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https://raleighnc.gov/arts/services/public-art-signal-boxes
12/21/2023 4:24 pm

Two people walk on a crosswalk in downtown Raleigh next to a signal box vinyl wrapped with artwork by Sam Greene

Public Art on Signal Boxes

Use this toolkit to add public art to signal boxes!

Updated: Dec 21, 2023

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Things to Consider Examples Request Process & Approval Timeline Submit Your Request
A gray, metal signal box

Image Above: Lost Ocean, Sam Greene, vinyl wrapped signal box, located at Lenoir St. and Wilmington St.

Signal boxes are located at intersections and control traffic lights. The boxes are integral to the flow of cars and pedestrians throughout the city, but their plain metal exteriors often leave them hidden in plain sight. Signal boxes can provide local artists with a canvas while highlighting an important aspect of transportation infrastructure.

Things to Consider

Location

  • The City can only grant permissions for signal boxes that are located on City-owned streets
    • Determine if all streets in the intersection are owned by the City using the Powell Map, which marks City-owned streets in blue
  • Consider contacting surrounding property owners. Letting community members know about your project will help build support and create a successful project
  • If you have a specific signal box in mind, let us know on your request form

Cost

  • Typically, vinyl installers charge between $250 and $750 to print and install vinyl artwork on a signal box 
  • Artists who are hired by an organization typically receive a stipend of $250-$1000 for their artwork 
  • This type of project does not include funding from Raleigh Arts. Check out other funding opportunities

Design 

  • The artwork must be applied as a vinyl wrap
  • The design must include the numbers that are on the box's black and white identifying sign. Any color can be used, but the numbers/letters should be placed at approximately the same scale and location as they are on the box
  • Avoid large areas of dark color, this could cause the box to overheat
  • Avoid words or shapes that look like road signs (arrows, red octagons, etc.) 
  • Artwork must include the artist's credit. Crediting guidelines for temporary art in public spaces include:
    • Hashtags and artist signatures are allowed
    • No more than two hashtags are allowed
    • No logos are allowed
    • Hashtags and artist signatures should be sized so they are less than or equal to 2% of the painting surface. For smaller artworks, the artist can choose to use up to 2” x 24” instead to retain legibility. The artist has the digression to make the hashtag/signature smaller if they choose
  • Confirm the type and layout of the design file needed by the vinyl installer
    • Typically, installers prefer to receive the artwork for all four sides as a continuous, long rectangle. This allows the installer to wrap the box with a single piece of vinyl and then cut out the areas for vents, door seams, etc.  

Examples

signal box wrapped in art by Jose Cruz

Jubilee Dancers

Jose Cruz

North St. and Glenwood Ave.

signal box wrapped in art by Gina Franco

Conversation

Gina Franco

Boylan Ave. and Hargett St.

signal box wrapped in art by Paul Friedrich

Onion Head Monster and the Dang Nabbit Rabbits

Paul Friedrich

Hillsborough St. and Harrington St.

A signal box wrapped in artwork by Cathy Foreman in downtown Raleigh

Black Roses

Cathy Foreman

Wilmington St. and Hargett St.

signal box wrapped in art by Sam Greene

Lost Ocean

Sam Greene

Lenoir St. and Wilmington St.

signal box wrapped in art by Anna Podris

Tucker - Oak City Kitty

Anna Podris

Salisbury St. and Davie St.

signal box wrapped in art by Jermaine Powell

Walk of Life

JP Jermaine Powell

Wilmington St. and Polk St.

signal box wrapped in art by Kiara Sanders

Cardinal Capital

Kiara Sanders

East St. and Davie St.

Signal Box art by Denise Torrance

Luminescence of Cho

Denise Torrance

South St. and Salisbury St.

A signal box covered with artwork by Buffy Taylor

Raleigh. The Journey & The Destination.

Buffy Taylor

W. Johnston St. and Glenwood Ave.

Request Process & Approval Timeline

StepDescriptionTime Period
Request

You will need to provide the following on the request form:

  • Your contact information
  • The name of the artist creating the artwork *
  • Samples of previous artwork and a written or visual proposal
  • A proposed location if you have one *
  • A proposed project timeline
  • A summary of the project
  • The estimated project cost and its funding sources
  • A list of project partners, if any
  • The level of City involvement needed (help with finding a location, artist selection, permitting, etc.)
  • Acknowledgment that you have read the Community-Initiated Public Art Projects Policy

* If you don't have a location or artist selected, please email Jenn Hales at jenn.hales@raleighnc.gov for guidance.

Download request form

 

Request your project today!
Review

Your project with go through a three-step review process:

  1. The Arts, Education, and Collections Committee (AEC) will review your project and either approve, deny, or approve with a request for changes. This committee meets on the first Thursday of each month.
  2. After approval from AEC, the City of Raleigh Arts Commission (CORAC) will review your project and either approve, deny, or approve with a request for changes. The commission meets on the third Tuesday of each month. 
  3. City of Raleigh Traffic Engineering will review the location and either approve, deny or approve with a request for changes.  

Once approved, Raleigh Arts Staff will notify you. Please email Jenn Hales at jenn.hales@raleighnc.gov with questions about your project's review progress.

 

1 - 3 months, not including permitting and contract process
Permitting & Permissions

Raleigh Arts can help guide you through the permitting process. 

  • Signal Boxes will require a signed agreement. The artist, sponsor organization, or artwork installer will need to: 
    • Register as a vendor with the city 
    • Review and sign the agreement 
    • Provide a certificate of insurance with the City of Raleigh named as an additional insured. (A qualified vinyl installer should already have a certificate of insurance). 
  • Depending on the location, you may need a sidewalk closure permit while the artwork is installed
  • Some projects may also require a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) if the location is in a historic district

Please email Jenn Hales at jenn.hales@raleighnc.gov with questions about signed agreements and insurance.  

 

1 - 3 months
Installation
  • Please email Jenn Hales at jenn.hales@raleighnc.gov at least 2 weeks in advance with your installation date 
  • Installation must be performed by a professional vinyl installer who carries insurance
  • Artwork must include the artist's credit. Crediting guidelines for temporary art in public spaces include:
    • Hashtags and artist signatures are allowed
    • No more than two hashtags are allowed
    • No logos are allowed
    • Hashtags and artist signatures should be sized so they are less than or equal to 2% of the painting surface. For smaller artworks, the artist can choose to use up to 2” x 24” instead to retain legibility. The artist has the digression to make the hashtag/signature smaller if they choose
  • Provide photographs and social media details to Jenn Hales so Raleigh Arts can celebrate and promote the project with all project partners

 

After the project is approved, the contract is signed, and permits are secured, choose the installation date.

Submit Your Request

Follow the steps below to submit a request for public art on a signal box:

  1. Review the above information and gather all necessary materials, including how the project will be funded.  This type of project does not include funding from Raleigh Arts. Check out other funding opportunities.
  2. Confirm all streets in the intersection are owned by the City using the Powell Map, which marks City-owned streets in blue.
  3. Email a request form several months before your proposed completion date to Jenn Hales at jenn.hales@raleighnc.gov.

Related Links

 

Do-It-Yourself Public Art Projects

Raleigh Arts

Public Art

Transportation Field Services

Artist Calls

Contact

 

Jenn Hales
Public Art Coordinator
jenn.hales@raleighnc.gov

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Department:
Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources
Service Categories:
Raleigh Arts
Board, Commission or Committee:
Arts Commission

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