The Town of Orangeville's annual Call for Artists aims to promote the talent of local artists and enhance their connection with the community. It was initiated in 2016 when the Utility Box Art Display Program was created. The program's objective is to enhance the community’s public places through the installation of high-quality public artwork. Each year, new pieces are added to this growing collection. Public artwork can function as a form of communication to an audience in transit throughout the Town with the goal of creating a vibrant, inclusive, and interesting urban environment.
Apply for the 2025 Call for Artists
Local artists are invited to submit original designs for the 2025 Call for Artists. This year, up to four utility boxes will be added through this Call for Artists. Submissions are due by Thursday, May 15, 2025 at 12 p.m.
Artists residing in Dufferin County are invited to submit their original designs using direction provided in the Call for Artists. Any visual medium that can be submitted as a digital image and duplicated in a high-quality large-scale format will be accepted. This includes painting, drawing, photography, and digital art.
Successful artist submissions must:
- be innovative in design
- foster community pride
- strive to counteract graffiti vandalism
- contribute to a sense of identity for residents and businesses
Interested artists are encouraged to review all requirements in the Call for Artists before completing an online submission.
Locations
Up to four utility box locations will be included in the 2025 installations:
- 37 Armstrong West Templates 1 and 2 – Heritage theme: These two utility boxes are located near a historic train station, now the location of Barley Vine Rail Co. and Revival 1863. To reflect the significance of this location, submitted designs should include elements of or reference to Orangeville’s history. Due to the close proximity of the two utility boxes, submissions for this location must include designs for both. Artists may develop one design to duplicate on both boxes, or create complimentary designs to be displayed on each box. The successful artist will receive the artist fee for each box even if only one design for both boxes is submitted.
- 37 Armstrong East Template 3 – Open theme: Designs should fit the character of Orangeville. Themes may include nature, local history, or celebration of arts and culture. Art will be selected with consideration to scale, form, content, and visibility. Artists are encouraged to consider how their design is relevant to the context of the selected location.
- Third Street and Fifth Avenue Template 4 – Open theme: Designs should fit the character of Orangeville. Themes may include nature, local history, or celebration of arts and culture. Art will be selected with consideration to scale, form, content, and visibility. Artists are encouraged to consider how their design is relevant to the context of the selected location.
Eligibility Criteria
- Artist applicants must reside in Dufferin County.
- Artist applicants must be at least 18 years old.
- Town of Orangeville employees and members of the Town of Orangeville Economic Development and Culture Committee are not eligible to apply.
Design Criteria
Artwork must be submitted by location using the template and guidance provided. Artists are encouraged to visit the location(s) and consider how their submission is relevant to the context of the selected area. Artists should consider how the artwork will be displayed on the utility box and note features (e.g. handles, poles, vents), traffic direction, and how the artwork will wrap around the utility box.
Designs must not contain:
- any representations of traffic lights, signs, or signals;
- advertisement or promotion for any business, product, or viewpoint;
- vulgar, profane, offensive, negative, or insensitive images or writing;
- any breach of intellectual property, trademarks, brands, or images of illegal activity;
- any attachment of any object(s) to the box.
All final designs will be reviewed and approved by the Town of Orangeville. Some changes to the design may be required to accommodate individual site requirements. Artists should understand that the finished works will be on functioning equipment that may need repair or replacing at some point in time. The Town therefore cannot guarantee the duration of exhibition on each utility box. Artists must accept the risk that their artwork may be damaged, altered, or removed at any time after completion.
Templates
Each location has its own template. To access the template, click the utility box location below. Please right-click on the image to save it to your files.
37 Armstrong West Template 1 of 2 PNG
37 Armstrong West Template 1 of 2 PDF
37 Armstrong West Template 2 of 2 PNG
37 Armstrong West Template 2 of 2 PDF
37 Armstrong East Template 3 PNG
37 Armstrong East Template 3 PDF
Third Street and Fifth Avenue Template 4 PNG
Third Street and Fifth Avenue Template 4 PDF
Please note these templates are for submission purposes only. Selected artists will be required to provide full quality, print-ready .jpg or .tiff files of the artwork at their own expense within two weeks of being notified. Artists whose works have been selected for display will be notified by Friday, June 20, 2025. Artwork will be professionally installed using a high-quality vinyl wrap.
