Posting Language
Title
Authorize negotiation and execution of an agreement with Stephan Hillerbrand and Mary Magsamen d/b/a Hillerbrand-Magsamen in an amount not to exceed $540,000 for artwork for the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport Elevated Pedestrian Bridge Art in Public Places Project. Funding: $81,000 is available in the Capital Budget of the Aviation Department. Funding for the remaining years of the agreement is contingent upon available funding in future budgets.
De
Lead Department
Office of Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment.
Fiscal Note
Funding in the amount of $81,000 is available in the Capital Budget of the Aviation Department. Funding for the remaining $459,000 of this contract will be added as the construction phases begin.
For More Information:
Angela Means, Director, Office of Arts, Culture, Music & Entertainment, 512-974-1624; Morgan Messick, Assistant Director, Office of Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment, 512-974-7873t.
Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action:
In August 2024, the Art in Public Places (AIPP) Panel and Arts Commission approved the “Art in Public Places Sites and Opportunities Plan for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport,” which identified and scoped three phases of AIPP opportunities within the current Airport Expansion & Development Program (AEDP).
On April 7, 2025, the AIPP Panel approved the selection process recommendation for the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport Elevated Pedestrian Bridge AIPP Project, naming Stephan Hillerbrand and Mary Magsamen d/b/a Hillerbrand-Magsamen as the selected artist and Rakhee Jain as the alternate for the $540,000 commission. (Motion by Chair Lemmo second by Panel Member Davis; approved 5-0-0, with one vacancy and Arts Commission Liaison Maldonado absent).
On April 21, 2025, the Austin Arts Commission approved the selection process recommendation for the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport Elevated Pedestrian Bridge AIPP Project, naming Stephan Hillerbrand and Mary Magsamen d/b/a Hillerbrand-Magsamen as the selected artist and Rakhee Jain as the alternate for the $540,000 commission. (Motion by Vice Chair Schmalbach, second by Commissioner Houston; approved 6-0-1, with Commissioners Kracheni, Hussain, Gray, and Maldonado absent).
Additional Backup Information:
This commission is part of Phase II of the City’s AIPP initiative, developed in alignment with the AEDP at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS). The AIPP plan, jointly created by the Office of Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment (ACME) and the Department of Aviation, was approved by the Arts Commission in August 2024.
The multi-phase plan was intentionally designed to balance artistic excellence with equity by engaging national, regional, and local artists. Phase II focused on Texas-based artists, and of the seven selected commissions, four were awarded to Austin-based creatives.
Artist Selection Process: Elevated Pedestrian Bridge AIPP Project
This opportunity was one of seven projects in Phase II of the AUS AIPP Plan and was procured via a statewide Request for Qualifications (RFQ):
Application & Outreach:
• RFQ released: January 3, 2025
• Submission Deadline: February 2, 2025
• Outreach included PublicArtist.org, the Economic Development Department newsletter, and City-managed social media
• Artist info and pre-submittal meetings were held on January 22 and 23, 2025
• 195 applications were submitted, 112 of which met eligibility criteria
Panel Review & Interviews:
• The panel reviewed submissions on March 4, 2025
• Finalist interviews occurred March 21, March 25, and April 1, 2025
• Final Recommendation:
• Recommended Artist: Hillerbrand-Magsamen - Houston, TX
The recommendation was approved by the AIPP Panel on April 7 and affirmed by the Austin Arts Commission on April 21, 2025.
About the Artists
Hillerbrand-Magsamen is the collaborative Houston-based artist team of Mary Magsamen and Stephan Hillerbrand. Working across sculpture, installation, video, performance, and photography, their practice explores themes of family identity, consumer culture, and everyday rituals through a creative and often humorous lens. Their work has been exhibited internationally and reflects a dynamic partnership built on collaboration and experimentation, well-suited to the pedestrian experience and energy of the airport environment.
Project Context Within the AUS AIPP Plan
This commission is one of seven Phase II projects initiated as part of AUS’s AIPP program. Phase I prioritized national artists; Phase II engages Texas-based talent; and Phase III will focus solely on Austin-based creatives.
This structured approach:
• Supports innovation through tiered artist eligibility,
• Provides meaningful opportunities for regional and local creatives, and
• Aligns project delivery timelines with overall airport construction milestones.
All AIPP commissions are expected to be complete by 2030, coinciding with the opening of the new AUS terminal expansion.