WOOBOX Art Project

The City of Worcester's Cultural Development Office, Worcester Cultural Coalition and Department of Transportation and Mobility invite artists to submit designs for utility boxes across the City.

Artists selected for the WooBox Art Project will receive $750 for each design chosen by the committee.

This opportunity allows local artists to make their mark and add to the activation and vibrancy of their neighborhoods. The WOOBOX Art Project aims to enhance our streets, celebrate and promote our local artists and let them tell their Worcester story through public art. Applicants will be able to contribute to public art by creating these mini-murals. Our City's Cultural Plan directs us to support public art initiatives to promote creative placemaking and advance our creative economy.

Theme: Worcester's Rich and Diverse Community

We are seeking community-inspired designs that positively reflect Worcester's diversity, highlight our rich history and present a vision for the future. We encourage artists to explore their creativity and propose innovative ideas that will reflect the spirit of Worcester.

Eligibility Criteria and Guidelines

• Priority will be given to artists or organizations living or working in Worcester.
• Project is open to established and emerging artists, arts organizations, residents, neighborhood associations or community organizations.
• Applicants must submit at least 1 and maximum 3 designs for consideration.
• Designs should cover the entire box and reflect the theme.
• Proposed designs should be submitted as follows:
• Digital Images: .jpg or .jpeg file format, minimum 1920 pixels on the longest edge and resolution of 300 ppi/dpi.
• Hard Copy: 11x17 artwork in artist's chosen medium - Download Template
• Designs may incorporate the artist's signature and make accommodations for a 4x4" QR code, as indicated in the design template.
• Design must be original. Adaptations of prior works, or works by others, must be accompanied by written consent.
• Designs must be free from derogatory imagery, profanity, religious or political assertions.
• Designs must not advertise any business or product or be misrepresented as signage.

How to Apply

Complete an Online Application (including the statement of interest and completed design templates). Alternatively, you may deliver hard copy applications and design templates to the address below:

Attention: Cultural Development
City Hall Room 409
455 Main Street
Worcester MA 01608

Project Timeline

Call for Applications will open on Tuesday, May 14 and close Monday, August 5 at 5 p.m. We will be awarding up to 37 artists based on the inventory of available boxes.

Project Award

Selected applicants will be awarded $750. Award will be disbursed within 30 days of notification of design selection.

Judging

Designs will be judged by a committee of visual art experts. The committee reserves the right to request alterations to designs under consideration. The committee reserves the right to reject a submission for any reason.

Installation

Once proposed designs are submitted in either hardcopy or digital versions, selected design will be scaled to the dimension of the utility box and applied via laminate film.

Promotions

We will provide a QR code sticker to be placed on the boxes that will be linked to an informational webpage about the project, designs and artists. The pieces will also be added to the Worcester Public Art Map. We reserve the right to use images for all marketing, promotional and reporting purposes.

Important Dates

• Call Opens: May 14, 2024
• Call Closes: August 5, 2024 at 5 p.m.