Signal Cabinet & Utility Box Public Art Project

The Town of Blacksburg Public Arts Committee is seeking design submissions from artists who are local, regional, or familiar with the Blacksburg area. Designs will be installed on utility boxes or traffic signal cabinets at selected intersections around town. Blacksburg has a unique identity; its recognizable features contribute to the collective feeling of belonging that characterizes the community.

The project theme, You Are Here is meant to convey a sense of place and can be interpreted in many ways. Each site is different, and designs should consider the specific location, characteristics of the site, and relevant relationship to the Town or Town history. Artists are encouraged to consider their personal connection to the theme. Consideration in design should be given to viewing the piece by motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. Traffic signal boxes may only be wrapped in heat-applied vinyl; utility boxes may be wrapped with heat-applied vinyl or painted.

The selection committee will evaluate submissions based on artistic quality, originality, responsiveness to the theme, and relationship to the specific site.

Submissions are accepted via email and must be submitted by Friday, December 15, 2023, to be considered by the selection committee. Artists should submit digital files, in the form of Vector, PNG, JPEG, PDF, etc.

Artists chosen for installation will be paid a stipend per site of $1,000 upon completion of the work. This stipend is separate from material costs. For more details on the stipend, Town responsibilities, artist responsibilities, and more, please see the Call to Artists document.

Before submitting a design for consideration, interested artists must fully review the provided documents to understand the scope of the project.
The document files are large and may take a moment to load.

• Call to Artists: details project information, requirements, and pertinent deadlines
• Site Photos and Dimensions
• Supply Resource Page
• Design Submission Form

To submit a design:

1. Please fill out the Design Submission Form located under the Documents tab and submit it along with the proposed design.
2. Submitted design(s) must be as complete as possible and should include:
   1. Any colors the artist intends to use.
   2. Proposed designs for all sides of the box(es), including the top.
   3. The You are Here teal arrow symbol.