Applications for 2022 are closed.

Learn about the process, eligibility, application materials, and deadlines below, and get ready for next year!

Eligibility

Participation is open to all artists residing in Delaware County, Indiana. Artists under the age of 18, and student groups, may apply with a sponsor that meets the age requirement of eligibility. Sponsors will assist the applicant with the application and sign the application as a responsible party for the project.
All entries must be the original design and artwork of the entrant and must be suitable for viewing by all ages. Artists will be required to certify that all work submitted is original and developed by the submitting artist.
The scope of this project is limited to two-dimensional works and NO three-dimensional concepts will be considered.
Entries must not defame or invade the rights of any person, living or deceased.
Entries must be appropriate for all ages.
Offensive and/or commercial advertisements are strictly prohibited.
Only one entry per person is allowed per season. Priority is given to new applicants.

Application Materials

The application will be available from June 1 to July 15 and artists are able to submit their applications anytime during that time frame. Box selection is first come, first serve - so applying early is advised.

The submission packet must contain:

Signed and completed application form.
Design template with a rendering of the proposal for either a small or large box.
A Project Statement (500 words maximum) that describes why the artist is interested in painting a traffic signal controller box and how the artist believes the art will beautify the surrounding area.
An Artist Statement or biography with previous experience.
Three examples of previous, related work.

The application deadline is July 15. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

Application materials will not be returned.

Designs

Designs should be suitable for all citizens and age groups. No overtly religious, political, negative, or hurtful language or imagery will be considered.

Designs should be in bright or light colors. Heavy black or dark-colored designs (black backgrounds) can heat up the signal boxes on sunny days and cause them to malfunction.
Designs will be painted directly onto the boxes using acrylic paint or acrylic spray paint available through the Art Mart. Other materials cannot be applied to the boxes.
Designs will not be painted on the handles, locking mechanisms, poles, or concrete bases, or anywhere that has not been primed.
Do you have questions? Let us know! We are happy to help!

Locations

Applicants are encouraged to consider locations relevant to them – near where they live, where they work, or where they play!

The Delaware County Office of Geographic Information created the Box! Box! Interactive Map as well as a list of available boxes to assist applicants with locating traffic control boxes that qualify for the program. City-owned boxes are the only eligible boxes for this program – they are coded in orange. You can click on the box for more information about that box. Some boxes are large, some are small, and some have only three available sides for painting.

Boxes that are green have already been painted! Learn more about the box by clicking on the green icon. Avoid falling in love with any of the orange boxes with an X INDOT locations – those are not qualifying locations. The interactive map will help you determine whether a box near you is available!

We highly recommend giving your preferred boxes a quick drive-by when you apply. Each box is unique and has its own quirks (i.e. placement, surrounding structures, attachments, number of paintable sides, etc).

Site Specifications

A design template sample for each type of control box is provided to assist in the visualization of the proposal. A design template must be submitted as part of the full application. Both design templates are included in the application packet, but you only need to use one. Some boxes only have 3 paintable sides, so be sure to check your desired location.

View the Box! Box! Small Design Template
View the Box! Box! Large Design Template

We encourage artists to visit their desired locations to assess the spatial and environmental needs specific to each individual traffic box. Take note of parking, distance to restroom facilities, and any environmental conditions like sun/shade that might present a challenge.

Project Timeline

Artist notifications will be sent via email within one month of the application submission.
A contract will be required for all selected projects.
Artists painting 3 sided boxes will receive a $100 stipend for participation. Artists painting small boxes will receive $175 stipend for participation. Artists painting large boxes will receive a $250 stipend for participation. Stipends are paid upon completion of the selected proposal.
Artists will also receive a supply stipend of $100 for large boxes, $75 for small boxes, and $50 for 3 sided boxes, via a gift certificate for paint and other necessary supplies available at Art Mart. This stipend can only be used for the approved materials. Any surplus of the stipend will go back into the project.
Locations must be ready for final anti-graffiti top-coat within one month following approval of the application. The summer season deadline for completion of all projects is September 15th.

Worksite Safety Procedures

Each artist will be given instructions to maximize safety for themselves and the general public while painting on-site. It is the responsibility of the artist that they comply with recommended safety protocols.

Health and Safety Requirements

MuncieArts will provide:

Pedestrian signs
Safety vests (must be worn at all times when on-site)
Safety cones (as needed)

Safety while on-site:

The artist is NOT, under any circumstances, allowed to stand in the gutter or roadway while engaged in this project.
Do not block sidewalks, crosswalks or traffic lanes while painting your signal box.
Use traffic cones and/or caution tape to block off your working area.

On-site requirements:

Cover the space surrounding your work area with a drop cloth.
Use a protective facemask to screen out fumes and consider using eye protection as well.
Use low-tack masking tape to mask off areas that must remain unpainted.
Do not block or cover vents, keyholes, or light sensors. These are necessary to make the signal control box work as intended.
If using aerosol techniques, do not direct paint upward around the vent area. Avoid paint entering the box and damaging the sensitive electronics used to control the traffic signals.
Allow paint to dry thoroughly between coats or layers unless you are blending wet-on-wet as an effect.
Clean up spills while paint is still wet and easy to remove. This will save power-washing of spilled paint after it has dried. Artists are liable for any citations from the City.
Do not dump excess paint, paint residue or paint-water into the city sewer system or into the grass or soil around the box. Remove your paint waste and dispose of it properly. For more information, visit https://www.munciesanitary.org/household-hazardous-waste or contact East Central Recycling by phone at 765-282-1900
We encourage participants to donate any left-over paint and supplies back to MuncieArts to help reduce costs for the next group of participants.