The City of New Braunfels is requesting art submissions for its Traffic Signal Box Art Program. Artists are encouraged to create and submit a design to be digitally printed on UV protected vinyl and wrapped on traffic signal boxes located Downtown. This project will add street level artwork to brighten city streetscapes, enhance community pride, create a sense of place and identity, and allow local artists to showcase their creativity.
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Theme
“New Braunfels: Life’s a Splash!”
This theme is purposely broad to allow for open interpretation and creativity by artists.
Eligibility & Guidelines
The City of New Braunfels will accept art submissions from amateur and professional artists of all ages. Applicants may enter up to two submissions for consideration. All applicants must reside within the New Braunfels City Limits or within the Extra Territorial Jurisdiction (“ETJ”).
A complete application is required for all submissions.
Submissions can be drawings, paintings, textiles, photography, mixed media, etc. that is able to be digitally scanned and converted into a high-resolution file.
All artwork submissions must be provided digitally. Submissions require the artwork to be scaled down to fit file size requirements. If the artwork is selected, a higher-quality file will be requested via thumb drive submitted to City Hall by a provided deadline.
Submitted artwork must be original but may be a new piece or an existing work of the artist but may not be on display in other public art programs. This does not include a previous or ongoing gallery exhibition.
Submitted artwork cannot include any trademarks, brands, advertisements, religious art, sexual content, negative imagery, political partisanship, traffic signs, traffic lights, or roadway signals.
Artists of selected artwork will sign an Art Release Form and will be provided a $500.00 stipend for their work.
Selected artwork and artist’s name will be included in Citywide art archives and may be included in a City press release and on City social media channels. A small QR code as well as the City of New Braunfels logo will be added to the artwork. The QR code will link to a City webpage where artist bios and artwork details will be listed.
Artwork will be installed on a single traffic signal box and will remain for 3-5 years (the expected life-span for the UV vinyl) or at the discretion of the City of New Braunfels.
Judging Criteria
A six-member Art Selection Committee will evaluate the art submissions and make a recommendation for selection.
Art will be graded on visual impact, engagement/interactivity/potential for photo ops, connection to New Braunfels, creativity/uniqueness, and connection to the theme – with up to 10 points awarded in each of the 5 categories.
Design Dimensions
Art will not be affixed to the tops of the boxes. Preliminary artwork submissions should be sent in as PDF or jpeg files limited to 100MB through the Traffic Signal Box Art Application Form. If artwork is selected to be wrapped on a traffic signal box, a file of 300dpi or higher at final size is recommended for best print quality, otherwise the image may appear pixilated or distorted. This file must be submitted, via thumb drive, to City Hall by a required deadline to make print deadlines. This deadline will be communicated to the artist with as much advance notice as possible.
The traffic signal boxes generally have the following dimensions, with slight variations for certain models:
Art Box Locations
Seven traffic signal boxes have been selected for artwork. They are located at the following streets:
The Downtown Board will assign selected artwork to each location. Please do not create art for a specific box.
Next Steps
Complete application and submit art by 5:00PM on March 28, 2025
City staff will review and process applications and art submissions
The Art Selection Committee will meet to review and recommend submissions to the Downtown Board in April - May 2025
The New Braunfels Downtown Board will convene and take action to approve recommendations on May 20, 2025
Artists will be informed via email if their work is selected
Artists will complete an Art Release Form, submit their artwork (in final format) to City Hall, provide payment details to Accounts Payable, and receive a $500 stipend for their work
Artwork will be submitted to vinyl printer and installed in June 2025 (estimated)
Questions