HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublication 2026 Utility Wrap RFPCity of Renton Utility Box Wrap Program – RFP December 2025
Request for Proposals
Renton Utility Box Wraps
Introduction
The City of Renton, through its Municipal Arts Commission, (City) is seeking design proposals
from local artists for vinyl graphics wraps on (6) utility control boxes in Renton. Designs should
relate to the culture, history, and/or landscape of Renton. It is encouraged but not required to
make a design relating to the location of the specific utility control box that it is to be applied
to. This project is intended to transform dull utility cabinets into visually appealing, enjoyable
additions to the public right of way.
Eligibility
This request is open to all artists in the greater Seattle area, but artists living or working in
Renton are especially encouraged to submit their qualifications. Submissions that are
advertising or other signage are not eligible under this RFP and will be rejected.
With their submission, Artist(s) must confirm that any artwork submitted DOES NOT currently
appear (nor have been previously used) as utility box art in Western WA.
In compliance with the City’s internal policies against conflicts of interest, the City will not
accept submissions by, or using the artwork of, current employees or elected officials or
members of the Renton Municipal Arts Commission or the immediate families of current
employees or elected officials or members of the Renton Municipal Arts Commission.
Services
The City intends to select one or more artists to create the utility box art for the program. The
selected artist(s) will need to submit a design in a high resolution, digital format for each utility
box chosen. The City will then provide the design(s) to a contractor for fabrication and
installation. Artist(s) will receive $1,000 for each selected design location.
Available Utility Box Wrap Locations (one artist per location)
• 7th Ave SW and Shattuck
• 7th Ave SW and Hardie Ave SW
• 7th Ave SW and Oaksdale Ave SW
• 7th Ave SW and Linda Ave SW
Utility Box Program Timeline
Complete submissions must be received by Friday, January 9, 2026 to be considered for this
program. Submissions should follow the submission guidelines below.
City of Renton Utility Box Wrap Program – RFP December 2025
December 19, 2025: Call posted
January 9, 2026: Artist submissions due
January 15, 2026: Selected Artists notified
Submission Guidelines/Requirements
Please email the following materials to arts@rentonwa.gov with the subject line “Renton Utility
Box Art” followed by your name.
1.) Statement of Interest (500 words or less). Please send as a .pdf and include your
name, mailing address, phone number, email address and a website portfolio link. This
.pdf should be titled with your full name followed by “_interest”. Example:
JaneDoe_interest.pdf
2.) Resume or CV (not exceeding two pages). This should be in .pdf format, titled with
your full name followed by “_resume”. Example: JaneDoe_resume.pdf
3.) Proposed wrap artwork images, in .jpg format only (do not send .png, .gif, .tif, etc.).
Each artist or artist team can submit a maximum of two designs for consideration with a
limit of two images of each proposed design (resulting in a maximum of four images
overall). The .jpg file dimensions should be no larger than 2050 pixels on the longest
side and should be under 5MB maximum. Files should be titled with your full name
followed by “_art” and a number indicating the viewing order. Examples of file names for
someone sending two art submissions and two images of each submission (meeting the
maximum of four images), in the order they should be viewed: (first art submission)
JaneDoe_art1.jpg, JaneDoe_art2.jpg, (second art submission) JaneDoe_art3.jpg,
JaneDoe_art4.jpg.
PLEASE NOTE! The .jpg image files dimensions above are for the call selection
process only . If your artwork is chosen, your final artwork must be a high enough
resolution to print correctly on the final box wrap at full size (either vector files or
raster image files approximately 150 inches wide x 70 inches high at no less than
100dpi). Please do not submit artwork that cannot meet these requirements if
selected.
4.) Image list. Please provide a detailed description and explanation for each design .jpg
describing: themes, significance, inspirations, symbols, etc. If any design is for a certain
location, please specify which location it is for and explain why it is best suited at that
location.
City of Renton Utility Box Wrap Program – RFP December 2025
Any inquires related to this call are directed to:
Renton Municipal Arts Commission
Renton City Hall, 6th Floor
1055 S Grady Way, Renton WA 98057
Telephone: (425) 430-7271
Email: arts@rentonwa.gov
Vinyl Wrap Process
Designs selected by the City will be printed on a vinyl wrap and applied to a city utility control
box. The City is responsible for procedures and costs involving contracting a vendor to
properly apply the vinyl wrap. Vinyl wraps may be made with graffiti-resistant materials to help
prevent vandalism and make the cleaning process easier. Please note that vents, windows,
meters and occasionally other features of the utility control box cannot be wrapped so artists
should take this into account when designing or even incorporate those features into their
designs.
