REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS: Traffic Box Art Wrap by Hands On! Discovery Center and the ETSU Gray Fossil Site & Museum

Description

The Johnson City Public Art Committee is seeking proposals from artists or art teams for the commission of a site-specific artwork designed for a traffic control box wrap by Hands On! Discovery Center and the ETSU Gray Fossil Site & Museum in Gray, Tennessee.

Traffic control boxes are located at signalized intersections and house the components that power traffic lights. Their prominent placement on street corners and their blank, metal surfaces offer an excellent space to incorporate art!

Artwork may be designed at any size as long as it is proportionally suited to the control box (box template provided at https://jcpublicart.com/traffic-wrap-art-call/). Artists may submit up to three designs.

ELIGIBILITY: This opportunity is open to all professional artists over the age of 18 with previous professional art and design experience. Artists must reside within the United States.

BUDGET: One proposal will be selected for the project, and the finalist will be paid a $500 honorarium for their finalized design. The selected artist will be responsible for own materials and photography equipment, if applicable.

ARTWORK THEME: The chosen design will align with the spirit of the Hands On! Discovery Center and ETSU Gray Fossil Site & Museum and their place in the community, highlighting the sense of curiosity and discovery that these facilities inspire within individuals of all ages.

The wrap artwork should reflect the science and arts-based exhibits, activities, and programming provided by the Hands On! Discovery Center and ETSU Gray Fossil Site & Museum and utilize the following key terms as inspiration for the design:

• CURIOSITY
• DISCOVERY
• STEM/STEAM* educational frameworks, specifically in relation to the following:
o Tesla Coil (https://visithandson.org/tesla/)
o Discovery Garden (https://visithandson.org/garden/)
o Fossils at the Gray Fossil Site (https://www.etsu.edu/gray-fossil-site-museum/about/dig-site.php)

*(Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics / Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics)

SUBMIT A PROPOSAL: Fill out the online submission form at https://jcpublicart.com/traffic-wrap-art-call/

DEADLINE: July 31, 2026 by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time

Please view the complete RFP for submission guidelines, project schedule, and other info: https://jcpublicart.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/06/Traffic-Box-Wrap-RFP-Hands-On-Discovery-Center-and-Gray-Fossil-Site.pdf