Paint the City

Calling All Saratoga Artists!

Get out your paintbrushes and get ready to transform plain utility boxes into works of art. 

Paint the City Voting

Voting for Paint the City closed on May 7. Saratoga artists were invited to submit conceptual artwork for 3 different utility box locations throughout the City. A subcommittee of the Public Art Commission carefully reviewed the outstanding submissions and narrowed choices to 3 options for each of the locations. The artwork that receives the most votes at each location will be presented to the Public Art Commission and then City Council for final approval.  

Utility Box Locations

There are 3 utility box locations throughout the City. 

  • Location 1: Saratoga Avenue at State Route 85 North, $600 Stipend
  • Location 2: Saratoga Avenue at State Route 85 South, $600 Stipend
  • Location 3: Saratoga Avenue at Dagmar Drive, $600 Stipend

Artist Selection 

The Public Art Commission will select up to 3 designs per utility box location and then the community will then be invited to rank the designs at each location. The highest-ranked designs will be presented to the City Council.

Application Criteria

  • Artists must be Saratoga residents
  • Artists must be age 10 and older
  • Applications must include original, full-color artwork on the Paint the City artwork template
  • Only 1 concept per utility box location is allowed, artists may not submit applications for multiple locations
  • Artwork should align with the criteria below

The application period closed on March 12, 2023. 

Artwork Criteria

Artwork must cover the entire box, not including handles, hinges, or box identification markers. The lower right corner of the back panel will be reserved for the artist name(s). Entries must be the original design of the applicant(s) and suitable for viewing by all ages.

Artwork may not contain the following:

  • Text
  • Political statements or symbols
  • Religious references or symbols
  • Profane or offensive content
  • Graffiti-like style artwork
  • Copyrighted or trademarked material
  • Corporate or organizational references, branding, logos, flags, or symbols
  • Colors or combinations of colors that simulate official traffic control devices
  • Graphics that imitate traffic control devices

Selected artists will be required to sign an Assignment and Transfer of Copyright and Waiver of Moral Rights in Artwork agreement that also authorizes the City to use artwork.

Artist Responsibilities

Selected artists are responsible for providing all the necessary supplies and tools, including paint, brushes, topcoat, and a protective coating. Recommended paint and protective coating will be provided to selected artists. Artists are also responsible for keeping utility box location clean and orderly, including the placement of tarps to keep the site clean of paint. 

Paint the City Artwork

Since the Paint the City program was created in 2018, 20 utility boxes throughout the City have been painted. 

2020 Location 1