Wilsonville Wrapped - A Utility Box Public Art Program

The City of Wilsonville and the Arts, Culture, and Heritage Commission (ACHC) are pleased to invite artists to participate in the City’s Pilot Program ‘Wilsonville Wrapped,’ a Utility Box Public Art Program. The program will add artwork to the City that contributes to the vitality and attractiveness of the streetscape and community, foster civic pride and community identity, and bring accessible art to unexpected places. Utility Box Art programs are popular throughout the country as a cost-effective way to successfully bring public art to City Streets by using blank traffic signal control boxes, an existing piece of City infrastructure, as canvases to become art. Boxes are approximately 80" x 24" x 30".

Artwork will be reproduced as a vinyl wrap and applied by a contractor to boxes throughout the City. Artists are NOT expected to do any work on-site.

This program is open to all visual artists of any medium, graphic designers, illustrators, photographers and student artists 16+

Project Summary and Overview:

The City of Wilsonville (“City”) and the Arts, Culture, and Heritage Commission (ACHC) are pleased to invite artists to participate in the City’s Pilot Program ‘Wilsonville Wrapped,’ a Utility Box Public Art Program. The program will add artwork to the City that contributes to the vitality and attractiveness of the streetscape and community, foster civic pride and community identity, and bring accessible art to unexpected places. Utility Box Art programs are popular throughout the country as a cost-effective way to successfully bring public art to City Streets by using blank traffic signal control boxes, an existing piece of City infrastructure, as canvases to become art. Boxes are approximately 80" x 24" x 30".

The Pilot Program will consist of up to 7 boxes. The theme for the pilot program is “Celebrating the Arts & Creativity.”

Artwork will be reproduced as a vinyl wrap and applied by a contractor to boxes throughout the City. Artists are NOT expected to do any work on-site.

This program is open to all visual artists of any medium, graphic designers, illustrators, photographers and student artists 16 and older.

THE FULL CALL FOR ART PDF WHICH INCLUDES IMAGES OF BOXES CAN BE FOUND HERE. 

Specifications:

Selected artwork will be transformed into vinyl wraps that will be professionally installed. Art will cover all four sides of the utility boxes. The life expectancy of each wrap is approximately five to seven years. The theme for the pilot program is “Celebrating the Arts & Creativity.” Artists are encouraged to interpret the theme in their own way, whether that is a literal or abstract interpretation. Artists should submit images of existing, completed artwork.

Artwork should enliven the area and contribute to the attractiveness of the streetscape. When submitting artwork, artists are encouraged to consider the context of the local area, community, and the City as a whole.

• Artwork must be the original design and artwork of the applicant.
• All submitted work must be entirely conceived and created by the human artist.
• Entries must not be the product of or contain imagery derived from or generated by artificial intelligence.
• Entries that use copyrighted or trademarked images will not be accepted. Entries must not be plagiarized, stolen, or copied.
• Artwork will be installed in public spaces and, as a result, must be suitable and appropriate for viewing by all.
• Artwork may not contain any representation of traffic lights, signs, or signals.
• Submissions that include advertising or logos, or are political, religious, or sexual in nature will not be considered.

The selected artist and the artwork must comply with and agree to all City of Wilsonville Public Art Policy and Guidelines.

Artwork created under this program is considered temporary and becomes the property of the City of Wilsonville. The City retains the right to remove or replace artwork at its sole discretion.

Artist Stipend:

Selected artists will receive $500 per box. This stipend will be paid directly to the selected artist(s) and is inclusive of everything to generate a design concept. Selected artists will not be entitled to any other compensation or reimbursement beyond the $500 per box design.

Artist Requirements:

Awarded artist(s) must sign a contract with the City of Wilsonville which will outline scope of work, timelines, payment information, etc. The contract will also outline use and ownership of the artwork, and allow the City to photograph the work and use for promotional materials.

Artists under 18 must submit under the guidance of their parent or legal guardian, and the parent/guardian will be required to sign the contract along with the artist.

Selected artists will need to submit a high-resolution image file in jpeg or tiff format, with a minimum 150 dpi/ppi, minimum 5000 pixels at the tallest or widest point of the image. Preferred resolution is 300 dpi/ppi and 8000 pixels at the tallest or widest point.

Selection Process:

Staff will conduct an internal review of all applications to confirm completeness and adherence to the guidelines, as well as to confirm if applicants have met the requirements and eligibility.

The ACHC will then evaluate submissions based on the following criteria:

• Artist excellence, composition, and originality; as well as
• Does the artwork meet the following goals of the project?
• Represent the theme “Celebrating the Arts & Creativity”
• Foster civic pride and community identity by bringing art to unexpected places
• Contributes to the vitality and attractiveness of the streetscape and community

The ACHC will then come together to review and discuss, to make their final decisions. They may be joined by other City staff in this process from the Public Works Department and/or Planning Department. Application materials will be made available publicly and be part of the public record.

The City of Wilsonville and the Arts, Culture, and Heritage Commission retain sole discretion of final approval of artwork selection.

Timeline (subject to change)

1)    Contact information (Name, address, phone, email, artist social media and/or artist website)

2)    Yes/No – Artist is under the age of 18

3)    Artwork Proposals for Consideration – Artist may submit up to three images for consideration - these are images that are existing, completed works.

Selected artists will need to submit a high-resolution image file in jpeg or tiff format, with a minimum 150 dpi/ppi, minimum 5000 pixels at the tallest or widest point of the image. Preferred resolution is 300 dpi/ppi and 8000 pixels at the tallest or widest point.

Artist Requirements:

Awarded artist(s) must sign a contract with the City of Wilsonville which will outline scope of work, timelines, payment information, etc. The contract will also outline use and ownership of the artwork, and allow the City to photograph the work and use for promotional materials.

Artists under 18 must submit under the guidance of their parent or legal guardian, and the parent/guardian will be required to sign the contract along with the artist.

Selected artists will need to submit a high-resolution image file in jpeg or tiff format, with a minimum 150 dpi/ppi, minimum 5000 pixels at the tallest or widest point of the image. Preferred resolution is 300 dpi/ppi and 8000 pixels at the tallest or widest point.