Artist Fees and Requirements
Successful artists will receive a $750.00 fee for the design of their work for each box.
Selected artists will be required to complete and sign an agreement as part of their submission. The Town of Orangeville reserves the right to alter, edit, modify, adapt, reproduce and/or illustrate the artwork for any use, including promotional purposes.
Selected artists will be required to provide full quality, print-ready .jpg or .tiff files of the artwork at their own expense within two weeks of being notified.
Jurying
Artwork will be selected by a team of jurors assembled by the Town of Orangeville. Submitted artwork will be evaluated using the following criteria:
Fulfillment of eligibility and design criteria
- Artistic excellence, both as a standalone image and as an installed piece of art
- Appropriateness of content and design relative to the location and theme (if applicable)
- Quality, visibility, and clarity of image
The Town reserves the right to reject any or all submissions. Although submissions will be juried by location, the jury reserves the right to select the most appropriate final location for selected artwork.
Submission Requirements
Submit online by 12 p.m. on Thursday, May 15, 2025. Please complete the online form and upload all required documents.
- Artist biography and/or resume (maximum 2 pages)
- Design concept (maximum 1 page) outlining how the proposed artwork fits within the objective of the Call for Artists and enhances the community
- Standalone image of the design concept (minimum resolution of 800 pixels on the shortest side)
- Artist Layout template with design concept overlaid, using the correct template for the selected location(s)
The submission deadline is Thursday, May 15, 2025 at 12 p.m. If you have questions about the details or requirements, please contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply again if my artwork is featured on an existing utility box?
Yes! There is no limit to the number of times that artist applicants can submit artwork.
Can I submit my artwork for more than one location?
Yes. Submissions will be reviewed by location so the same artwork can be considered for multiple locations. Artists can also submit multiple pieces for consideration at different locations in the same year.
What artwork mediums are accepted?
Artists are welcome to submit visual artwork in the following mediums: painting, drawing, photography, digital art. All submissions must be provided as digital images for duplication in a high-quality, large-scale format. For the purpose of the submission, low-resolution images will be accepted. Artists whose work is selected will be responsible for providing high-quality images by Friday, July 4, 2025.
Do I need to create a new piece of art to fit the Artist Layout template?
While artists are invited to create new pieces specifically for the utility box locations, existing artwork can also be submitted. Adjustments may be required to ensure that the artwork fits the template. See below for details.
What do I do if my artwork doesn’t match the template dimensions?
Artists are encouraged to manipulate their own artwork to fit the dimensions of the selected utility box location. This may include, but is not limited to, scaling, stretching, stitching, or mirroring elements when placing it on the template.
Please do not amend the Artist Layout template page(s). Overlay a digital image of the artwork onto the template and ensure that the artwork extends to the edges of the template in all directions. The transparency of the image can be adjusted so that the lines of the template are visible. Artists are encouraged to consider the front panel as the focal point for their artwork.
What do I need to consider when laying my artwork on the Artist Layout template?
The provided Artist Layout templates help to show how the design will be installed on the utility box. It is recommended that artists aim to keep the focal point of their art on the front panel of the utility box and away from edges. Artists should consider utility box features such as poles, identification numbers, keyholes, vents, and handles as part of their submission. A visit to the utility box location is recommended in advance of submission.
If you require assistance with the template, please contact us at [email protected].
How do I create the Artist Layout template?
A photo editing tool is required to create the Artist Layout. If artists don’t have access to photo editing software, please contact us at [email protected] to be provided with a link to a Canva file where a free template can be created.
- Using the photo editing tool, save the Artist Layout template as the base layer.
- Upload a digital copy of the artwork to the same file. Position the artwork over the template.
- Adjust the transparency of the artwork so the dimensions of the utility box can be seen.
- Adjust the artwork as required to completely cover the utility box. Consider where the artwork will wrap around the utility box and how other features may impact the artwork.
- Save the file and submit along with other requirements.
How are artists paid for their artwork?
Successful artists will receive a $750.00 fee for the design of their work for each box.
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