Downtown Oklahoma City Initiatives is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to fostering creativity and culture through public art and activation. Through grant programs and open calls for artists, we fund projects that inspire conversation, spark wonder, and activate spaces throughout the urban core.
Utility Box Art Wraps
Overview – Downtown OKC Initiatives invites artists and designers to submit qualifications for the design of utility box wraps within Bricktown. This project will select eight artists, each commissioned to design artwork for one utility box located at high foot-traffic intersections and along the Bricktown Canal. The selected designs will be fabricated as vinyl wraps and installed by a local contractor. Artists will be required to develop final artwork using a template provided by the vinyl contractor.
Oklahoma Music & Sports – Bricktown is widely recognized as the birthplace of local music in Oklahoma City. It is home to the original Douglass High School, where renowned music educator Zelia Breaux taught jazz legends Charlie Christian and Jimmy Rushing. Today, Bricktown continues this legacy through institutions and venues including:
- Academy of Contemporary Music
- American Banjo Museum
- The Oklahoma Opry
- The Criterion
- Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill
- JJ’s Alley and Skinny Slim’s
Bricktown is also home to the OKC Comets and Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame. With streets named after Oklahoma music and sports icons like Wanda Jackson, the Flaming Lips, Kings of Leon, Vince Gill, Mickey Mantle and Joe Carter, Bricktown’s connection to music and sports runs literally and figuratively through its streets.
Designs should celebrate Oklahoma’s musical legacy and Oklahoma-born athletes. This may include:
- Individual musicians, bands and athletes from Oklahoma
- Musical instruments or equipment
- Historical or contemporary references
- Abstract, color-based, or pattern-driven designs inspired by Oklahoma music
- Up to 2 designs may recognize Oklahoma-born sports legends. Sports-related designs should not feature Oklahoma City Thunder logos or references
Artists are encouraged to interpret the theme creatively. A majority of the designs will lean into music culture, while 1-2 locations may reference Oklahoma born-sports legends.
Eligibility – Graphic artists, illustrators, commercial artists, and designers are encouraged to apply.
Compensation – Chosen designs/artists will be provided $750 per box to complete their design.
Artwork Duration & Maintenance – Artwork is anticipated to remain on display for approximately two (2) years, depending on conditions. The City of Oklahoma City and Downtown OKC Initiatives reserve the right to remove or replace artwork at any time due to vinyl deterioration, vandalism, construction, or other operational needs. While reasonable efforts will be made to maintain the installations, artists acknowledge that utility box wraps are subject to weathering and public use.
Submission Requirements – Designers must submit a proposal with the following information:
- Artist information: Artist name, address, email, phone and website
- Past Work Examples: 3–5 examples of past artwork or designs
- At least 2 examples must be digitally rendered graphic designs
- Example artwork and final design must not be the product of or contain imagery derived by Artificial Intelligence
- Proposal: A written description of a proposed concept related to the project theme
- Sketches, mockups, or visual concepts are welcome but not required. The utility box template will only be provided to selected artists after selection.
How to Apply
Submit the above information via email to kristen@downtownokc.com, subject line: Vinyl Box Wrap Submission (Insert artist name).
Submission deadline is 5pm, Friday, March 23, 2026.
Timeline
- Submission Deadline: March 23, 2026
- Artist Notification: Late March 2026
- Installation: Summer 2026 (anticipated)
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