BEYOND THE BOX - MURAL ART PROGRAM

OVERVIEW

Under this Call for Artists (“CFA”), the Library, Arts & Culture Department (“Library”) of the City of Glendale (“City”) — on behalf of the City’s Arts & Culture Commission (“ACC”) — is accepting proposals from qualified candidates who would like to participate in its’ Beyond the Box – Mural Art Program (“Program”).  A successful applicant will be required to adhere to the Program requirements set forth herein below.

​

ELIGIBILITY

This project is open to all local and regional artists. The ACC encourages applications from both new and established artists. Glendale artists may be given preference if all else is equal. Artists may apply as an individual artist or as a group. For group submissions, a signed Release of Liability and Indemnity Agreement for each participating artist must be included in addition to the application form and design template. Group submissions may be for a single utility box or multiple utility boxes. No more than three submissions per individual or group. City of Glendale employees are not eligible to apply.

​

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The Glendale Arts and Culture Commission (ACC) sponsors programs that enhance the aesthetics of the City, promotes civic pride, increases pedestrian traffic and extends public art to new areas and unexpected places while creating an attractive environment and allowing art to be introduced to the public in a creative and inventive way. This Call for Artists is for a Beyond the Box – Mural Art Program, which is an art painting event that will take place from October 12 – 18, 2026 with selected utility boxes throughout various locations in Glendale. The program goal is to bring beauty to unexpected places such as public infrastructure and utility boxes.

​​

Artists will be required to prime paint their specific utility box. Artists may begin prime painting the utility boxes on Monday, October 12, 2026, and must begin painting the utility boxes no later than Friday, October 16, 2026. Painting and application of the final protective coating must be completed by Sunday, October 18, 2026.

​

The ACC will fund $1,200.00 per utility box, inclusive of all artist’s fees, paints and materials. The ACC anticipates selecting artwork for up to fifteen (15) utility boxes (see EXHIBIT A for utility box locations for consideration). The utility boxes may maintain the integrity of the artwork for a period of 1 year (or when the City, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate to remove or re-paint the utility box).​​

​

The ACC would like to encourage artists and community members to create art in the City to beautify the streetscape by incorporating the theme as inspiration for proposal submissions. Artists are not required but highly encouraged to incorporate volunteers into the art process. Artists may create a template or outline to help volunteers paint the art or propose another concept for involving volunteers in the art process.

 

THEME: EMBRACING ARTISTRY

The theme of this year’s Program is Embracing Artistry. The Arts & Culture Commission invites artists to propose designs depicting all forms of artistry such as impressionism (an art technique that uses light and movement in everyday scenes), tromp l'oeil (an art technique that uses realistic imagery to create an optical illusion of three-dimensional space on a flat surface), super graphic (an art technique that is features bold, large-scale, and geometric, abstract patterns), and street art (an art technique that utilized contemporary, dynamic, and colorful styles). All artistic genres are encouraged.

​

HOW TO APPLY

Interested artists, art organizations, or schools must complete the application online which can be found at the ACC website: GlendaleArtsandCulture.org/BeyondTheBox. Hard copy applications will not be accepted. The application includes the following information which will need to be completed:

​

A. Artist Name

B. Street Address, City, State, Zip Code

C. Email & Phone

​

D. Have you painted a Glendale utility box in the past? Have you painted utility boxes for any City other than Glendale? If so, please list.

​

E. Proposed Artwork - Description

• Please tell us about your proposed utility box artwork. Include the title of the proposed artwork.

​

F. Proposed Artwork - Design

• Please upload a high-resolution image of your proposed utility box artwork. Artwork must match the template provided in Exhibit C.

​

G. Please upload up to three (3) attachments of your previous artwork, including murals, utility boxes, paintings, digital artworks, etc.

​​

H. Please list websites and/or social media handles you use for your art.

​​

I. How did you hear about this Call for Artists?

​

PROGRAM SPECIFICATIONS

The Program is designed to encourage community pride and beautify neighborhoods. Art to be installed on public utility boxes will be installed in a public place and must be suitable for viewing by all ages.

​

The following guidelines should be followed:​

• The artwork that is included on the application must resemble the art that will be painted on the box.

• The size of the utility box may vary slightly, therefore be prepared to adjust your artwork to the size of the box.

• The City of Glendale, or its contractors, must have access to the components in the utility box at all times.

• Some utility boxes may have locks and control panels that will have to remain free of any art image.

• Artists may need to provide a buffer around the utility box to prevent the public from brushing against wet paint. Artists must consult with the Department of Public Works to obtain the necessary clearances prior to installing any barriers on the public right of way (sidewalk or street). Any barriers must comply with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility requirements.

