Traffic Boxes for Teachers

Description of Opportunity:

The City of Sugar Land’s Civic Arts Division is pleased to solicit artists who teach within the Sugar Land/Houston area to design artwork to “wrap” around traffic boxes (15 total) throughout the City of Sugar Land. This project will be the third round of traffic box installations for the City, with the first round installed in 2018. Beginning in June 2024, based on the specifications below artists will submit digital files that can be fabricated into vinyl wraps that will transform traffic signal boxes in Sugar Land from functional infrastructure into colorful and inspired works of art.  The wraps will be fabricated and installed by a professional company, rather than alternative methods utilized by other cities where the designs are painted directly onto the electrical box. This method has proven to be beneficial for Sugar Land because it ensures uniformity, correct application, and standardization. The vinyl wrap material used for this project is designed to be completely reversible and allow for more control over the quality of production. The wraps will be removed after 1-3 years depending on condition and may be removed at any time at the discretion of the City of Sugar Land. Final designs and locations are determined by the Selection Committee, a group comprised of six individuals who represent various stakeholders for the project as well as art and design professionals. Locations for the selected designs will be determined by the Selection Committee in September 2024. In total, there will be up to five traffic boxes wrapped throughout the City of Sugar Land.

Budget:

Each artist or artist team will receive a $1,200.00 fee for their design and the unlimited, licensed use of that design. Fabrication and installation of the wraps is not part of the artist’s work. This project will be administered by the City of Sugar Land’s Civic Arts Program, with assistance provided by Fort Bend Independent School District as noted herein. All payments and contracts will go through the City of Sugar Land.

Fulfilling Expectations:

• This project will fulfill the vision of the Civic Arts Public Art Program by beautifying Sugar Land and building the City’s reputation as an arts and culture destination.  
• It will align with our mission by: collaborating with City departments to commission new artworks; collaborate with developers and homeowners’ associations to commission new artworks; and promote a deeper understanding of public art.
• It will fulfill the goals of the Public Art Program by: creating memorable, meaningful places that are focal points for civic and community life; creating whimsy and delight in everyday places; and enhancing the appearance of infrastructure. 

Goals:  
Create a temporary art project that:

• Beautifies the right-of-way
• Provides a memorable welcome for visitors to Sugar Land
• Enhances an area in Sugar Land that could be a future Cultural District
• Supports the City of Sugar Land’s reputation as a place to see art
• Brightens drive for commuters
• Engages the community and builds the capacity of local arts organizations 

Locations:

The Selection Committee will assign artist designs to specific traffic box locations.

Proposed locations

  Selection Criteria:  

Criteria used to select artwork included (equally weighted):  

• appropriateness of art to the community,  
• aesthetic quality,  

• site suitability,  
• quality of previous work, and  
• commitment to carrying out the project.  

Theme:

The theme of this call is “Community”, and designs should include people (adults, children), places (landmarks), plants (nature, wildlife), and bright, vivid palettes.  It is purposefully broad to allow for open interpretation and creativity, but should be representative of the First Colony Community Services Association.

Main Traffic Box:

Traffic Box Top: 36.04 (h) x 47.00 (w) inches

Sides: 67.25 (h) x 29.50 (w) inches

Front Facing Traffic and Sidewalk: 68.36 (h) x 47.00 (w) inches

Battery Box:

Box Top: 16.51 (h) x 17.50 (w) inches

Front and Sides Facing Sidewalk/Traffic: 48.35 (h) x 17.50 (w) inches

Email proposals to: CivicArts at Sugarlandtx.gov