Santa Clara is calling all local artists.
The city is seeking submissions as part of its traffic box beautification program, transforming the city’s mundane metal traffic control boxes into community-inspired art. The program aims to create a “vibrant, welcoming and attractive streetscape” that contributes to the city’s unique character.
“This is a great opportunity for local artists to transform everyday infrastructure into a powerful expressions of creativity,” Damon Sparacino, parks and recreation director, wrote in an email. “The project not only brightens our community, but it empowers artists to tell Santa Clara’s evolving story.”
The program’s goal is to allow artists to capture and interpret what makes Santa Clara unique — its cultural diversity, innovation, and rich history — by creating art that speaks to the city’s evolving story.
The theme, “Reflections of Innovation and Heritage,” celebrates Santa Clara’s transformation from its historical roots to its vibrant present as a cultural and technological hub.
“We are excited to showcase the art that blends Santa Clara’s rich history and its reputation for being an innovative city — The Center of What’s Possible,” Sparacino wrote.
Works should be original, on theme and in keeping with the city’s community values.
There will be a traffic box in each of the city’s six districts: Tasman Drive at Convention Center Drive (District 1), Scott Boulevard and Monroe Street (District 2), Monroe Street and Monticello Way (District 3), Kiely Boulevard and Benton Street (District 4), Homestead Road and Scott Boulevard (District 5), Pruneridge Avenue and Cypress Avenue (District 6).
Artists may include which box they prefer to decorate, but city employees reserve the right to assign boxes to artists as they see fit. Selected artists will receive $1,000 for supplies
The city’s cultural commission developed the program.
City employees and cultural commissioners are ineligible. Applicants must be 15 years old or older; applicants between the ages of 15 and 17 must have parental or guardian approval. Community groups should apply through a single point of contact committed to seeing the project through to completion.
Interested artists should send submissions to CulturalCommission@SantaClaraCA.gov by 5 p.m. Friday, July 18.
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