Contact: info@frederickartscouncil.org
301.662.4190
Frederick, MD – The Frederick Arts Council (FAC), the Downtown Frederick Partnership, and the City of Frederick are inviting artists throughout Frederick County to submit qualifications for the “Creative Sparks” utility box project. This program is funded in part by a Community Partnership Grant from the Frederick County Government and a grant from the City of Frederick. The project will transform utility boxes throughout Frederick into vibrant works of public art. The aim is to enhance Frederick’s streetscape through creative designs that celebrate the city’s identity, history, culture, and evolving arts scene.
The Creative Sparks project offers local artists an opportunity to bring their work into the public realm. Selected artwork will be professionally reproduced as vinyl wraps and installed on utility boxes throughout Frederick. Artists will not be responsible for the cost of vinyl reproduction, allowing them to focus on developing creative designs that engage residents and visitors.
The project offers two opportunities for participating artists. The “Lead Artist and Mentor Opportunity” will provide $1,200 in compensation to a selected lead artist who will develop a utility box design and mentor a mentee throughout the creative process. Lead artists and mentees will participate in two project meetings, supporting artistic exchange, knowledge-sharing, and professional development. Artists may also apply as a “Utility Box Artist”, with compensation of $800 for a design without a mentee.
Artists are encouraged to consider how their designs can reflect Frederick’s unique identity and history. Designs may respond to specific locations or districts, incorporate elements of Frederick’s character, or explore an artist’s own creative vision. The commissioning entity may also incorporate wayfinding or identifying labels to help direct the public to nearby civic, cultural, and community destinations.
Artists working in a variety of media and styles are encouraged to apply. Experience in public art, graphic design, illustration, painting, photography, digital art, and other visual practices is welcome. Applicants should consider how their work will translate across the multiple visible surfaces of a utility box, including the scale, visibility, durability, and graphic qualities of artwork reproduced as a vinyl wrap.
Artists must be at least 18 years old and reside in Frederick County. Submissions should include a brief description of the proposed artwork and, if applicable, its connection to Frederick; an artist statement and biography; three images of relevant work from the artist’s current portfolio; and contact information.
The deadline for submissions is November 9, 2026. Apply via slideroom with the link https://frederickartscouncil.slideroom.com/#/login/program/91886
To view the guidelines for the project click here
Public art enriches communities and transforms shared places into meaningful places that inspire connection. The FAC vision is a Frederick where public art connects residents and visitors, expresses an authentic and unique sense of place, drives economic prosperity through creativity, and advances a culturally inclusive and empowered future.
For more information about our public art master plan visit FAC-Master-Plan-2018-WEB.pdf
About the Frederick Arts Council
The Frederick Arts Council invests in a vibrant and cohesive arts community for the people of Frederick County. The organization fosters an environment where the arts flourish in the community through grants and scholarships, arts advocacy, and links to essential resources. FAC is responsible for large-scale programming such as Sky Stage, Frederick Festival of the Arts, Art in the Park, the Public Art Initiative, and Frederick County’s Arts in Education grants.
For more information about the Frederick Arts Council, visit www.frederickartscouncil.org.