Call for Artists: Traffic Box Art Wrap Project

The City of Sugar Land is seeking artists to aesthetically treat utility infrastructure throughout the community. Artists will be commissioned to transform traffic signal control boxes in Sugar Land from functional infrastructure into colorful and inspired works of art. 

DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTAL: Project is now closed. 

About the Project

The City of Sugar Land, with input from the Sugar Land Cultural Arts Foundation (SLCAF) and community members, will select up to thirteen artists and artist teams to develop designs for signal boxes in Sugar Land. Artists will submit digital files that can be fabricated into vinyl wraps. Signal box locations include areas along Highway 6 from Austin Parkway to Hull Lane. The Project Planning Committee will determine the specific location of each artwork. 

Eligibility

• Artists, students, schools and community organizations are encouraged to apply.
• This opportunity is limited to Sugar Land-area and regional artists (living/working within 70-mile radius of Sugar Land, Texas).
• Artists who apply in teams will have the opportunity to work collaboratively on their design. All artists contributing to a team project will receive equal recognition for their artistic input, but will divide the $500 stipend amongst themselves as they desire.
• Staff members, board members, advisory board members, City Council members and/or family members of City of Sugar Land are ineligible to apply.

Artwork Locations

Traffic cabinets to be wrapped are located along Highway 6 between Austin Parkway. and Hull Lane. The Selection Committee will assign specific traffic cabinet locations to selected artist designs.

Traffic Box locations include:

• Highway 6  at Austin Parkway
• Highway 6 at Frost Pass
• Highway 6 at Settlers Way Boulevard
• Highway 6 at Williams Trace Boulevard
• Highway 6 at Grants Lake Boulevard
• Highway 6 at Lexington Boulevard
• Highway 6 at Kensington Drive
• Highway 6 at Minuti Coffee Intersection
• Highway 6 at Fluor Daniel Drive
• Highway 6 at Panda Express Intersection
• Highway 6 at Brooks Street
• Highway 6 at University Boulevard
• Highway 6 at Hull Lane

Duration

Wraps will be removed after 1-3 years depending on condition.  They may be removed at any time at the discretion of the City of Sugar Land.

Honorarium

Each artist or artist team will receive a $500 honorarium for their design and the unlimited, licensed use of that design.  Fabrication and installation of wraps is not part of the artist’s work.

Submission Requirements

Artists should submit via www.callforentry.org the following items:

1. Resume and/or Biography/Artist Statement: A current résumé that outlines your professional accomplishments as an artist. If applying as a team, please submit a resume for each artist, with the lead artist’s resume first.  If you select to submit a biography/artist statement, please do not exceed 500-word maximum.
2. Letter of Interest: Include a description of how the artist or artist team meets the criteria listed in the RFQ.  Please do not exceed 500-word maximum.
3. Work Examples/Digital Images.  Digital images of 3-5 previously completed artworks that were commissioned or acquired as public art.  If you have no previous works commissioned/acquired, please include other relevant work samples.

• File format: JPEG only
• File dimensions: No smaller than 1920 pixels on the longest side
• File resolution: 72 ppi/dpi (standard web resolution)
• File size: 5 MB maximum

4. Image List: Include artist, title, year completed, dimensions, material, and budget or price (as applicable) for each image selected in your portfolio.
5. Design for Traffic Box Wrap Utilizing Traffic Box Diagram: Include design concept utilizing diagram located here.

Incomplete or ineligible applications will not be considered. Hard copies will not be considered.

Submission Guidelines and Design Considerations

• In the creation of designs, please carefully consider the traffic box diagram. Designs must conform to the shape of the diagram. Actual size of traffic boxes may vary. Selected artists should be prepared to coordinate with the City of Sugar Land and the SLCAF to finalize the design.
• “Sugar Land Looks Ahead” is the theme of this call, allowing for open interpretation and creativity to make a lasting impression on residents and viewers.  This theme was inspired by the idea of what it would mean to be a thriving community in a “post-pandemic” world, and reflects a hopeful future for Sugar Land and its citizens.
• The art may be a new original piece or an existing work of the artist, but may not be on display in other public art programs. This does not include ongoing gallery exhibitions.
• The art may be representational or abstract, but may not contain advertising, religious art, sexual content, negative imagery, or convey political partisanship.
• Due to the heat sensitivity of the electronics contained within the utility boxes, artists are discouraged from using very dark color palates in their designs.
• Submitted designs must illustrate original artwork and/or graphic design.
• All submissions must be provided digitally.
• Artists may submit up to (3) designs for consideration.

Selection Criteria

Criteria used to select artwork include, but are not limited to: appropriateness of art to the community, aesthetic quality, site suitability, quality of previous work, and commitment to carrying out the project.

Additional Information

Completed artwork will become a part of the City of Sugar Land’s Public Art collection and will be owned by the City. Selected artists will sign a licensing agreement and participation waiver with the City of Sugar Land.

Timeline

Contact

Patty Holley

Cultural Arts Assistant

City of Sugar Land, Cultural Arts Division

CulturalArts@sugarlandtx.gov*

*Please note: This email is for questions/information only. Please do not submit art or other RFP materials to this email address.