PowerArt! - Ann Arbor

A PowerArt! traffic box.

In partnership with Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority (AADDA) and the Ann Arbor Public Art Commission (AAPAC) The Arts Allianceis managing PowerArt!, a project to install energetic, vinyl printed art replicas on a total of 42 traffic boxes in downtown Ann Arbor.

Since the artwork is installed as a printed vinyl wrap, any high resolution imagery that meets the size and shape specifications, may be submitted. Artists may submit a new artwork in response to the call for work or a previously completed artwork, a partial or modified image of already-created work or a detail of an originally large painting, photograph or image of three-dimensional artwork.

Who is eligible to submit work?

Individuals, organizations (schools, community groups) and businesses residing or working in Washtenaw County are welcome to submit artwork. Applicants may submit multiple entries. Artists submissions are made via the Western States Arts Federation (WESTAF) CaFE system. CaFE is WESTAF’s solution to the growing need of organizations that needed an online application and jury review system specifically for public art.

PowerArt! Timeline

05-19-2015 The power boxes were prepared for installation by removing fliers, tape, stickers etc. and Upper Level Graphics began installation on May 19, 2015.
10-02-2013 The Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority board authorizes a $20,500 grant to the Arts Alliance to implement a pilot project that would wrap 14 traffic signal electrical boxes in downtown Ann Arbor with vinyl that’s imprinted with artwork.

Beautifying Ann Arbor with PowerArt!

The traffic signal boxes present a great opportunity to serve as urban canvases. When unused, the gray metal is often dirty or covered in graffiti and flyers. Yet from any angle – even above – this untapped space can add another facet of dynamic style, culture and allure to the streets of Ann Arbor. The goal is to transform the 42 traffic boxes around downtown Ann Arbor from spaces used for flyers or graffiti into beautiful canvases displaying artwork reproductions by local artists.

Case study: Boise, ID

Karen Bubb, public arts manager at Boise City Department of Arts and History manages the Boise City Traffic Box and Transit Shelter Art project. She reported that by beautifying the traffic boxes In Boise, the city enlivened the social and physical environment on the streets. The community accepted the project: “people just love them.” Bubb went on to say that the project has revealed a younger demographic that is interested in public art.

According to Boise City Police Department monitoring, after installation there was a significant decrease in graffiti, even on boxes that were not wrapped in art.

Types of artwork

Who is eligible to submit work?

Committed to paying artists

The Arts Alliance is committed to compensating artists fairly and, fortunately, it’s PowerArt! partners agree. Artists are paid $1,450 for each selected and installed artwork.

Committed to high standards and including the public in selecting artworks.

The Arts Alliance stands firm on its intention to include the community in public art and design projects including jurying and selection of artworks.

For each PowerArt! phase, The Arts Alliance seeks applicants to serve on the PowerArt! jury with representatives from its project partners. A jury of residents representing a cross-section of the community is seated from the applicant pool based upon their expertise, experience and knowledge of art, public art and design as well as their interest and involvement in the community. The juries are intended to represent a cross-section of the community who can contribute a spectrum of diverse opinions. The jurors are charged with selecting works for installation as well as selecting works to put out for public vote. The public then votes on their favorite, selecting the final artworks for installation.

The PILOT Project Phase report

In the pilot phase (aka. Phase 1) eight traffic boxes were wrapped with local artists' work. The call for art, publicized through local networks, was open to artists living or working in Washtenaw County, MI. The call elicited 41 submissions. Five jurors were selected for the jury for the PowerArt! pilot phase. The jury was charged with selecting ten finalists, of which the top six were guaranteed installation. The final four works were put to popular vote and the two with the highest number of votes were selected for the pilot phase.

The two-week public voting period was publicized and included an online and in-person option. More than 400 members of the public voted and selected the final two works for installation.

Once selections were made, letters of agreements were prepared and signed by the selected artists. The eight installations sites were chosen in consultation with Ann Arbor’s downtown merchant associations: State Street Area Association, Main Street Area Association, Kerrytown District Association and the South University Area Association. The power boxes were prepared for installation by removing fliers, tape, stickers etc. and Upper Level Graphics began installation on May 19, 2015.

Enchanted Forest by Laila KujalaPower Box Horses by K.A. LettsSelfie Monster by David ZinnTraffic Light 1 by Thomas Rosenbaum

A map showing the location of these installations and the locations of the boxes for future installations.

Project Support

The pilot phase was funded in partnership between the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority and a special allocation from the City of Ann Arbor's fund held by the Ann Arbor Community Foundation. PowerArt! is managed by The Arts Alliance which receives support from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts.

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