• Utility boxes contain sensitive electronic components. Washing or painting the utility box should be done in a manner that no moisture gets inside the box through any vents or openings.

• The vents shall not be covered so as not to restrict airflow from the cabinet. Ventilation keeps the utility box from overheating.

• Door hinges should not be painted so as to not lock the door in place.

• The levers/handles/keyholes on the utility boxes shall not be covered in vinyl.

• Artwork using a majority of dark colors cannot be considered due to the potential for overheating of the utility boxes.

​​

PAINTING & MATERIALS REQUIREMENTS

Artists are responsible for prepping, priming, and painting the utility boxes. Artist will need to clean their proposed utility box and apply at least one coat of white metal primer between October 12 – 15, 2026. Artists will need to apply a colored base coat. Several sequential steps will be needed to complete the project, including: 1. sand, 2. prime, 3. paint with acrylics, and 4. finishing with anti-graffiti clear coat. Artists are responsible for cleanup of their area and safe disposal of all paint materials.

 

Artists may only use acrylic paint: Golden or Liquitex high viscosity paint, lightfastness 1, with low sheen, eggshell or satin finish. Artists are responsible for applying a coat on top of the Liquitex Soluvar. This is not permanent varnish but is weather and UV resistant and will enable better graffiti clean off if needed.

 

Below is a comprehensive checklist of highly recommended supplies for the best painting outcome and your personal comfort. This may not be a complete list as all artists work differently:

• Acrylic paint

• Approved Utility Box/Art signage to identify the artist while working

• Paint stool or chair for comfort

• Paint brushes

• Bucket to hold water for paint brushes

• Painters tape, masking tape

• Drop cloth, plastic sheeting, or newspaper for protecting surrounding area

• Biodegradable cleanser

• Rags and/or paper towels

• Shade/umbrella

Please be ADVISED:

• Do not paint over/obliterate any identification numbers/codes on the box, if any. Paint around them.

• Do not paint over keyholes or paint keyhole covers so that they cannot be opened.

• Do not obstruct vents.

• Do not use airbrushes or spray equipment.

• Do not paint over the electrical box located on the side of the utility box.

​

LOCATION INFORMATION

Exhibit A includes a list of 15 proposed utility box locations for reference. Artists and artist groups may request a specific utility box location on the application but are not guaranteed a specified location.

​

REPAIR & REMOVAL

If an artist’s utility box artwork is graffitied, the City will contact the Artist to discuss options for graffiti removal. The City cannot be held responsible for damage caused by graffiti removal. The City may remove art from a utility box, at any time, in its sole and absolute discretion, including, but not limited to, for any of the following reasons:

• The City determines that the artwork falls under any one or more of the reasons listed under “Ineligible Artwork”;

• The artwork, or any part of it:

  • Endangers public safety or poses a public safety hazard;

  • Possess a demonstrated fault in workmanship;

  • Requires excessive or unreasonable maintenance;

  • Is damaged irreparably (including vandalism or graffiti), or to an extent that restoration is unreasonable or impractical;

• The utility box owner requests removal; or

• The utility box is damaged or needs maintenance, repair, modification, or replacement.

​

INELIGIBLE ARTWORK

Artwork is ineligible, for any one or more of the following reasons, if the artwork:

• Contains:

  • A copyrighted or trademarked image or logo;

  • A brand or business name;

  • A website or social media link; (*)

  • Address or phone number; (*)

• Is plagiarized, stolen, or copied from another source;

• Defames or invades the rights of any person, living or dead;

• Is likely to:

  • Incite or produce an imminent lawless act;

  • Disrupt the orderly operation of the facility exhibiting the art;

• Is integral to criminal conduct or violates the law;

• Is not family friendly, suitable for public display, or suitable for viewing by all ages; or

• May reasonably be construed as:

  • False or fraudulent;

  • Obscene matter, as defined in California Penal Code Section 311 or any successor legislation;

  • Harmful matter for minors as defined in California Penal Code Section 313 or any successor legislation; or

  • Child pornography, as defined in California Penal Code Section 311.1(a) or 311.2(b), or any successor legislation.

​

(*) Inclusion of such information could jeopardize artist payment, could result in the removal of the artist's entire work, and/or the removal of just the offending information, which could, by its nature, jeopardize the artistic integrity of the work.

​

Important: Artwork not adhering to these guidelines will not be considered.

