Call For Artists: Utility Box Wraps, City of Bellevue Arts Program
Due: July 2, 2025, 11:59 PM PDT
Budget: $1,200 - $1,600 for design
Opportunity
The City of Bellevue is seeking artists to design artwork for its utility boxes. This opportunity is open to visual artists living in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties in Washington State, and working in any medium that can be digitally reproduced on a 2D vinyl wrap. Selected artists will need to deliver their final artworks in a high-quality digital format that is available for licensing to the City of Bellevue. The city will manage production and installation. Please note that this is a request for qualifications. Artists will be evaluated based on their application and prior work and are asked not to create new artwork proposals in response to this call.
About the Call
The goal of this call is to provide opportunities to local artists that will help bring character, intrigue, and beauty to the public realm. This call will wrap up to twelve (12) utility boxes located in Bellevue, WA. There are various types and configurations of utility and signal boxes, some of which are stand-alone, while others sit side by side or very near each other. Artists will receive a $1,200 stipend for single, stand-alone boxes, $1,400 for two boxes, and $1,600 for three. The most common configuration is the double set of boxes. Final box locations are yet to be determined.
After the selection process, city staff will work with the selected artists to develop artwork designs for the boxes. This call does not have a specific theme, allowing for open interpretation and creativity. Selected artists will be provided with layouts for their box to aid in drafting designs. Artists can expect their stipend in two installments: one half after the delivery of draft designs and the remainder after final layout confirmation.
Eligibility
This call is open to all visual artists living in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties, WA. Artists must provide high-quality digital files of the final artwork, which can include scans and photographs if the artwork medium is not digital. Artists must be 18+ years old at the time of contracting.
Project Timeline
| July 2, 2025 | Deadline for application submissions |
| July | Panel review of submissions and selection of artists |
| August | Notification of artist selection via email |
| September - December | Contracting and draft design development |
| January 2026 | Final design due |
| March | Final layout confirmation before production |
| April - July | Production and installation |
Please note that dates are tentative and subject to change.
Application Requirements
•Artist Application: Complete all required fields in the online application, including your primary location and the items below.
•Artist Bio: Summarize your background as well as artistic influences, training and significant achievements.
•Example Artwork: Submit up to five (5) images of example work. This call is a request for qualifications, so please do not submit proposals.
•Resume (optional)
How to Apply
Complete the online application by 11:59 pm on July 2, 2025. All applications will be collected on SurveyMonkey Apply unless other arrangements are made by June 24.
Selection Criteria and Process
Artists must meet eligibility requirements and submit complete applications. Artists will be selected based on the following criteria: artistic merit, including the quality of the artwork and artistic skill demonstrated, creativity and originality. The city seeks a diverse range of styles, skills, and approaches to engaging with the public. Artists are encouraged to submit a range of work examples.
A panel composed of representatives from the Public Art Committee (Arts Commissioners), art professionals and/or community representatives will recommend artists to city staff. The city reserves the right not to hire recommended artists.
General Design Guidelines for Selected Artists
•The artist must supply an original artwork that can be digitally reproduced on a vinyl wrap. The artwork does not need to be new; it can be an earlier work.
•The artist must own all rights to images and content used in the artwork.
•The artwork must integrate the front, back, sides, and top of the utility box.
•The artwork must be suitable for display in public spaces and viewed by a general audience, containing no text (including words, quotes, or letters), advertising, branding, or graphic depictions of violence or sexually explicit material (including nudity).
•The artwork cannot contain any representations of traffic lights, signs, or signals and should not aim to confuse or endanger drivers and pedestrians.
•The average lifespan of a vinyl wrap is typically 5-10 years. This time frame should be considered the general lifespan of the artwork.
Contact Us
For questions regarding the call and how to apply, please contact Manette Stamm at (425) 452-4064 or mstamm@bellevuewa.gov
For alternate formats, interpreters, or reasonable modification requests please phone at least 48 hours in advance 425-452-4064 (voice) or mstamm@bellevuewa.gov. For complaints regarding modifications, contact the City of Bellevue ADA, Title VI, and Equal Opportunity Officer at ADATitleVI@bellevuewa.gov.
