Current opportunities

Call for artists:
Transform public spaces through the Utility Box Art Program

Application deadline: 11:59 p.m. on May 30, 2025

Call summary

The King County Department of Local Services seeks submissions from local artists for artwork to be showcased on public utility boxes in two urban unincorporated areas of King County:

• East Federal Way – 9 Utility Boxes
• Skyway/West Hill – 12 Utility Boxes

Community members chose these two areas to receive funding for this project through King County’s participatory budgeting program. Through this program, community members submit ideas for improvements, projects, programs, or services that would make a positive difference in their neighborhoods and then vote to choose which of these will be funded. Since the participatory budgeting program’s launch in 2021, more than $23 million has been committed to community priorities.

Selected artists will be paid a total of $550 for 1-3 designs once the artwork is print ready for the utility box wraps and the artist contract is signed.

Project description

This program will transform plain utility boxes into unique community-inspired art, creating a more vibrant, attractive streetscape, contributing to the unique character of the unincorporated area, and creating welcoming and inclusive spaces for all in King County.

Project goals

• Celebrate the unique culture, identity, and values of our communities
• Promote equity by uplifting diverse local artists
• Enrich public spaces through bold, meaningful art
• Reflect community priorities identified through participatory budgeting

Artists have the discretion to design the theme of their artwork as they see fit; however, residents have shared that they would like to see the following themes:

• Community – unity, belonging, and connection
• Uplifting diverse cultures
• Topography of the land – natural and man-made physical features in our community
• Nature – plants and animals native to the region
• History of Skyway/West Hill or East Federal Way (community heroes, community members, historical sites)

Eligibility and selection process

Criteria for art submissions

Artists must live in King County. Preference will be given to artists who live, work, attend school, worship and or show a strong connection to the unincorporated areas of Skyway/West Hill or East Federal Way.

We encourage applications…

• From artists representing historically marginalized communities
• From both professional artists and students. Professional artists who are new to the field of public art are especially encouraged to apply
• From artists at all levels of experience—emerging and established artists welcome

Reviewers of art submissions are not eligible to apply.

Submittal requirements

All applications must be submitted online via the form linked below. There is no fee to apply or to use the application system.

Applications must include the following:

1. Artist statement (maximum of 350 words). Please include:
   • Your connection to Skyway/West Hill or East Federal Way—or, more broadly, to King County if you have no direct connection to those places
   • Why you believe your work would be appropriate for this project
2. Contact information and a short biography:
   1. Artist’s first name
   2. Artist’s last name
   3. Contact phone number
   4. Contact email address
   5. A short biography of the artist
3. Indication if your artwork is for Skyway/West Hill or East Federal Way (select the unincorporated area you are applying for)
4. Proposed design(s). Artists may submit up to three proposals for review using the design guidelines listed below. Each proposal should include the following:
   • A JPEG or PDF file of the artwork (print quality artwork will be requested upon selection)
   • A description of the artwork
   • A description of how your artwork connects to the community
5. Optional: link to an online portfolio or website

Design guidelines and requirements

We welcome a wide variety of formats suitable for digital reproduction, including but not limited to…

• Visual art (painting, illustration, mixed media)
• Digital art
• Photography
• Abstract compositions

All artwork must be original and created by the artist(s) applying for this project.

Art should be…

• Bright, bold, and inviting
• Visible from a distance
• Creativity and innovation of design are encouraged

Artwork may NOT contain…

• Political statements or persons
• Religious references, symbols, or numbers
• Copyrighted or trademarked material
• Corporate or organizational branding
• Offensive or obscene references or imagery
• Representations of traffic signals or signs

Only original artwork is accepted. Designs may not include any breach of intellectual property, trademarks, brands, or images of illegal activity, or involve the attachment of objects to the utility box.

The original artwork submissions can be created in any 2-dimensional medium.

If your artwork is selected

King County will provide detailed specifications to selected artists. Selected artists will need to submit print-quality artwork to the Department of Local Services in one of the following file types: JPEG, PDF, .ai, .psd, TIFF.

All designs will be printed on vinyl and installed on utility boxes by a third-party vendor. King County and a third-party vendor will support the artists selected with final design submissions and modifications. Artists will be assigned locations upon selection.

Selection process

Proposals submitted will be reviewed by community members and Department of Local Services staff members.

Criteria for art selection

Final selections will reflect both artistic quality and alignment with community values.

Review of proposals will be based on the following:

• Eligibility of the artist
• Relationship of the artist and the work to local communities
• Appropriateness of the scale of the artwork
• How closely the proposed artwork meets the goals set out in the Call for Artists and envisioned by the community

Estimated timeline

• Call for artists launch: April 30
• Application deadline: 11:59 pm on May 30
• Artist selection: June 30
• Final design completion: July 15
• Installation begins: fourth quarter of 2025

Compensation

Selected artists will be paid a total of $550 for 1-3 designs once the artwork is print ready for the utility box wraps and the artist contract is signed.

Artist responsibilities

• Submit a complete application by 11:59 pm on May 30
• Understand and agree to the following: Selected artwork will be digitally applied to anti-graffiti vinyl and wrapped on utility boxes that may be targeted by vandals. Art is applied to functioning equipment that may need repair or replacement. No guarantee is issued for the location or longevity of display. The installation vendor may adjust the finished piece to address installation challenges.
• The artist will be responsible for design elements on all four sides of the utility box including attached exterior cabinets. Sample images of utility boxes are on this page.
• The artist will need to be available for up to three meetings in June and July to finalize the design layout with King County and third-party vendor printing and installing the wraps. Additional communication via email may also be necessary.
• Work with the printer/installer of vinyl wraps to assist in adjusting all artwork, files, and necessary materials for printing and installation on the utility boxes.
• The artist retains the copyright of the artwork.

County responsibilities

• King County will work with a third-party vendor to install the selected designs as a graffiti-resistant vinyl wrap on each box.
• King County is responsible for maintenance of the artwork.
• King County owns all installed artwork and reserves the right to copy, reproduce, and adjust the artwork as it sees fit, in perpetuity (e.g. for program promotion, to replace the original wrap, etc.)
• King County reserves the right to remove or replace the artwork as necessary for the duration of the program.

Questions?

Send email to AskLocalServices@kingcounty.gov or call 206-477-3800 for more information or assistance.

Let your art be a part of the story that shapes our neighborhoods. Submit your work today and help transform King County’s public spaces!