2026 Decorative Treatment for Traffic Signal Cabinets Initiative

All submissions for consideration are to be patriotic in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.

Approval of Color Design Specifics:

Approval of the design is required by the Town of Amherst Arts & Culture in Public Places (ACPP) Board. This is to ensure compliance with New York State requirements for permitting as well as that our community’s values are being upheld. Since receiving the permit is subject to approval of the artist’s preliminary drawing, the deadline for submitting a drawing in color or black and white with a description of the colors to be employed to the board for consideration is Sunday, March 8, 2026.

Artist Application

Final Selection of the Artists:

Artists must be at least 18 years old. All submissions received will be reviewed, and finalists will be selected by the ACPP Board. Painting the signal cabinet must be completed by September 20, 2026.

Signal Cabinet Art Rules

Review of the signal cabinet art rules are discussed at an informational meeting held in April.

Participation in this April meeting is required of all selected artists.

Preparation of the Boxes:

Each artist must prepare the cabinet by using liquid sandpaper to strip and prime the traffic box, making the box ready to paint. These supplies will be provided to you. Also, the artist should perform any cleaning/washing of the box prior to painting. Preparing the boxes is important to ensure the paint will not peel and adheres to the box for years to come.

Provided Items:

Each artist will receive Rustoleum brand, oil-based enamel paint (primary colors, black, and white), liquid sandpaper for signal box preparation, tape, drop cloth, rags, and paint thinner for clean-up. Additionally, only the Rustoleum brand oil paint is to be used on the traffic cabinet. Once the traffic box is completed, the artist should return the left-over items for usage by another artist.

Artists must supply their own brushes.

Timing of Actual Painting:

The temperature must be above 50 degrees F and humidity below 85%. Therefore May, June, July and August are prime painting months. Once painting of the box is begun, it is expected the artist will complete painting of the box within a reasonable time period, as weather permits. The box will not be left incomplete for lengthy periods unless there is inclement weather.

Clean up:

Artists are responsible for the daily clean-up of the site as well as at the completion of the project.

Marketing and Publicity:

We have created a website for this initiative. We provide a photo gallery of the process, from start to finish. Therefore, we request artists take photos of the painting process (or at the beginning of each painting day) and provide these photos to the ACPP Board (amherstpaintedboxes@gmail.com) so that we can upload them to the website for public viewing. Along with the photo gallery of the painting process, the artists are to provide a short biography as well as any commentary concerning the creation process or the inspiration for your art design. Viewing of past artist’s submissions are on the ACPP web link.

Honorarium:

$200 for prepping, priming, and painting the assigned Traffic Box as outlined in this form, regardless of the number of artists participating in painting of the assigned box.

If you are chosen to paint one of the 2026 Traffic Boxes, to receive payment of the honorarium, the following must have been received and approved by a representative of the Board:

• Sign this form confirming your understanding and agreement of participating and abiding with the project requirements outlined in this form and the NYS Dept of Transportation TSMI 16-04 regulations (attached).
• Provide the project timeline photos, bio, and Artist’s commentary write-up.
• From the ACPP Board, receive satisfactory completion notification of this project.
• Complete the W9 and Vendor information form (will be provided later).
• Provide an invoice, which must be approved by the designated ACPP Board Member.
• Additional note: the artists selected must understand that the cabinets can be replaced at any time should there be a failure or maintenance issue of the traffic signal. The Town is not responsible for the art to remain for any duration.
• The Town of Amherst’s Arts and Culture in Public Places Board has nonexclusive rights of the artwork on the finished traffic cabinets and can be used for marketing and fundraising purposes.