Torrance Utility Box Public Art Pilot Program Application

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UTILITY BOX PUBLIC ART ARTIST INFORMATION

The City of Torrance and its Cultural Arts Commission invites artists to participate in the City’s Utility Box Public Art Pilot Program. The City and the Commission are seeking artists to showcase their work to beautify utility boxes located throughout Torrance. The goals of the program are to use public art to contribute to the vitality and attractiveness of the City’s streetscapes and bring art to unexpected places. Please read this Program Announcement in its entirety before completing the application.

Eligibility

Description and Location of Utility Boxes

The City’s Utility Boxes vary in size. Installation of artwork would be completed by a vendor chosen by the City, complete with necessary preparations including scraping, sanding and priming. The vinyl material used to wrap each box will include a UV-protective clear coat to protect against sun and other environmental damage. The boxes are located throughout Torrance, including major thoroughfares with traffic signals that are visible to pedestrian, cycling and automobile traffic. The locations of the utility boxes are listed on the Utility Box Public Art Pilot Program page.

This call for artists is only for City of Torrance Utility Boxes. At some intersections where there are more than one utility box, the City’s box is the only available box for public art installation.

Artwork Opportunity

The proposed Utility Box public art designs must be applicable and usable, covering all four sides and the top of a box. The artwork would be printed and installed by a vendor selected by the City who is contracted for vinyl wrapping services. Artworks should enliven the area, transform the street and reflect the neighborhood or area where the utility box is located. The artwork submitted should be family-friendly and suitable for viewing by persons of all ages. Artwork using a majority of dark colors may not be considered due to the potential for overheating the utility boxes. Certain locations will include subject matter consideration that showcases Torrance’s cultural diversity, historic heritage, or acknowledges a key activity that takes place in the area. Artists can submit more than one concept for the same location or submit a concept that includes a continuous theme across multiple utility boxes and locations. The artwork design may not restrict any vents or airflow through the boxes, thus necessary layout edits to designs may be made by the City. The City must be able to fully access the box and the components inside the box at all times. In the event the utility box is mounted on a base of concrete or other material, the base shall not be included as part of the available area for a public art design. Any nearby protective poles, bollards, planters, etc. are not be included as part of the available area for a public art design. The artist is responsible for the design of the artwork to be printed on the vinyl and wrapped.

Entries that use a copyrighted or trademarked image will not be accepted. In addition, artworks must not be plagiarized, stolen, or copied from any other source. Entries must not defame or invade the rights of any person, living or dead. The artwork shall include the placement of a credit box containing the name of the artist and the financial sponsor of the box, which may be the City, the artist or another entity. The artwork is considered a long‐term installation and will become the property of the City of Torrance. The artist will retain the right to reproduce and/or sell their original art

How to Apply for the utility Box Public Art Pilot Program

Application

All requirements listed below must be met or the application will be removed from consideration.

Application Form completed.
A concept drawing that shows all four sides and top of the utility box must be included in the application. Please note that utility boxes differ in size, so the diagram is for a concept drawing not necessarily to scale. Concept drawings may be hand drawn, however digital design is recommended.
The name of the Utility Box sponsor (sponsor may be the artist), if available, and the requested utility box location (location not guaranteed). Utility box artwork installations will only be completed when a location has a confirmed sponsorship. The City may connect a sponsor with an artist/artist submission in the event the sponsor has not indicated a preference for an artist

Selection Criteria

When making the selection for the Utility Box Public Art Pilot project, the following will be considered:

Artistic excellence, innovation, and originality.
Does the art meet the goals of the project?
Does the art transform the project area?
Does the art relate to the area where the utility box is located?
Does the art portray the City’s cultural diversity, historic heritage, or a key activity?

Artist Selection Process

The selection process will consist of a review and project recommendation by the Cultural Arts Commission to the City Council. Artists will be notified by the City if and when their designs are accepted. If selected to complete a Utility Box Public Art Pilot Project, artists must sign a liability release and artwork agreement before artwork will be installed. The artists will receive a $500.00 stipend when the artwork is installed. In order to receive payment, artists must submit a completed W9 form.

Once an artwork is selected, the following shall be submitted by the artist within (30) thirty days:

Final artwork and design. Artwork must be in hi-resolution digital format. If submitting a Photoshop, Illustrator, or InDesign file, please also submit a hi-resolution image file of the same artwork.

If interested, please fill out the application below. Remember to upload your artwork onto the diagram we provided.

Please correct the fields below:

Please correct the field(s) marked in red below:

Artist Name

Address

Phone Number

Phone Numberext.

How did you hear about us?

Title of Work (if applicable)

Website(s)

I certify that I have created the above artwork (please initial)

Preferred Utility Box Numbers/Locations

Rendering for Utility Box

Please attach designs for consideration by the Cultural Arts Commission. Please submit designs using the Design Template form or a reasonable facsimile. Please sign, date and return with Artist Application. I agree that: (1) my submission(s) and their contents will automatically become the property of the City of Torrance, with no guarantee of compensation to me; (2) The City of Torrance may use or redistribute the submissions and their contents for any purpose and in any way; (3) there is no obligation for the City of Torrance to review the submission; and (4) there is no obligation to keep any submissions confidential. Further, I agree to waive my rights of attribution out in the Visual Artists Rights Act, 17 U.S.C §§106A and 113(d) ("VARA"), the California Art Preservation Act, Cal. Civil Code §§ 987 and 989 ("CAPA").

