Project Information

Bid Title

Call for Artists - Utility Box Art 2026

Issuing Agency

City of Dublin

Location

California

Published Date

Mar 4, 2026

Closing Date

Apr 20, 2026

Government Level

State & Local

Status

Closed

Original Source

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Bid Documents

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Project Description

Bid Title:	Call for Artists - Utility Box Art 2026
Category:	Parks and Community Services
Status:	Open

Description: The City of Dublin invites qualified professional artists and student artists working under the supervision of a professional artist or art teacher to submit designs for painted utility boxes. Utility Box Art is popular throughout the Bay Area as a cost-effective way to bring public art to City streets, define neighborhoods and deter graffiti. All the boxes are traffic signal cabinets owned by the City of Dublin. Boxes will be awarded to up to ten different artists based on design. The City will pay a stipend of $1,000 to each artist or, if the artist is a student or student team, to the supervising professional artist or art teacher. The stipend is intended to cover the cost of the artist's design fee as well as the materials that will be necessary to paint the utility box. Artists are responsible for preparing, painting, and sealing the utility boxes. The City will provide the materials to clean, primer, and seal the utility box, while artists are required to provide all necessary high quality, professional painting materials. Approved paint brands include Nova Color, Golden Artist Colors, Liquidtex Professional Acrylics, Viponds Paint, or approved equal. Artwork created under this program is considered temporary artwork and the property of the City of Dublin. As such, the City retains the right and sole discretion to remove, modify or replace the artwork. Situations in which the City may exercise this right include if the image or utility box is damaged, if the artist fails to complete the painting as shown on the approved design rendering or if the artist fails to complete the painting in a timely fashion. Artist must reside within the nine Bay Area Counties (Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Fracisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano and Sonoma). The artist’s name, artwork title, and photo of the artwork will be featured on the City of Dublin website and other promotional materials. Publication Date/Time: 3/3/2026 12:00 AM Closing Date/Time: 4/20/2026 11:59 PM Contact Person: Henry Siu 925-556-4509 Henry.Siu@Dublin.CA.Gov Related Documents: Call for Artists - Utility Box Design 2026 Final

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CALL FOR ARTISTS

Utility Box Art Project

“Where Else But Dublin”

CALL ISSUE DATE: March 3, 2026

CALL DEADLINE: April 20, 2026, 12:00 a.m.(midnight)

The City of Dublin invites qualified professional artists and student artists working

under the supervision of a professional artist or art teacher to submit designs for

painted utility boxes.

Utility Box Art is popular throughout the Bay Area as a cost-effective way to bring

public art to City streets, define neighborhoods and deter graffiti. All the boxes are

traffic signal cabinets owned by the City of Dublin. Boxes will be awarded to up to ten

different artists based on design.

The City will pay a stipend of $1,000 to each artist or, if the artist is a student or student

team, to the supervising professional artist or art teacher. The stipend is intended to

cover the cost of the artist's design fee as well as the materials that will be necessary to

paint the utility box.

Artists are responsible for preparing, painting, and sealing the utility boxes. The City

will provide the materials to clean, primer, and seal the utility box, while artists are

required to provide all necessary high quality, professional painting materials.

Approved paint brands include Nova Color, Golden Artist Colors, Liquidtex

Professional Acrylics, Viponds Paint, or approved equal.

Artwork created under this program is considered temporary artwork and the property

of the City of Dublin. As such, the City retains the right and sole discretion to remove,

modify or replace the artwork. Situations in which the City may exercise this right

include if the image or utility box is damaged, if the artist fails to complete the painting

as shown on the approved design rendering or if the artist fails to complete the painting

in a timely fashion.

Artist must reside within the nine Bay Area Counties (Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin,

Napa, San Fracisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano and Sonoma).

The artist’s name, artwork title, and photo of the artwork will be featured on the City of

Dublin website and other promotional materials.

DESIGN THEME:

• “Where Else But Dublin" is a theme developed for this year’s utility box art

project where the artist’s interpretation is encouraged to be as creative as

possible when developing images and designs that capture this theme.

• A QR code, approximately 3”x 3” will be placed near the bottom of your artwork

so please keep that in mind while designing.

• In addition to the themes, proposing artists are encouraged to review the City’s

existing utility box art collection and develop proposals that are unique and

unlike anything the City already has. To view the current utility box art

collection please visit https://dublin.ca.gov/1928/Utility-Box-Art

ARTWORK LOCATION:

All utility boxes are located at intersections within the City of Dublin. 2026 utility box

locations:

1. Amador Plaza Rd x Amador Valley Blvd

2. Tassajara Dr x Gleason Dr

3. Tassajara Dr x Fallon Rd

4. Fallon Rd x Silvera Ranch Dr.

5. Dublin Blvd x Carnimore Place

6. Dublin Blvd x Glynnis Rose

7. Dublin Blvd x Sierra Ct.

8. Arnold Dr. x Horizon Pkwy.

Artists may specify which utility box they are interested in painting, or if they have no

preference. However, the City reserves the right to assign utility boxes at its discretion.

DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS:

• Artwork should align with the design them as stated above.

• Artwork should follow the City’s Values, which are part of the adopted Mission

and Vision statements. Values include safety, inclusivity, diversity, equality, and

history. To view the City’s full Mission and Vision statements please visit

www.dublin.ca.gov/72/Mission-Vision.

• Artwork must be suitable for all ages and in keeping with community values.

• Artwork must be an original design and the artwork of the applicant.

• Artwork must be painted in fade-resistant acrylic paint.

• Artwork may include the artist’s signature, no larger than 5”x 7.”

Page 2 of 6

ART SELECTION PROCESS:

Staff will review applications for completeness. The Heritage and Cultural Arts

Commission will review designs at its May 7, 2026, meeting and make

recommendations to the City Council. The City Council will review recommended

designs and select artists at its regular meeting June 2, 2026. These dates are tentative

and subject to change.

Selected artists will be asked to sign a Public Art Agreement, including standard

liability waiver and release. In the case of underage artists, the City will enter into the

agreement with the supervising professional artist or art teacher. Underage artists and

underage painting assistants will be required to have a parent sign the liability waiver

and release.

PROCESS:

City Staff will coordinate with the artist, other City departments and neighboring

businesses or homeowners to select a mutually agreeable three-month painting period

between July 1, 2026, and September 30, 2026.

Artists are responsible for prepping the utility box, painting the design, and sealing

with a clear anti-graffiti coating. The City will provide supplies for the artist to prep and

seal the utility boxes. Artists are responsible for purchasing their own painting supplies.

Artists are expected to clean and primer the utility box, paint the entire utility box

including the side boxes and pipes, and seal the utility box when the painting is

complete. Artists may not paint over key holes, meters, or numbers.

Artists may enlist painting assistants. All painting assistants must sign a liability waiver

and release. Underage painting assistants must have a parent sign the liability waiver

and release.

Student artists must be supervised by a professional artist, who is ultimately

responsible for the artwork of the student. Student artists must provide their

professional artist’s qualifications with their application. Student artists and their

teacher/professional artist will be required to meet with Staff prior to starting the

project, to ensure they understand the City’s expectations.

Upon completion of the utility box, City Staff will meet with the artist at the site to

inspect/approve the artwork and take a publicity photo of the artist with their

completed utility box.

Page 3 of 6

PROPOSAL SPECIFICATIONS:

The proposal must be submitted as a digital file by email. Provide one digital copy

(pdf). A complete proposal will include the elements listed below:

a. Completed Coversheet: Use form provided at the end of this application.

b. Design Rendering: The provided template must be used for color renderings of

your proposed design for the box (Exhibit A), showing all four sides and the top

of the utility box. Artists may submit up to three separate designs. However,

each proposed design must have its own separate color renderings page.

Additionally, due to electronic component inside of the utility boxes, it is

recommended that artists use lighter color paints to reduce heat absorption.

c. Location: If you wish to be considered for a specific box location or locations,

please label the rendering with the utility box number. If you have no preference,

label the rendering “Any.” Label each rendering with your name.

d. Artist Qualifications: One page resume of each artist involved. Student artists

should include their own biographies/resumes, no longer than one page, as well

as that of the professional artist or art teacher who serves as the team’s

supervisor.

e. Title & Artist Statement: Provide a brief statement and title (100 words or less)

about your proposed artwork. This could include your source of inspiration, the

significance of the image(s) or a comment on the style or technique you have

proposed. Each proposed design must have its own artist statement.

Page 4 of 6

SUBMISSION DEADLINE:

All proposals must be received by Henry Siu, Recreation Coordinator, by Monday,

April 20, 2026, 12:00 AM (midnight). It is the responsibility of the applicant to verify the

receipt of the electronic proposal by the scheduled deadline.

DIRECTIONS FOR SUBMITTAL:

Submit one digital copy (pdf) by email to: henry.siu@dublin.ca.gov

Subject: “Dublin Utility Box Art Project 2026.”

a) Completed Proposal Coversheet

b) One page resume

c) Color design rendering using the provided utility box template (limit 3 designs)

d) Title of the art and Artist Statement describing the design(s)

COSTS INCURRED IN RESPONDING TO THE PROPOSAL:

The City of Dublin shall not be liable for any costs incurred by the artist(s) in

responding to this request for a design proposal.

SUBMIT YOUR DIGITAL PROPOSAL PACKET AND COVERSHEET TO:

Staff:

Phone:

Email:

Henry Siu, Recreation Coordinator

City of Dublin, Parks and Community Services Department

(925) 556-4509

Henry.Siu@dublin.ca.gov

Page 5 of 6

Commodity Codes

• NAICS 711510Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers

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