BEYOND THE BOX - MURAL ART PROGRAM
Guidelines & Eligibility
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The Library and the ACC have designed a program to support public art programs and to enhance the community and neighborhoods through the use of murals. The Beyond the Box – Utility Box Art Program enhances 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. The program's goal is to bring beauty to unexpected places such as public infrastructure and utility boxes.
This Call For Artists is for a Beyond The Box – Utility Box Art Program mural painting event that will take place from October 21 – 23. 2022, with selected utility boxes throughout various locations in Glendale.
The theme of this year’s Beyond the Box – Utility Box Art Program is Celebrating People with Disabilities. Images and stories in the media have the power to shape public opinion and lay down societal standards. The media seldom features people with disabilities (physical or developmental), and when it does, they are frequently represented incorrectly according to stereotypes. In order to create a society that values everyone regardless of ability, it is important to include people with disabilities in all types of media. Representation matters because people matter. It has a profound impact on how we see ourselves and others, and it shapes our expectations for what we should expect from life.
The ACC would like to encourage artists and community members to create murals 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 mural process. Artists may create a template or outline to help volunteers paint the mural, or propose another concept for involving volunteers in the mural process.
Artists will be required to prime paint their specific utility box. Artists may begin prime painting the utility boxes on Monday, October 17, 2022, and must begin painting utility boxes no later than Friday, October 21, 2022. Painting and application of the final protective coating must be completed by Sunday, October 23, 2022.
The ACC will fund $1,000.00 per utility box, inclusive of all artist’s fees, paints and materials. The ACC anticipates selecting artwork for up to fifteen (15) utility boxes. The utility boxes may maintain the integrity of the artwork for a period of 1 year (or when the City deems appropriate to re-paint the utility box).
ELIGIBILITY
This project is open to all local and regional artists. The ACC encourages applications from both new and established artists. Glendale applicants 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.
HOW TO APPLY
Interested artists, art organizations, or schools must complete the application online which can be found at the ACC website: www.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. How did you hear about this Call for Artists?
E. Have you painted a Glendale utility box in the past? Have you painted utility boxes for any other City than Glendale? Please list.
F. In the past 10 years, have you been convicted of a felony? (“Convicted” includes a verdict of guilty by a judge or jury, a plea of guilty, a plea of nolo contendere, or a forfeiture of bail.)
G. Proposed Artwork Information
Please tell us about your proposed utility box artwork. Include the title of the proposed artwork.
H. Please upload a high-resolution image of your proposed utility box artwork. Artwork must match the template provided.
I. Please list links to your artwork, including murals, utility boxes, paintings, digital artwork, etc.
J. Please list the social media and usernames you use for your art.
LOCATION INFORMATION
Artists and artist groups may request a specific or series of utility box location(s) on the application but are not guaranteed a specified location.
MURAL SPECIFICATION
The Beyond the Box - Mural Art Program is designed to encourage community pride and beautify neighborhoods. Murals will be installed in a public place and must be suitable for viewing by all ages.
The following guidelines should be followed:
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The artwork that is included in the application must resemble the art that will be painted on the box.
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Because the size of the utility box may vary slightly, be prepared to adjust your artwork to the size of the box.
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The City of Glendale, or its contractors, must have access to the components in the utility box at all times.
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Some utility boxes may have locks and control panels that will have to remain free of any art image.
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Artists may want to block off the utility box to keep the public from brushing against wet paint, but care should be given to leave at least five (5) feet of the sidewalk open for pedestrians and compliance with ADA requirements.
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When washing or painting the utility box, it should be done in a manner that no moisture gets inside the box through any vents. There are sensitive electronic components in the box.
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The vents should not be covered so as not to restrict airflow from the cabinet. Ventilation keeps the utility box from overheating.
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Door hinges should be painted so as to not lock the door in place.
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The levers/handles/keyholes on the utility boxes should not have any coating over them.
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Artwork using a majority of dark colors cannot be considered due to the potential for overheating of the utility boxes.
PAINTING & MATERIALS
Artists are responsible for prepping, priming, and painting the utility boxes. Artists will need to clean their proposed utility box and apply at least one coat of white metal primer between October 17 – 20, 2022. 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, 4. finishing with an anti-graffiti clear coat. Artists are responsible for the cleanup of their area and the 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 mural of 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:
· Approved Utility Box/ Art signage to identify the artist while working
· Paint Stool or chair for comfort
· Bucket to hold water for paint brushes
· Paint brushes
· Painters tape, masking tape
· Drop cloth or plastic sheeting, newspaper for protecting surrounded 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 airbrush or spray equipment for the mural.
· Do not paint over the electrical box on the side of the box.
REPAIR & REMOVAL
Artist will be contacted if graffiti is discovered to discuss options for graffiti removal. The City cannot be held responsible for damage caused by graffiti removal. The City may remove a mural from a utility box, at any time, for any one or more of the following reasons:
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The City determines that the mural falls under any one or more of the reasons listed under “Ineligible Entries”;
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The mural or any part of it:
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Endangers public safety or poses a public safety hazard;
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Possess a demonstrated fault in workmanship;
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Requires excessive or unreasonable maintenance;
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Is damaged irreparably (including vandalism or graffiti), or to an extent that restoration is unreasonable or impractical;
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The utility box owner requests removal; or
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The utility box is damaged or needs maintenance, repair, modification, or replacement
INELIGIBLE ARTWORK (click for more information)
TENTATIVE TIMELINE
Beyond the Box Application Opens June 27, 2022 at 10:00 a.m.
Beyond the Box Application Closes August 5, 2022 at 5:00 p.m.
Beyond the Box – Artist Review and Selection Committee August 29 – September 2, 2022
Beyond the Box – Artist Notifications September 16, 2022
Beyond the Box – Paperwork Completion September 19 – 30, 2022
Beyond the Box – Paint Priming of the utility boxes October 17 – 20, 2022
Beyond the Box – Painting of the Murals October 21 – 23, 2022
SELECTION PROCESS
Submissions will be reviewed by a selection committee consisting of Arts & Culture Commissioners and City of Glendale representatives. Once the artwork is selected, the committee will send a notification by email and formal letter and the artist(s) will be assigned the City utility box(es). Selected artists will be notified one week after the submission deadline.
SELECTION CRITERIA (click for more information)
NOTIFICATION
Selected finalists will be notified by mail and/or email. If the proposal is approved for exhibition, the applicant must sign an LAC Temporary Art Display Agreement (contract) that states the duration and location of display, describes other terms and conditions, and releases the City of any and all liability in the event of damage, loss, vandalism, or theft.
MARKETING / PUBLICITY
The artwork will be exhibited on the City web site, social media, and Glendale government television GTV6, and more regionally with press releases and postings on GlendaleArts.org. By submitting a proposal, the Exhibitor 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, 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 Exhibitor of any compensation, fee, royalty, or damages (now or later).
INSURANCE/LIABILITY (click for more information)
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Please review the City’s Temporary Art Policy, which is incorporated into and made a part of this Call for Artists.
Questions about the Call for Artists can be submitted by email to: artsandculture@glendaleca.gov