Out of the Box 2025

Call to Artists – Out of the Box 2025: The Carson City Parks, Recreation & Open Space Department and your local McDonald’s in Carson City, Minden, and Dayton invite local artists to submit public art proposals to beautify traffic signal boxes located throughout Carson City.

Sponsored by McDonald’s, 395 Motorsports, and Carson Paint Mart, this “Out of the Box” arts initiative aims to enhance the streetscape, create paid opportunities for local artists, and showcase Carson City’s unique culture and talent. Artists may submit one original design proposal for this call.

Eligible Artists

• Must live in northern or rural Nevada — Carson City artists encouraged to submit.
• No resume or portfolio required — young and/or new artists are encouraged to submit.
• Artist (or parent/guardian if younger than 18) must supply a W9 and invoice, if selected, and must be able to receive payment by check.

Eligible designs

• Submit only one design for this call to artists.
• Designs should be based on the theme of Carson City history.
• No logos or copyrighted images without written permission.
• Avoid large areas of dark color to maintain temperatures inside the box; top of box must not be a dark color.
• Avoid words or shapes that look like road signs (arrows, red octagons, etc.).
• Hashtags and artist signatures are allowed, less than 5% of the painted/beautified area.
• No political or religious messages or symbols, gratuitous violence, racism, bigotry, or inappropriate, indecent, obscene, hateful, tortuous, defamatory or libelous content.
• Bottom righthand corner of each side may be covered with sponsor recognition – keep in mind when creating design.

Eligible Boxes (Traffic control + attached electrical service and battery backup)

• Clearview and Carson streets
• Eagle Station and Carson streets
• 5th Street and Carson streets
• Musser and Carson streets
• Robinson and Carson streets
• Winnie and Carson streets
• Additional boxes may be identified as funding permits.

Painting requirements

• Apply supplied primer.
• Use only UV resistant acrylic latex or similar paint designed for outdoor use. All materials must be approved by the city.
• Apply supplied topcoat.

Compensation

Selected artists will be paid $1,000 per box. This includes artist compensation and any supplies, materials, and installation costs. Checks will be processed and mailed upon receipt of W9 and invoice from the artist.

How to Apply

Submit the “Out of the Box 2025” form at carson.org/arts between April 20 and May 20, 2025. Attach one PDF that includes all the following:

1. Artist’s legal name and preferred name if different (include age if under 18).
2. Contact information – phone number, email address, and home or business address (address must be in northern or rural Nevada).
3. Brief artist statement.
4. Mockup or sketch of proposed design.
5. Brief statement about the proposal.
6. Materials proposed to be used.

Maintenance

Carson City Public Works is not responsible for any costs related to the art boxes that may be incurred as a result of maintenance activities, box modifications, damage, replacement, vandalism, or general wear and tear, and shall not be responsible to repair any portion of the artwork placed on any box. Carson City may at any time remove, paint or replace boxes without prior notice to the artist. Technicians may modify boxes at any time. Modification may include without limitation, cutting, covering, or adding additional equipment or enclosures.  If a painted/beautified signal box needs replacement, repair, or repainting, a courtesy notification to the artist and/or the Arts and Culture Supervisor is requested but not required. The artist may choose to touch up the artwork at their own expense. The City maintains full control and use of the boxes regardless of any art on them. Although a courtesy call is requested, Carson City Public Works reserves the right to replace, remove, repair, or repaint any traffic signal/utility box(es) without prior notice to the artist.

Selection Process

City staff will review all submissions for eligibility. An ad-hoc panel will review all eligible designs and narrow down options for the Cultural Commission to select from. The Cultural Commission will make recommendations to the City Manager. The City Manager may approve or deny any/all recommendations or can defer decisions to the Board of Supervisors. Designs must be approved by the City Manager or Board of Supervisors. Selected designs may be chosen in either an open category or a youth category (17 years old or younger).

Interested in Volunteering for the review panel?

Please submit the form at Carson.org/arts – Grants and Opportunities – Apply to Be a Public Art Panelist if you are interested in volunteering. Must be a Carson City resident, able to commit to individually reviewing all submissions (likely over 100), available during the day for panel meeting(s), and be free from any conflict of interest.

Interested in Sponsoring the Out of the Box Program?

Email Anna Freeman (afreeman@carson.org) if you or your business would like information on supporting this or other arts initiatives run through the Carson City Parks, Recreation & Open Space Department.