Artful Infrastructure Program

Public Art, Outside of the Box

Traffic control boxes serve an important infrastructure role in our community every day. Now, the boxes also serve as canvases for local artists.

The City of Tallahassee “Artful Infrastructure Program” expands on “Art of the Box,” a successful pilot program in partnership with KCCI, to enhance streetscapes and bring art outdoors into our community.

About the Program

The City of Tallahassee’s vision is to be “A creative capital city that supports a strong community with vibrant neighborhoods; an innovative economic and educational hub serving diverse and passionate people, protecting our natural resources and preserving our unique character.” To advance this vision, the City’s Five-Year Strategic Plan outlines priority areas including Public Infrastructure and Quality of Life:

“To be a creative and inclusive community with beautiful public spaces that protect and promote resources and culture.” Priority Area: Quality of Life
“To be a leading publicly-owned utility that supports a growing and progressive community; and To be a city with an efficient public transit network supported by well-connected roads, sidewalks, transit amenities, and public transportation.” Priority Area: Public Infrastructure

Art Infrastructure box getting its picture taken

Public art has long been a beloved feature in Tallahassee and the City first debuted artwork on its traffic control boxes in 2012. By featuring local artists’ work on publicly owned assets, these efforts help preserve the unique characteristics of a community or neighborhood. Installing public artwork on infrastructure is another way the City is supporting artists and working with neighborhoods to enhance their identity and preserve their history. The City of Tallahassee encourages uplifting, inspiring, or environmentally enhancing artwork that reflects the culture or spirit of Tallahassee. As part of the “Art of the Box” Pilot Project, which was launched in 2020 in partnership with Knight Creative Communities Institute (KCCI), traffic control boxes were wrapped with local artists’ work at locations around the community. Following this successful pilot project, traffic boxes were wrapped in coordination with LeMoyne Arts and Maclay School. Look for a box sponsored by Gilchrist Elementary School coming soon.

Frequently Asked Questions

ARTIST QUESTIONS

How do I submit work for consideration?
Submissions are accepted online here.

Will I be paid for my design?
If your work is selected, you will be paid $250 for the use of your design in the Artful Infrastructure Program. Your name and/or signature may appear in your design.

Can I submit work I already have, or does it need to be a custom piece?
Either is acceptable. The design must be your original work and you must have the rights to share.

May I submit more than one design?
Artists may submit up to three designs for consideration.

Do I need to be a City of Tallahassee resident to submit a design?
Yes, this program is open to all artists residing in Tallahassee.

What if my design gets vandalized?
All wraps have an anti-graffiti coating to help prevent this from happening. Should any graffiti attempts occur, the City will make every effort to clean the box. The work remains the creation of the artists who will be noted for their design.

Can I include the design and traffic box image in my portfolio, website or social media?
Yes, we encourage artists to showcase their Artful Infrastructure Program designs. The City of Tallahassee uses the hashtag #TallahasseeProud on social media.

Are Letters of Support required?
Letters of Support are not required to submit artwork for consideration, but if you have a Letter of Support from a business or community organization located near your desired box location, you may upload the letter through the submission form. The City or organization sponsoring the wrapping of the box may also seek feedback from nearby businesses or property owners on your design.

What is the size of the electric boxes?
For reference, the dimensions for a typical traffic control box are as follows:
27” X 63½” front and back
22 ½” X 63 ½” left and right sides

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Eligibility

All City of Tallahassee residents are eligible to submit artwork for consideration for the Artful Infrastructure Program. If an artist is under 18 years of age, a guardian letter of permission is required with the online submission.

Design Submission Requirements

The artwork must not contain any traffic control shapes, symbols, text or be reflective in color
Artwork cannot contain business names, brands, trademarks, logos, addresses, websites, social media links, phone numbers, or other promotional or copyright language

Disclaimer

Public Record – Artwork submitted for consideration is a public record, subject to the Florida Public Records Act.
Vandalism – All wraps will have an anti-graffiti coating to help prevent vandalism. Should any graffiti attempts occur, the City will make every effort to clean the box. The work remains the creation of the artists who will be noted for their design.
Natural Elements – To avoid heat sensitivity, the artwork must not be overly dark in color.

Payment

If a design is selected for inclusion in the program, the artist will be compensated $250 by the City of Tallahassee. Payment will be made by after the installation is complete.

Sponsorship