GRANTS PASS, OR. — The City of Grants Pass, in collaboration with the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), is launching a new phase of its Utility Box Art Project and is currently calling for local artists, students, and creative teams to submit designs for public art installations. The project seeks to continue its mission of turning ordinary traffic control boxes into vibrant, eye-catching works of art that enrich the community and beautify public spaces.
Now in its latest installment, the Utility Box Art Project is a creative initiative that transforms pole-mounted utility boxes throughout Grants Pass into visual landmarks. The aim is to promote a lively and engaging city atmosphere through art that is family-friendly, nature-inspired, and accessible to all ages. Designs should reflect elements of wildlife, animals, plants, and the natural environment while helping deter graffiti and promote civic pride.
The artwork selected will be printed as vinyl wraps and applied to utility boxes located throughout the city. All four sides and the top of each utility box must be covered in the submitted designs. The City of Grants Pass will provide all necessary materials for the installation process, and selected artists will receive a stipend of $350 for each completed box.
In keeping with the spirit of community collaboration, the project is supported by a number of local and state partners, including the Thursday Rotary Club, ODOT, and the Josephine County Cultural Coalition. Oversight for the selection process and overall project direction is handled by the City’s Committee on Public Art (CoPA), with final approvals from both the City Council and ODOT.
Artists interested in participating must submit a comprehensive application package that includes a color conceptual design showing the artwork layout for the utility box, a written artist statement, a resume or recommendation letter (for students), and examples of previous work. Youth entries are encouraged and may include a written paragraph about their design inspiration in place of formal application components. All artwork must be original, and entries that include offensive content, political or religious references, copyrighted images, or AI-generated art will not be considered.
All submitted art must be suitable for public display in a wide variety of community spaces. While the project encourages bold designs and colors for visibility, the content must remain appropriate and accessible to all segments of the population. Artists are also reminded that once selected, the work becomes the property of the City of Grants Pass, with a waiver of artist rights included in the signed agreement. For artists under 18, a parent or guardian signature is required.
This year’s available boxes are all pole-mounted types, each in various neighborhoods around the city. A map of box locations is available through the city for artists to determine the placement and influence of their design choices. Site preparation and installation of the artwork must be completed within 45 days of final approval. Artists may submit more than one design proposal and are encouraged to tailor their concepts to the neighborhoods where the boxes are located.
Completed application packages must be received by the City of Grants Pass no later than 5:00 p.m. on August 15, 2025. Submissions can be sent by email to Dana Pearce, Economic Development Specialist, at dpearce@grantspassoregon.gov with the subject line “Art Box Project,” or by mail to City Hall at 101 NW A Street, Grants Pass, OR 97526.
After the application deadline, CoPA will review all entries and select five finalists, who may be invited for interviews either in person or via teleconference. Final selections will be forwarded to the City Council and ODOT for final approval. All applicants will be notified of their status following the review process.
The Utility Box Art Project continues to serve as a celebration of local talent and creativity while encouraging civic engagement and public appreciation for the arts. For more information or questions, artists can contact Dana Pearce at (541) 450-6071.