REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS: Graphic Traffic Boxes

Santa Cruz City Arts invites proposals for artwork on traffic signal cabinets. Traffic signal cabinets are located on street corners and are visible to both pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Since 2002, cabinets have been used as canvases to display the artwork of local artists and graphic designers. The "Graphic Traffic" project is a temporary public art project. Commissioned artwork remains on view for 3-10 years, depending on wear and tear. New commissions are rotated in over time.

Signal cabinets are metal with average dimensions of 54" high x 44" wide x 26" deep. Selected designs are either painted directly onto the primed surface or digitally printed on vinyl which is then applied to the cabinet surface. Five proposals will be selected for boxes at the following locations: Broadway/Ocean, 3rd/Riverside, Morrisey/Soquel, Front/Soquel, and Water/Ocean. Artists may submit a selection of portfolio images from which the panel may select one image to be printed on vinyl, submit one or more site-specific proposals for a specific box, or submit both portfolio and site-specific proposal options. Site-specific proposals should describe full surface coverage and specify preferred location.

Compensation is $750 per cabinet for artists selected to paint directly onto cabinets, or $250 for artists with an image selected for digital printing on vinyl. The City will be responsible for prepping, priming, and covering the boxes with an anti-graffiti coating, as well as printing digital images on vinyl and applying vinyl to the boxes. Artists who will be painting boxes must supply their own materials. Paints used must be water-based acrylics and must be approved by City Arts staff. Artists will have the option of selecting a Kelly Moore paint color to be used as the base primer.

To be eligible, artists must live or work in Santa Cruz County and have a portfolio of work available online for public viewing. Submissions must include 6 to 10 images, an artist statement (1000 character limit), website or online portfolio URL, a resume of not more than two double-sided pages, and names, phone numbers, and email addresses of three professional references. Complete submissions must be received no later than 11:00 PM on April 20, 2012. Selected artists must be available to begin their projects by June 15, 2011.