WooBox Art Project

Call for Art

The City of Worcester's Cultural Development Division, Worcester Cultural Coalition, and Department of Transportation and Mobility invite artists to submit designs for utility boxes across the City. Artists selected for the WooBox Art Project will receive a stipend of $500 for each design chosen by the committee.

This opportunity allows local artists to make their mark and contribute to the activation and vibrancy of Worcester's neighborhoods. The WooBox Art Project aims to enhance our streets, celebrate and promote local artists, and create opportunities for artists to tell Worcester's story through public art. Applicants will contribute to the City's public art landscape by creating mini murals that reflect Worcester's character, history, and creative energy. This project aligns with the City's Cultural Plan by supporting public art initiatives that advance creative placemaking and strengthen Worcester's creative economy.

Theme

The theme for the 2026 WOOBOX Art Project is: Uniquely Worcester: Exploring Worcester's Past and Present

We are seeking thoughtful, creative, and visually compelling designs that celebrate the many dimensions of Worcester and what makes the city distinct. Each utility box will reflect a different theme tied to Worcester's identity, history, and community life.

Artists are strongly encouraged to respond meaningfully and creatively, thinking deeply about how these themes can be interpreted in visually engaging and original ways.

Available Themes:

• Science and Innovation
• Historic Figures
• Visual Arts
• Performing Arts
• Athletics
• Education
• Architecture
• Nature

Eligibility Criteria and Guidelines

• Priority will be given to artists and organizations living or working in Worcester.
• Open to established and emerging artists, youth, arts organizations, residents, neighborhood associations, and community organizations.
• Applicants may submit a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 5 designs.
• A maximum of 2 designs may be selected per artist.
• Up to 29 total designs will be selected.

Design Requirements:

• Designs must cover the entire utility box.
• Designs must clearly reflect at least one of the listed themes.
• Submissions must be created using the provided digital template (8” x 10” or 11” x 17” format) in JPG, PNG, PDF with minimum resolution of 300dpi and as a standalone version outside of the template.
• Designs may include the artist's signature.
• Must accommodate a 4 x 4 inch QR code as indicated in the template.
• All designs must be original.
  • Adaptations of prior works or works by others require written consent.
• Designs must be free from:
  • Derogatory imagery
  • Profanity
  • Religious or political assertions
  • Copyright imagery or trademarks
• Designs must not advertise any business or product or resemble signage.
• WooBox Design Template

Project Timeline

• Call Launches: April 27, 2026
• Submission Deadline: June 19, 2026
• Notification of Acceptance/Award: July 17, 2026
• Installation: Anticipated late Fall 2026

Selected Designs

• Selected artists will receive $500 per selected design.
• Up to 29 designs will be selected.
• Payments will be issued within 30 days of notification.

Adjudication

• Designs will be reviewed by a committee of visual arts professionals and project representatives.
• The committee reserves the right to:
  • Request revisions to selected designs.
  • Reject any submission for any reason.

Installation Requirements

• Final designs must be submitted at 300dpi or the highest possible resolution/quality suitable for large-scale printing.
• Selected artists must be willing to revise or adapt their designs to meet production standards, including:
  • Scaling adjustments
  • Layout modifications
  • Cut marks and formatting requirements
• Final designs will be scaled to fit utility boxes and applied using laminate film.

Promotion

• Each box will include a QR code linking to a webpage with artist and project information Completed works will be featured on the Worcester Public Art Map.
• The City reserves the right to use submitted and completed designs for marketing, promotional, educational, and reporting purposes.

How to Apply

Apply Online

• Complete the application, including:
  • Statement of interest
  • Completed WooBox Design Template
• Submit hard copy applications to:

Attention: Cultural Development, Room 409
City of Worcester
455 Main Street
Worcester, MA 01608

About the WooBox Art Project

The WooBox Art Project is a city-led initiative designed to transform ordinary utility boxes into vibrant public artworks that celebrate Worcester's creativity and community spirit.

The City of Worcester's Cultural Development Office, the Worcester Cultural Coalition, in partnership with the Department of Transportation and Mobility selected local artists to design and create original art that reflects the identity and diversity of our neighborhoods.

These 37 utility boxes - once overlooked - now serve as canvases that brighten our streets, invite curiosity, and tell Worcester's story through color, texture, and imagination.

From bustling intersections to quiet corners, each WooBox installation adds a burst of creativity to our shared public spaces. The selected artists represent a range of voices and artistic styles, and their designs are inspired by themes of Worcester's Rich and Diverse Communities, celebrating community, history, culture, and vision for the future. 

By placing art directly in the environment, WooBox helps create a more vibrant, welcoming city - one that values creative expression and the power of local artists to shape the way we experience Worcester.

This project is guided by Worcester's Cultural Plan, which prioritizes public art as a tool for creative placemaking and community connection. The WooBox Art Project brings that vision to life - activating infrastructure, celebrating neighborhood identity, and supporting the city’s growing creative economy.

To explore the art around you, keep an eye out for WooBoxes across the City, and experience how public art can surprise, delight, and inspire in everyday places. Visit the Worcester Public Art - Google My Maps to see a complete list of murals, installations, and wayfinding art throughout the City.

View WooBox StoryMap