

With nearly 350 works of permanent art, the public art collection at Houston Airports is one of the largest collections in the aviation industry. Our mission is to enhance the guest experience by presenting a distinguished and varied collection of art that demonstrates the talent, resiliency, and diversity of local and regional artists, while promoting and supporting the art community. The work ranges from sculpture to photography, textile art to projection art, large scale installation to jewelry. The Public Art Program also includes cultural collaborations with local institutions like NASA and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, temporary exhibitions, an Artist In Residence program, and a performing arts program.

• Permanent Art Collection: The permanent public art collection at Houston Airports is one of the largest in the aviation industry. With nearly 350 pieces, it features work from regional, national, and international artists with an emphasis on Texas artists. The collection was officially began in 1999 with a passing of a city ordinance that designates 1.75% of eligible construction projects to be designated for art to beautify the facilities. The collection is part of the City of Houston’s Civic Art Collection.

• Cultural Collaboration: Houston Airports is pleased to support the local arts and cultural community by collaborating with area institutions to bring artifacts and exhibitions from area organizations like NASA, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, the Houston Botanical Garden, the 1940 Air Terminal Museum, and Don’t Mess with Texas. These collaborations reinforce our public art mission and help reinforce a sense of place at our airports.

• Temporary Exhibitions of Art – in an effort to continually have fresh and exciting art displays for our passengers and guests to enjoy, the Public Art Program provides a rotation of Temporary Exhibitions of Art from local and regional artists. Current TEA’s include “Texas Legends” featuring the photography of Pam Francis, “Houston” by the Houston Block Club constructed from 200,000 LEGO blocks, and “Dreams and Visions” a photography exhibition by HAS Chief Architect Guillermo Cabrera.
• Artist in Residence: As part our Houston Airports 5-star customer service to engage guess, the AIR program brings local artist into the terminal to make their work and enhance the passenger experience by exposing them to the creation the of art. The program promotes the local art community and provides incredible exposure for the artist to the traveling public.
• Harmony in the Air: Presented at both George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), Harmony in the Air features more than 75 of Houston’s most accomplished professional musicians performing a diverse repertoire of classical, jazz, pop and international music. 

Watch short video on Ten Site Specific Art Commissions