Call for digital art ​

​

UTILITY BOX ART WRAPS 

The Hagerstown Arts & Entertainment District is seeking digital artwork submissions to wrap traffic signal controller utility boxes at the locations listed below. Entries will be reviewed and selected by the Hagerstown Arts & Entertainment Public Art and Design Work Group. Selected designs will be professionally, digitally printed on material rated to last five years and adhered to utility boxes owned by the City of Hagerstown and Maryland State Highway Administration. The first installation will include seven locations of Utility Box Art Wraps in the Hagerstown A&E District.

The 2023 utility box wrap program will expand visibility throughout the Hagerstown Arts & Entertainment District. A call for artists who work in digital media expands the current offerings of artistic programming in the district, which to date has been primarily focused on painted artworks, photography, and sculpture. The digital artwork will provide a sense of discovery and is a place-making strategy. This is a proven public art project all across the country that reinforces that the district is a walkable neighborhood to view art.

​

Artists will be asked to submit digital artwork designs. The professional printers and installers will ensure that the boxes remain fully functional, with all doors opening and all vents open. Prior to installation the utility boxes are cleaned to ensure the adhesive digital print remains intact for 3-5 years. 

SELECTED ARTISTS WILL RECEIVE A STIPEND OF $300.
Up to seven artists will have their work selected and installed. This project is funded through a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council.

​

The deadline for artwork submission is Wednesday April 19, 2023 at 4:30 PM.
 
PHASE I UTILITY BOX LOCATIONS IN THE A&E DISTRICT:

• Summit Avenue /West Washington Street

• East Franklin Street/North Locust Street

• North Potomac Street/East Franklin Street

• South Potomac Street / Antietam Street

• South Potomac Street/ Baltimore Street

• Market Walk/West Franklin Street

• South Mulberry Street /East Baltimore Street

​

UTILITY BOX DIMENSIONS

All boxes are four sided with the following dimensions: H:4’1”, W: 2’6”, L: 1’5”. Photos are below for a visual. Please provide a digital submission that fits these specifications.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Please note that some faces are interrupted by electric meters, cabinet vents, and disconnect boxes. The City reserves the right to alter the design to fit the box.

​

SELECTION CRITERIA:                                                                                                                

The applicant’s design should demonstrate:

• Artistic or design excellence and technical merit

• Relevance to community streetscape

​

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:                                                                                    

Please complete the form below to be considered for this opportunity. 

1. A brief Artist’s Statement, in PDF or Word format, not to exceed one page, describing the artist interest and design intent

2. Utility Box Art Wraps design submission which includes:

• ​​pdf or jpeg file format only

• No smaller than 1920 pixels on the longest side

• 72 ppi/dpi

• 5 MB maximum file size