Download the full call here: https://bellevuewa.gov/sites/default/files/media/pdf_document/2025/utility-box-wraps-program-call-for-artists-2025.pdf
Call For Artists: Utility Box Wraps
Call For Artists: Utility Box Wraps, City of Bellevue Arts Program
Due: July 2, 2025, 11:59 PM PDT
Budget: $1,200 - $1,600 for design
Opportunity
The City of Bellevue is seeking artists to design artwork for its utility boxes. This opportunity is open to visual artists living in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties in Washington State, and working in any medium that can be digitally reproduced on a 2D vinyl wrap. Selected artists will need to deliver their final artworks in a high-quality digital format that is available for licensing to the City of Bellevue. The city will manage production and installation. Please note that this is a request for qualifications. Artists will be evaluated based on their application and prior work and are asked not to create new artwork proposals in response to this call.
About the Call
The goal of this call is to provide opportunities to local artists that will help bring character, intrigue, and beauty to the public realm. This call will wrap up to twelve (12) utility boxes located in Bellevue, WA. There are various types and configurations of utility and signal boxes, some of which are stand-alone, while others sit side by side or very near each other. Artists will receive a $1,200 stipend for single, stand-alone boxes, $1,400 for two boxes, and $1,600 for three. The most common configuration is the double set of boxes. Final box locations are yet to be determined.
After the selection process, city staff will work with the selected artists to develop artwork designs for the boxes. This call does not have a specific theme, allowing for open interpretation and creativity. Selected artists will be provided with layouts for their box to aid in drafting designs. Artists can expect their stipend in two installments: one half after the delivery of draft designs and the remainder after final layout confirmation.
Eligibility
This call is open to all visual artists living in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties, WA. Artists must provide high-quality digital files of the final artwork, which can include scans and photographs if the artwork medium is not digital. Artists must be 18+ years old at the time of contracting.
Project Timeline
| July 2, 2025 | Deadline for application submissions |
| July | Panel review of submissions and selection of artists |
| August | Notification of artist selection via email |
| September - December | Contracting and draft design development |
| January 2026 | Final design due |
| March | Final layout confirmation before production |
| April - July | Production and installation |
Please note that dates are tentative and subject to change.
Application Requirements
•Artist Application: Complete all required fields in the online application, including your primary location and the items below.
•Artist Bio: Summarize your background as well as artistic influences, training and significant achievements.
•Example Artwork: Submit up to five (5) images of example work. This call is a request for qualifications, so please do not submit proposals.
•Resume (optional)
How to Apply
Complete the online application by 11:59 pm on July 2, 2025. All applications will be collected on SurveyMonkey Apply unless other arrangements are made by June 24.
Selection Criteria and Process
Artists must meet eligibility requirements and submit complete applications. Artists will be selected based on the following criteria: artistic merit, including the quality of the artwork and artistic skill demonstrated, creativity and originality. The city seeks a diverse range of styles, skills, and approaches to engaging with the public. Artists are encouraged to submit a range of work examples.
A panel composed of representatives from the Public Art Committee (Arts Commissioners), art professionals and/or community representatives will recommend artists to city staff. The city reserves the right not to hire recommended artists.
General Design Guidelines for Selected Artists
•The artist must supply an original artwork that can be digitally reproduced on a vinyl wrap. The artwork does not need to be new; it can be an earlier work.
•The artist must own all rights to images and content used in the artwork.
•The artwork must integrate the front, back, sides, and top of the utility box.
•The artwork must be suitable for display in public spaces and viewed by a general audience, containing no text (including words, quotes, or letters), advertising, branding, or graphic depictions of violence or sexually explicit material (including nudity).
•The artwork cannot contain any representations of traffic lights, signs, or signals and should not aim to confuse or endanger drivers and pedestrians.
•The average lifespan of a vinyl wrap is typically 5-10 years. This time frame should be considered the general lifespan of the artwork.
Contact Us
For questions regarding the call and how to apply, please contact Manette Stamm at (425) 452-4064 or mstamm@bellevuewa.gov
For alternate formats, interpreters, or reasonable modification requests please phone at least 48 hours in advance 425-452-4064 (voice) or mstamm@bellevuewa.gov. For complaints regarding modifications, contact the City of Bellevue ADA, Title VI, and Equal Opportunity Officer at ADATitleVI@bellevuewa.gov.
Download the full call here: https://bellevuewa.gov/sites/default/files/media/pdf_document/2025/utility-box-wraps-program-call-for-artists-2025.pdf