Evaluation Criteria and Selection
The City will consider the following criteria in selecting an artist(s) for this program:
• Artistic quality as exemplified in previous work
• Ability to think and work in a scale appropriate for outdoor public art
• Ability to convey the identity of a community through art
• Ability to relate to multiple audiences (pedestrians, cyclists, transit users, drivers)
The City reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to select one or more artists from the
respondents for the utility box art wrap program, or to accept no artists and to solicit additional
respondents.
In compliance with the City’s internal policies against conflicts of interest, the City will not
accept submissions by, or using the artwork of, current employees or elected officials or
members of the Renton Municipal Arts Commission or the immediate families of current
employees or elected officials or members of the Renton Municipal Arts Commission.
The selected Artist(s) must execute an agreement with the City substantially the same as that
in Exhibit A.
SAMPLE AGREEMENT WITH ARTIST NAME FOR DESIGN AND
USE OF ARTWORK FOR 2026 UTILITY BOX WRAP PROGRAM
THIS AGREEMENT, dated [INSERT DATE], is by and between the City of Renton (“CITY”), a
Washington municipal corporation, and ARTIST (“ARTIST”), ENTITY TYPE, whose mailing address
is: [fill in here]. CITY and ARTIST are referred to collectively in this Agreement as the “Parties.”
Once fully executed by the Parties, this Agreement is effective as of the last date signed by both
parties.
1.Background: CITY and ARTIST mutually wish to contract for CITY’s use of artwork
designed by ARTIST to be reproduced on vinyl wraps and displayed on CITY utility boxes.
2.Scope and Time for Performance: ARTIST agrees to submit to CITY, in a camera ready,
digital format, unless otherwise specified in Exhibit “A,” “Scope of Work,” which is
attached and incorporated herein, the artwork described in Exhibit “A.” Such artwork is
hereinafter referred to as “ARTWORK.” ARTIST agrees to submit ARTWORK to CITY no
later than April 30, 2023.
3.ARTIST’s Grants and Representations:
A.Delivery of ARTWORK to CITY constitutes ARTIST’s certification that (1) ARTWORK is
the original work of ARTIST; (2) ARTIST owns all rights to ARTWORK; (3) ARTWORK is
not currently, and has not previously been, used for any other utility box art in
western Washington State and (4) if ARTWORK contains recognizable images of
particular persons, ARTIST has obtained legally appropriate releases.
B.CITY may alter or crop ARTWORK as need for fabrication or installation.
C.CITY may display ARTWORK at a location selected by CITY for any term of years, at
the sole discretion of CITY, provided that ARTIST is recognized as the artist on
ARTWORK. CITY may relocate, remove, or destroy ARTWORK at CITY’s discretion,
due to wear, damage, or other for any other reason.
D.ARTIST grants to CITY a perpetual non-exclusive license to graphically and
electronically reproduce ARTWORK, while on display, for any and all future publicity
endeavors conducted by CITY, provided that any such reproduction is credited to
ARTIST by name. CITY may use the ARTIST’s photograph, other likeness, or
biography in connection with the use of ARTWORK.
RFP: EXHIBIT A (Sample Contract)
Page 1 of 5
PAGE 2 OF 5
E. At the time of execution of this Agreement, through installation of ARTWORK,
ARTIST has a currently active City of Renton business license.
4. Compensation:
A. Amount. Total compensation to ARTIST for ARTWORK provided pursuant to this
Agreement shall not exceed $1,000.00 (one thousand dollars). Except as specifically
provided herein, ARTIST shall be solely responsible for payment of any taxes imposed
as a result of the performance and payment of this Agreement. Other than as
specified, ARTIST relinquishes the right to any financial proceeds in association with
CITY’s use or reproductions of ARTWORK.
B. Method of Payment. Upon completion of ARTWORK, ARTIST shall submit a voucher
or invoice in a form specified by CITY. Payment shall be made by CITY within thirty (30)
calendar days after receipt and approval by the appropriate CITY representative of the
voucher or invoice. CITY may withhold payment for work that does not meet the
requirements of this Agreement.
C. Effect of Payment. Payment for any part of the Work shall not constitute a waiver by
the City of any remedies it may have against the Artist for failure of the Artist to
perform the Work or for any breach of this Agreement by the Artist.
