Waltham Accepting Switchbox Public Art Submissions

WALTHAM, MA – The City of Waltham is now accepting submissions for its Switchbox Public Art Project. The program is being run through the City of Waltham mayor's office and the Waltham Switchbox Art Committee.

Any person who lives or works in Waltham is invited to participate. Designs will be featured on the city's utility switch boxes, which control lights and signals around town.

Box art will become the property of the City of Waltham. Typically, the boxes are about 4 feet tall, 3-4 feet wide and 2 feet deep.

Below are the requirements for proposals, per the City of Waltham website:

1. Applicants must live and/or work or study in Waltham.
2. Proposals should be based on the dimensions of the enclosed template (Exhibit 3) and designs
should include all sides. However, please note the actual box may be a different size.
3. Each applicant should submit only one proposal.
4. Each proposal can be no greater than 8½” x 11” in size and submitted on 8½” x 11” paper.
Digitally produced art is welcomed (and in keeping with Waltham's reputation as a host of
innovative ideas) as long as it conforms to the same legal restrictions as art produced in a
traditional way (no copyright infringement...) and can be submitted via the application template.
5. The Committee shall make all box location assignments.
6. Submit your hardcopy entry to the Waltham SWITCHBOX Art Project, in care of, Mayor’s Office,
Waltham City Hall, 610 Main St, Waltham, MA 02452 no later than March 17, 2017 by
4:00pm. All preparation and painting must be complete on or before August 31, 2017. A
copy of the application and template is available at the end of this contest.
7. The WSBAPCommittee will review and select proposals awarded switchbox assignments.
8. Accepted proposals become the exclusive property of the City of Waltham. There is no guarantee
of selection. There is no guarantee of how long the artwork may remain on the boxes as they
may require upgrading or replacing. The City has the right to move or remove the artwork at any
time.
9. Artwork submitted on the proposal template must match the design that will be painted on the
switchbox. Artists are responsible for preparing the boxes; this includes scraping, sanding and
priming. The box preparation will then be inspected and approved by the City of Waltham Wires
Waltham SWITCHBOX Art Competition Project Page 7
Department before any painting can begin. Once the painting is complete, the artist is also
responsible for sealing the box.
10. The sizes of the boxes may vary slightly; applicants must be prepared to adjust the design to fit
the box.
11. Artwork using a majority of dark colors cannot be considered due to the potential for
overheating the utility boxes.
12. The City of Waltham, or its contractors, must have access to the components inside the box at all
times.
13. Door hinges should be painted in such a way that it does not lock the hinges in place. The levers/
handles/keyholes on the box should not receive any type of coating.
14. When washing or painting the box, no moisture should get inside the box through any vents.
There are sensitive electronic components in the box that must be preserved. The vents should
not be covered such that airflow is restricted inside the cabinet. Ventilation keeps the box from
overheating.
15. Artists may want to block off the box to keep the public from brushing against wet paint, but
care should be given to leave at least five (5) feet of the sidewalk open where possible for
compliance with ADA requirements.
16. Artist signatures on the box must not exceed 3” x 5” in total size
17. A reimbursement of no greater than $150 per box will be allowed. Valid receipts for supplies used
in the completion of a switchbox design will be required for reimbursement. The Committee
reserves the right to approve/disapprove any and all reimbursements.

Please submit proposals by hardcopy to:

Waltham SWITCHBOX Art Project Committee
c/o Mayor’s Office
Waltham City Hall
610 Main Street
Waltham, MA 02452

The deadline for submissions is March 17.

>>>Click here for more information, including the types of designs sought.

Image via City of Waltham