Call for artists to beautify bland utility boxes

Are you tired of looking at those dreary metal utility boxes – aka traffic signal control cabinets – that dot the intersections of Austin? We sure are, and finally, someone agrees with us. The Austin Transportation Department, in league with UP Art Studio, has issued a call for local visual artists to transform the city’s traffic cabinets from bland and boring eyesores into bold and beautiful works of art. “The Artbox program is just one way we are moving to make Austin streets more people-oriented,” said Katherine Gregor, ATD’s coordinator for the program, adding that the installations will help “express the special character of our community.” The first four Artboxes will be funded by the Transportation Department. The program is seeking sponsors to fund additional installations. Qualifying artists will be invited to create a mini-mural on a traffic cabinet and will be compensated $1,000. Application guidelines and more information can be found here. The deadline to apply is Sunday, Dec. 30.