5. Record Maintenance: ARTIST shall maintain accounts and records, which properly reflect
all work provided in the performance of this Agreement and retain such records for as
long as may be required by applicable Washington State records retention laws, but in
any event no less than six years after the termination of this Agreement. ARTIST agrees
to provide timely and complete access to, and copies of, any records related to this
Agreement as required by CITY to audit expenditures and charges and/or to comply with
the Washington State Public Records Act (Chapter 42.56 RCW). ARTIST shall indemnify,
defend, and hold harmless CITY for all costs, including attorneys’ fees, attendant to any
claim or litigation related to a request made under the Washington State Public Records
Act for which ARTIST has responsive records and for which ARTIST has withheld records
or information contained therein, or not provided them to CITY in a timely manner. The
provisions of this section shall survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement.
6. Independent Contractor Relationship:
A. ARTIST is retained by CITY only for the purposes and to the extent set forth in this
Agreement. The nature of the relationship between ARTIST and CITY shall be that of
an independent contractor, not employee.
B. The City shall not be responsible for withholding or otherwise deducting federal
income tax or Social Security or contributing to the State Industrial Insurance
RFP: EXHIBIT A (Sample Contract)
Page 2 of 5
PAGE 3 OF 5
Program, or otherwise assuming the duties of an employer with respect to Artist or
any employee of the Artist.
C. If the Artist is a sole proprietorship or if this Agreement is with an individual, the Artist
agrees to notify the City and complete any required form if the Artist retired under a
State of Washington retirement system and agrees to indemnify any losses the City
may sustain through the Artist’s failure to do so.
7. Hold Harmless: ARTIST shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless CITY, its officers,
agents, employees, and assigns, from and against any and all damages, claims, suits,
and/or actions arising from any copyright or trademark infringement, or any negligent
act, negligent activity, or omission of ARTIST or any employee or agents of ARTIST in and
during the performance of this Agreement.
8. Discrimination Prohibited: Except to the extent permitted by a bona fide occupational
qualification, ARTIST agrees as follows: ARTIST, and ARTIST’s agents, employees,
representatives, and volunteers with regard to ARTWORK performed or to be performed
under this Agreement, shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion,
nationality, creed, marital status, sexual orientation or preference, age (except minimum
age and retirement provisions), honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the
presence of any sensory, mental or physical handicap, unless based upon a bona fide
occupational qualification in relationship to hiring and employment, in employment or
application for employment, the administration of the delivery of ARTWORK or any other
benefits under this Agreement, or procurement of materials or supplies.
9. Other Provisions:
A. Sole and Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the
Parties and any representations or understandings, whether oral or written, not
incorporated are excluded.
B. General Administration and Management. The City’s project manager is [INSERT
PROJECT MANAGER]. In providing Work, Artist shall coordinate with the City’s project
manager or his/her designee.
C. Amendment and Modification. This Agreement may be amended only by an
instrument in writing, duly executed by both Parties.
D. Successors and Assigns. Neither CITY nor ARTIST shall assign, transfer or encumber
any rights, duties or interests accruing from this Agreement without the written
consent of the other.
RFP: EXHIBIT A (Sample Contract)
Page 3 of 5
PAGE 4 OF 5
E. Conflicts. In the event of any inconsistencies between ARTIST proposals or ARTIST-
prepared exhibits and this Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall prevail.
F. Governing Law, Jurisdiction, and Venue. This Agreement shall be made in and shall be
governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Washington
and the City of Renton. Any lawsuit or legal action brought by any party to enforce or
interpret this Agreement or any of its terms or covenants shall be brought in the King
County Superior Court for the State of Washington at the Maleng Regional Justice
Center in Kent, King County, Washington, or its replacement or successor.
G. Counterparts. The Parties may execute this Agreement in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original, and all of which will together
constitute this one Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have voluntarily entered into this Agreement as of the date
last signed by the Parties below.
CITY OF RENTON
By:_____________________________
ARTIST
By:____________________________
Gina Estep
Administrator, CED Department
[NAME]
Artist
_____________________________
Date
_____________________________
Date
Approved as to Legal Form
_____________________________
M. Patrice Kent
Sr. Assistant City Attorney
TEMPLATE: 2026 (TBD)
RFP: EXHIBIT A (Sample Contract)
Page 4 of 5
PAGE 5 OF 5
EXHIBIT A
SCOPE OF WORK
BACKGROUND:
The project will involve Artist submitting original digital artwork that will be used to
wrap utility boxes in various locations throughout the City. Artwork will be delivered to
City in camera ready, digital format. City will use the artwork according to the terms of
Section 3 of the Agreement.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
Artistic design {insert per call for art response}
Location of design {insert utility box location}
RFP: EXHIBIT A (Sample Contract)
Page 5 of 5