Signal Box Expressions of Interest
Would you like to be commissioned to paint your artwork onto a traffic signal box?
SIGNAL BOX is a City of Hobart initiative managed by Vibrance Projects.
Overview
A traffic signal box (TSB) is a metal cabinet located wherever there is a traffic light. The boxes in the City of Hobart are owned and operated by the Department of State Growth. They usually have four sides that can be painted with an artwork and generally measure 1.9 metres high, 0.8 metres wide and 0.42 metres deep.
Over one hundred boxes have previously been painted as part of this program with participants as young as four years old helping to create the artworks. The existing works have been painted by solo artists and community groups.
Twelve signal box artworks will be painted in 2024/2025 with eight to be completed by individual artists and four to be completed by community groups.
Who can apply?
- Those who live, work or study within the City of Hobart.
View the council area map online. - Artists of any age. Artists under eighteen years old are encouraged to apply
- Community groups are encouraged to apply
- Artists can work on this project alone or in a small group
- Artists who have painted previously can apply
- Please note that employees of the City of Hobart cannot apply.
When
If selected, you will work with Vibrance to discuss your project, create your design and then paint your signal box. Designs are expected to be completed by the 27th of November 2024 for approval by the City of Hobart Public Art team. Once your design is approved, we will work with you to schedule your painting between November 2024 and January 2025.
Important Dates
Applications open: Thursday 26th September, 2024
Applications close: Midnight Monday 21st October, 2024
Notification of result: On or before Wednesday 30th October, 2024
Designs completed: Wednesday 27th November
Painting: As negotiated some time between late November 2024 – late January 2025
Payment
Artists will be paid a fee of $500 (ex GST) to design and paint their signal box. The fee is payable on completion of all participation steps and on submission of a tax invoice. Groups are welcome to apply, but the artist fee will remain the same.
Vibrance can assist you in the creation of an invoice if you have not done this before.
Design Brief
Please note: Designs are to be created AFTER you have been selected. Please do not submit a design as part of your application.
There is no specific theme or creative brief for the signal box designs. However, designs that are vibrant, have community appeal and connection to the location tend to be selected. The City would also like to avoid visual cliches – e.g. typical views or representations of the Tasmanian Tiger or Devil and kunanyi / Mount Wellington. Instead we are looking for artworks that reflect unique stories and creative expression.
Signal boxes are functional pieces of critical infrastructure. For that reason they have some specific design and material requirements. Designs will NOT BE PERMITTED if they:
- Have areas of blank colour or plain background space (use textures to create negative space instead)
- Breach intellectual property rights (ie. somebody else's idea or imagery)
- Include trademarks, brand or business names, logos or copyrighted images
- Contain too many dark colours (may cause the box to overheat)
- Include images of a potentially offensive or sensitive nature
- Involve images that may dazzle or distract drivers
- Involve shapes and colours similar to traffic signs especially when in the colours red, orange, yellow and green
- Involve the use of spray paint (spray paint cannot be used in this program)
- Involve collage, vinyls or glueing art materials
- Include images that resemble illegal graffiti or tags
- Impede, encroach upon or interfere with the operation and identification of State Growth cabinets (all existing signal box notices must remain clearly visible and not be painted over)
Design submissions (to be submitted after artist selection) must:
- Show how your artwork will cover ALL sides of the box
- Be in full colour
- Be an original artwork (you must own the copyright and intellectual property of the artwork)
- Include the intended location of your signature if you intend to sign your box artwork. Signatures can be no bigger than 30cm x 10cm on the box.
- Accommodate a space for the TSB sticker (this is part of the template provided)
Materials & Equipment
Vibrance will work with you to select the materials you will use to paint your signal box. There are some important restrictions to note:
- You can only use a combination of brush paint and paint pens to create your artwork.
- You will only be permitted to use products selected and approved by Vibrance. This is because we will ensure all products are sturdy enough to withstand significant weathering and sunlight.
- You will not be allowed to use vinyl, spray paint, ink or glued collage materials.
Once your colours and materials have been selected, we will provide you with an equipment pack containing the following:
- Your selected materials
- Undercoat paint
- UV Coating
- Safety cones & safety vests
- Drop sheets, tape and rags
- Mixing palettes & pots
- An Artists Handbook with safety information, painting procedures, marketing guide and other essential information
In addition to the above, you will be provided with the following as part of this project:
- The artist will be covered under Vibrance Project’s Public Liability Insurance
- Specialist traffic management will be organised for some signal boxes as required. Details will be provided directly to successful artists in this case.
What Do I Need to Supply?
- Paint brushes
- Water for cleaning up
- Personal protective gear - including long sleeve shirt and pants, wide brimmed hat, closed footwear, sunscreen, sunglasses
- Drinking water and food
- Basic first aid kit, insect repellent, sunscreen, bandaids
- A trolley if required for your materials and equipment pack
- Safety stool or 3 step ladder if required
Location of Traffic Signal Boxes
Before you start to visualise your ideas for your selected box please visit the site. There are twelve different TSBs that will be painted within the City of Hobart.
How Long Will My Artworks Last?
In general, artworks last up to six years. However TSBs are also critical pieces of road safety equipment and neither Vibrance Projects or the City of Hobart have control over emergency replacements of cabinets. The City of Hobart coordinates with State Growth to select boxes that are not on the list for scheduled replacement with the aim of having artworks last as long as possible.
How to apply?
Artists and community groups are invited to apply for a specific site. To see all the sites visit the link below. You will need to select one of the sites in the application form.
To apply follow the link below and fill out the application form. There is a different form for community groups and solo artists, please ensure you submit your application using the correct form.
If you are applying as a small group of artists, you will need to nominate a contact person who will be the primary point of contact between the group and Vibrance.
Apply as Artist (solo or small group)
What's next?
Applications will be assessed by a panel consisting of the City of Hobart public art team and community artist/s. One submission will be selected for each location. Unsuccessful applicants will also be informed via email of their application outcome.
Successful artists and community groups will be required to sign an Artist Agreement with Vibrance Projects. They will then proceed to create their design for approval by the City of Hobart public art team.
Note that it is not always possible to match the selected box with the artist due to the popularity of some locations. Sometimes an alternate box is suggested for selected artists or groups. This will form part of your offer should you be selected as a successful artist or community group.
