West Valley Connector (WVC) Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Project – Utility Box Artwork

Call for Individual Artist or Artist Teams for Design Services – Utility Box Artwork throughout the Alignment

SBCTA seeks to commission up to twenty (20) artists, or artist teams, to design original public artwork that will be installed on utility boxes as part of the overall system design along the new West Valley Connector (WVC) Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line to be operated by Omnitrans.

Project Details and Scope of Work:

SBCTA is responsible for cooperative regional transportation planning and furthering an efficient multi-modal system for San Bernardino County. The San Bernardino Valley will experience growing traffic congestion and one million more people by 2030. SBCTA and Omnitrans are working to improve mobility in the Valley with an enhanced, state-of-the-art bus rapid transit (BRT) system. The West Valley Connector BRT project runs west to east through Pomona, Montclair, Ontario, and Rancho Cucamonga. https://www.gosbcta.com/project/west-valley-connector-brt/

As part of the alignment, the project will require a series of utility boxes at each station stop. Utility boxes are a part of the infrastructure necessary to operate and maintain this new transit system. They provide an opportunity for artists of all disciplines to enliven the visual landscapes of the communities served by the new BRT system. Final artworks selected for the utility boxes will appear on the front and back and most visible side cabinets along the alignment.

In total, there are 33 locations where a series of utility boxes provide a blank canvas for unique artworks. This project specifically encourages individuals or teams who work in photography, the visual arts, and literary arts to apply. Most typical utility box projects are an opportunity to decoratively embellish these boxes. The intent of this project is to select imagery that reflects the untold and relevant compelling stories of the region. The WVC BRT alignment runs west to east through Pomona, Montclair, Ontario, and Rancho Cucamonga. It will serve two of the most densely populated counties (San Bernardino and Los Angeles) in the western United States. It connects significant transportation hubs and destinations within the region. Some of these destinations include:

• Pomona Transit Center, with connection to Metrolink, Metro A Line and other bus operators
• Ontario Civic Center
• Ontario Convention Center
• Ontario International Airport
• Toyota Arena
• Ontario Mills with connection to other bus operators
• Rancho Cucamonga Metrolink Station
• Victoria Gardens

The West Valley Connector BRT will serve an estimated 4,200 daily passengers upon opening with an estimated 5,300 riders in 2040. The alignment travels thought the historic district of Ontario and will provide walking access to the Ontario Museum of History & Art and the Chaffey Community Museum of Art.

This RFQ is open to all practicing professional artists residing near or within the project area. Prior experience in public art is not required. Visual artists working in all media and those who may use text or prose combined with visual elements are encouraged to apply. 

Application Requirements: 

All applications must be submitted via the online CaFE system by May 13, 2026. To apply for this call, please submit the following items:

• Resume (maximum 2 pages for all team members)
• Professional references (minimum of two for each team member)
• Letter of Interest (1 page) including an outline of your qualifications and relevant experience, interest in this project and a general approach to this project.
• 8 JPEG images of previous works by all team members. Those who submit text may also do so in JPEG format.
• Annotated image list with descriptions, including artist, title, date, location, materials, art budget, and a brief description (up to five sentences). For team application, please indicate the lead artist for each past project

If applying as a team, please describe previous collaborative work completed. Do not submit original artwork or any artwork that is a concept for the project. 

Applications Due on CaFE

May 13, 2026. Any applications received after this deadline may be deemed non-responsive. To review artist tutorials on how to submit on the CaFE website, access this link 24/7 Artist Help Center 

Short List of 25 Artists to Prepare Preliminary Design Concept

Artists will be notified by  June 15, 2026. At that time, those artists will be given specific instructions and deadlines for submission of their preliminary design concept. It is estimated that up to twenty (20) finalists shall be selected and notified in writing. All finalists will enter into an agreement with SBCTA to prepare a final design package. 

Submission of Final Design

Friday, August 21st, 2026. All final design documents will be submitted in a digital format determined by the contractor.

How to Apply: 

Application materials shall be submitted electronically via the CaFE (Call for Entries) system, a free online service to artists interested in public art and exhibition opportunities in the United Sates.The ASC has particular interest in seeing proposals emphasizing the character of the local area in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties. Accordingly, local artists living within the project area are strongly encouraged to respond and shall be prioritized for project selection.

Based on submission materials provided by each artist or team, 25 artists will be selected and paid an honorarium to prepare a preliminary design concept, which includes the following materials:

1.     Artist statement that includes an explanation of the theme and references of the design concept; and

2.     One color rendering showing the artwork proposed for the configuration of utility boxes

The preliminary design must satisfy certain other requirements as necessary to incorporate the art  on the utility boxes. The general contractor for the West Valley Connector BRT system will be responsible for the fabrication and installation of the artwork onto the boxes. Selected Artists or Artist teams must be available and present for meetings with the project team staff.

AFTER SELECTION OF FINALISTS

After reviewing the preliminary design concepts, up to 20 artists will be selected by representatives from each city. Those selected shall develop a final design package for the project. The finalists will be expected to attend virtual meetings and to work collaboratively with the design team for up to 4 months following selection. The details of the scope of Work are as follows:

As requested by the SBCTA, the Artist shall provide and coordinate, with the applicable team, all services and materials related to the preparation of final design package and electronic files for the following:

o   Artist statement provided electronically.

o   The electronic files for the artwork will meet all requirements of the contractor for the fabrication of the artwork.

o   Final artwork will be provided within the format provided to the artist by the design team and will address all limitations and constraints illustrated in that template.

o   The Artist shall not use images, symbols, logos, or photos owned by others, except without the prior written permission of SBCTA.

o   The final design package shall be subject to review and approval by the project art consultant and Omnitrans.

The artwork shall be installed along with other improvements as part of the project and will be operated and maintained by Omnitrans or the local municipality in accordance with an Operations and Maintenance Agreement between Omnitrans and the local municipality.

All deliverables for final design are due on Friday, August 21st, 2026.