​

SELECTION PROCESS

The ACC anticipates receiving more than 100 submissions. Submissions will be reviewed in a three-step review process. The initial review of applications (Step #1) will consist of City of Glendale representatives who will review all submissions and score the applications. The secondary review of applications (Step #2) will consist of City of Glendale representatives and Arts & Culture Commissioners who will discuss the top 20 applications and select up to 15 artists as finalists for the Program. The final review (Step #3) will consist of the presentation of the finalists to the Arts & Culture Commission for final approval. City of Glendale representatives will send a notification by email and formal letter, and the selected artists will be assigned to a utility box. Selected artists will be notified approximately two months after the submission deadline.

​

SELECTION CRITERIA

The following criteria will be considered in evaluating all proposals: 

 

• Quality of Proposed Artwork (35%)

Library staff, in consultation with the ACC, will review and make selections based on the artist’s skill originality, skill and/or craftsmanship, and creativity of proposed artwork. In addition, the artist’s use of the provided template will be considered.

​

• Artistic Excellence (25%)

Library staff, in consultation with the ACC, will review and make selections based on the artist’s statement and career experience, samples of previous artwork, and the artist’s interest in activating a public space through art.

 

• Alignment with the “Embracing Artistry” Theme (25%)

Library staff, in consultation with the ACC, will review and make selections based on the artist’s ability to incorporate the “Embracing Artistry” theme as inspiration for the proposal.

 

• Appropriateness (15%)

Library staff, in consultation with the ACC, will review proposals to ensure the artwork is sensitive to social, environmental, historical, and/or relevant contexts, and that the artwork is suitable for all ages. ​

​​​

RESERVATION OF RIGHTS

The City may reject a proposal as non-responsive, in its sole and absolute discretion, if the proposal fails to document that the artist meets the above-requirement(s) or if the proposal fails to adhere to the above-guideline(s).

 

The City reserves the right to reject the proposal of any artist who has previously failed to perform properly, or complete on time, contracts of a similar nature, or to reject the proposal of an artist who is not in a position to perform such a contract satisfactorily. The City expressly reserves the right to reject the proposal of any artist who is in default of the payment of taxes, agreements or other monies due to the City of Glendale.

 

This Call for Artists and the proposal evaluation process do not:

• Obligate the City to accept or select any proposal; or

• Constitute an agreement by the City that it will actually enter into a contract with any artist.

 

When it best serves the City’s interests, the City may do any one or more of the following:

• Reject any proposal or all proposals at its sole discretion.

• Extend the deadline for accepting proposals.

• Accelerate the pace of the Call for Artists process if only one or a handful of proposals is received.

• Waive any or all information, defects, irregularities, or informalities in a proposal.

• Accept amendments to proposals after the submission deadline.

• Revise, change, or amend the Call for Artists’ evaluation or selection criteria before the submission deadline.

• Cancel, withdraw, revise, change, amend, or negotiate the terms of this Call for Artists, the proposed Contract, or both.

• Reissue a Call for Artists.

• Conduct one or more oral interviews.

• Visit an artist’s business or facilities.

• Examine financial records of an artist to the extent necessary to ensure financial stability.

• Make a partial award.

• Negotiate with one or more artist(s).

• Award a Contract to one or more artist(s).

• Require a best and final offer from one or more artist(s).

• Provide or perform the services using a City officer or employee, or contract directly— without a Call for Artists or bids — for the services.

​

NOTIFICATION / CONTRACT

Selected finalists will be notified by email.  If the art is approved for exhibition, the artist must sign the Artist’s Agreement, Beyond the Box – Utility Box Art Program, which includes a Consent, License, and Liability Release Agreement (“Agreement”).  

​

The Agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit “B”. Please review the Agreement and submit any questions and/or concerns you may have regarding the Agreement before or at the time you submit your application.

​

Artists submitting an application expressly acknowledge and agree that the artist has read this BEYOND THE BOX – UTILITY BOX ART PROGRAM - CALL FOR ARTISTS, and has read, understands and is able to enter into the Agreement.

​

MARKETING / PUBLICITY

The artwork may be exhibited on the City web site, social media, Glendale government television GTV6, and more regionally with press releases and postings on GlendaleArtsandCulture.org. By submitting a proposal, the artist irrevocably grants City, its officers, agents, and employees (“City and its representatives”) the unconditional right and permission to photograph, record (audio, or video, or both), broadcast, distribute, reproduce, copy, sell, exhibit, publish, and use the photographs and recordings of the artwork or performance, in whole or in part, in any medium now or later developed, for any purpose, without charge to the City and without payment to the artist of any compensation, fee, royalty, or damages (now or later).

​

When the City uses the artist’s images or the artwork for promoting arts programming, the City will endeavor to identify the artist and give credit to the artist, whenever possible, but the City will not be liable to the artist for an error in or omission of the artist’s identification or the artist’s credit for the artwork.

​

INSURANCE/LIABILITY

Selected artists are required to comply with the City’s insurance and liability requirements.​