Artist

Date

DISCLAIMER

I have read the attached information and agree to the rules & regulations stated. The undersigned agrees to indemnify and hold harmless, the City of Torrance, Its Council, Officers, Boards, Commissions, Agents, associated Foundations and Employees for any loss or liability which results or is alleged to have resulted from my participation in this event, including any claim arising out of the applicants entry, acts, or omissions in said contest or any accident, injury or damage involved therein, including but not limited to attorney fees and court costs. I have read and fully understand these policies. I am an adult and my signature is below.

DISCLAIMER I have read the attached information and agree to the rules & regulations stated. The undersigned agrees to indemnify and hold harmless, the City of Torrance, Its Council, Officers, Boards, Commissions, Agents, associated Foundations and Employees for any loss or liability which results or is alleged to have resulted from my participation in this event, including any claim arising out of the applicants entry, acts, or omissions in said contest or any accident, injury or damage involved therein, including but not limited to attorney fees and court costs. I have read and fully understand these policies. I am an adult and my signature is below.

Artist

Date

Design Template Sample

This is a typical utility box diagram representing the four sides and top. Please use it to submit the utility box design/images as it would be wrapped. Unique colors and bold graphics work well, along with bright images that can be seen from a distance. Please download this diagram and upload your design below. Actual utility boxes vary in size shape and have various vents, seams, doors, and handles. Be prepared to adjust artwork to fit a unique utility box.

Click on diagram to enlarge/download

Template dimensions do not accurately represent all electrical box dimensions. Most electrical boxes have various vents, seams, doors, and handles. Meters may be on one side. Your proposed design must be adjustable.

Please upload your artwork on the utility box diagram.

Click button for uploading file

Clear

Maximum size allowed: 5 MB

Allowed types: .gif, .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx, .rtf, .pdf, .txt

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Frequently Asked Questions

Expand/Contract Questions and Answers

Can artists submit more than one artwork/design with an application?
Yes, artists can submit more than one design.
How do I submit an artist application?
Applications can be found on the City of Torrance website on the Torrance Public Art page.
How can I comment regarding the art?
The public is welcome to send comments to CulturalServices@TorranceCA.Gov.
What does the city do to protect the finished design from being defaced?
Once the contractor has completed the vinyl wrapping, a UV/anti-graffiti coating will be applied. The City has contracted for graffiti abatement services that are ready to mitigate any tagging or graffiti that is reported in the City.
How long does it take to install public art on a utility box?
This varies based on the artist, utility box, location and design. Once an artwork is scheduled to be installed, a vendor will typically need one day for utility box prep and one day to install the vinyl wrap.
Are the artists from Torrance?
At this time all submitting artists are required to be from the South Bay.
What happens if a utility box gets tagged and or vandalized?
If the artwork is vandalized, the City will mitigate the graffiti or other damage to the utility box. The artist is not responsible for repair.
Is this permanent?
The utility box would be finished with a UV/anti-graffiti coating and should last between 7-10 years. The City reserves the right to remove a utility box public artwork at any time for any reason.
What are the guidelines to what design is acceptable?
The criteria require the artwork to be appropriate for the entire community to view and appropriate for its location.
How did you come up with the design and how do you transfer it to the box?
Each artist has an idea that has inspired him/her which they create into a rendering and proposal. The rendering is submitted to the Cultural Arts Commission for approval. The rendering is then scaled up to fit the size of the utility box and is applied using a durable vinyl wrap.
Are the artists being paid?
Yes, an artist receives a $500.00 stipend for their artwork per utility box design.
If I sponsor a box may I choose the artwork for the box?
Utility Box Sponsors may request a specific artwork be considered with support of their sponsorship, however, the Cultural Arts Commission will not guarantee that the requested artwork will be accepted and may choose any other artwork for the sponsored box at their sole discretion. All Utility Box art for consideration will be subject to the guidelines established in the Call for Artists.
How can I sponsor or support public art for a utility box?
Donations for the utility box public arts pilot project can be made by completing a Sponsorship Form.
Who is paying for the utility boxes to have public art?
The costs associated with utility box public art are being paid for by private sponsorships.
Why are utility boxes receiving public art?
The City of Torrance is committed to public art as a means for vibrancy, cultural uniqueness, community building, improving the quality of life, and making the City a cultural destination.

Torrance Arts & Venues

Popular Content

Torrance Utility Box Public Art Pilot Program Application

Can artists submit more than one artwork/design with an application?

How do I submit an artist application?

How can I comment regarding the art?

What does the city do to protect the finished design from being defaced?

How long does it take to install public art on a utility box?

Are the artists from Torrance?

What happens if a utility box gets tagged and or vandalized?

Is this permanent?

What are the guidelines to what design is acceptable?

How did you come up with the design and how do you transfer it to the box?

Are the artists being paid?

If I sponsor a box may I choose the artwork for the box?

How can I sponsor or support public art for a utility box?

Who is paying for the utility boxes to have public art?

Why are utility boxes receiving public art?