Call for Digital Art for ViBe Utility Box Wraps

Call for Digital Art for ViBe Utility Box WrapsThe ViBe Creative District non-profit is seeking digital artwork submissions for use on traffic ops and lighting control boxes at the locations listed below. Entries be reviewed by the Virginia Beach Public Art Committee and Traffic Ops. Artists designs will be professionally, digitally printed on material rated to last 5 years and adhered to traffic ops boxes owned by the City of Virginia Beach by a professionally licensed contractor. This will be the 2nd installation of Utility Box Art Wraps in the ViBe District following the 2019 installation of 10 traffic ops boxes wraps.
The 2022 utility box wrap program expands the visibility of the ViBe Creative District street art along 19th Street between Parks Avenue and Baltic Avenue and at the corner of 17th Street and Pacific Avenue. 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 and sculpture. The artworks act as a visual identifier of district boundaries, provide a sense of discovery and are a place-making strategy. This is a proven public art project all across the country. The project 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 with alcohol to ensure the adhesive digital print remains intact for 3-5 years. 
SELECTED ARTISTS WILL RECIEVE A STIPEND OF $500.
This project is funded through a grant from the Virginia Beach Cultural Affairs Department.
 
LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE VIBE DISTRICT:

South East corner of 19th Street and Parks Ave- Traffic Ops pole mounted box
South East mid-block cabinet on 19th Street between Parks Ave and Cypress Ave- Traffic Ops Cabinet
South West corner of 19th Street and Baltic Ave – around corner Lighting Control Cabinet
North West corner of 19th Street and Baltic Ave – Traffic Ops pole mounted box
North West corner of 17th Street and Pacific Avenue – Traffic Ops pole mounted box

 
MAP OF PROPOSED LOCATIONS FOR 5 WRAPPED UTILITY BOXES

 
Timeline for THE VIBE DISTRICT UTILITY BOX ART PROJECT:
 
February 1-20, 2021 – Call to Artists for Digital Artwork / Press Release Announcing Project
February 20, 2021 – Deadline to Apply via Online Submission
February 25, 2022  – Review by Public Art Committee / Office of Cultural Affairs
Feb 28, 2022 – Submit for City Manager/ Deputy City Manager Final Approval
March 15, 2022 – Announce winning artists / Press Release for installation and public unveiling
April 30, 2022 – Public Unveiling: Public Art Walk to celebrate 5 new public artworks
 
VIEW PAST UTILITY BOX ARTWORKS:

2019 UTILITY bOX ART-Installation Shots

APPLY NOW!