Paint a Box – Transforming Utility & Traffic Control Boxes
Public Art Opportunity
The City of Davis is launching ‘Paint a Box’, a public art project to have five utility and traffic control
boxes painted in the downtown area. In conjunction with the City Council goals to ensure
downtown Davis remains the vibrant economic, cultural, and social center of the community, the
City of Davis is seeking artists to transform necessary structures into lively pieces of art.
The budget for this project is $5,000. A $1000 stipend will be awarded to each artist or team of
artists selected. This stipend is to cover all costs associated with the project, including artist fees,
materials, insurance, etc. The selected artists are required to show proof of liability insurance.
Selected proposals will demonstrate quality and originality, with a design that enhances the
downtown area. It is the goal to have two of the boxes completed by involving local youth in the
process. This could be in the design effort or in the painting of the boxes.
Application deadline – Thursday, April 2, 2015. 5:00 P.M.
The entire project must be completed by May 29, 2015
Selection Process
The City Council has charged the Davis Civic Arts Commission with responsibility for recommending
all acquisitions of public art. On their behalf, a panel made up of Civic Arts Commissioners, an artist,
a downtown representative and city staff members will oversee the selection process. The selection
panel will review the proposals and forward a recommendation to the City Council, which has final
authority for commissioning all works of art. As in all competitions, the city reserves the right to
revise the project parameters as needed, and to reject all proposals if no consensus is reached on
final selection.
Phase One
The panel will review all application materials and choose the finalists. Selection will be based on a
review of each applicant’s style, previous work, and ideas included with the preliminary sketch.
Previous experience with public or private commissions is desirable but not required.
Phase Two
Finalists will be invited to present their proposals to the Selection Committee and answer questions
as needed. The selection committee will make a recommendation to the City Council. Additional
discussions with individual applicants may be held before the final decision is made.
Timeline
The schedule is contingent upon the City’s project schedule and may be changed at any time.
March 9, 2015
April 2, 2015
Request for Proposal Released
Deadline for the response to RFP by 5:00 p.m.
April 9, 2015
April 13, 2015
April 21, 2015
April 22, 2015
April 30, 2015
May 29, 2015
Finalists notified by this date.
Interviews held with finalists during this week.
City Council takes action on recommendation of selection panel.
Selected artists notified.
Anticipated execution of contracts.
Completion of project.
Application Procedure
Interested applicants wishing to respond to this Request must submit all of the following digitally or
in person. Applicants will need to include:
1. Sketches based on your initial concept, design description and indication of which box you
are interested in painting.
2. Submit up to 10 images of recent work. If you are applying as a team, up to 20 images will
be accepted.
3. Submit an image sheet indicating information about each artwork including the title of
work, media, size, and location.
4. Submit a current resume, no more than three pages with your name, address, phone
number, fax number, and e-mail address at the top of each page. Please include names and
phone numbers of up to three professional references who can address your ability to
complete a public art project. If you are working as a team, you must submit a resume for
each team member.
Deadline for Submittal
All applications must be delivered by 5:00 p.m. on April 2, 2015
City of Davis
City Manager’s Office/Carrie Dyer
ATTN: Utility Box Public Art Proposal
23 Russell Blvd.
Davis, CA 95616
Postmarks and faxes will not be accepted.
Purchase Agreement
Selected Artist (s) will be required to sign a contract with the City of Davis. A sample art purchase
contract is available by contacting city staff member Carrie Dyer.
Contact Person
Questions, inquiries and requests for additional information should be directed to:
Carrie Dyer, Community Services Supervisor, 530-757-5626, [email protected].
Locations and Specifications follow on next page.
Locations
Traffic Control Box Locations
All measure approximately 55” high x 42” width x 24” side width.
1. Corner of 1st and E – Both boxes will be incorporated into painting
2. Corner of 1st and D – Both boxes will incorporated into painting
3. Corner of 5th and B
Utility Box Locations
1. In E Street Plaza, located next to the Wardrobe
a. Measures 61” high x 30” width x 12.5” side width
2. On Northwest corner of 3rd and F street
a. Measures 63” high x 20.5” wide x 12” side width
Specifications
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The boxes must be scraped, cleaned and primed before the artists begin painting.
Only durable materials may be used in the creation of the artwork.
Artists must avoid dark palettes in order to prevent boxes from overheating in the sun.
Artists must supply their own materials and supplies including water.
Drop cloths should be used at all times while painting.
Applied paint must not interfere with the operation of the box’s hinges, vents and locks, in
addition to the legibility of any cautionary text or numbering on the box. Some boxes have a
lens that operates the surrounding lights. These lenses must refrain free from paint.
Design may not include a copyrighted or trademarked image and must be an original
created design by the artist or team of artists submitting.
Artists are responsible for protecting their work from the elements and possible vandalism
with a protective varnish.
Passage on the sidewalk for pedestrians must be at all times maintained.