Inspired by You

Project Vision

The Town of Swampscott has designed this program to support public art and to beautify the community and neighborhoods using murals. "Inspired by You" has been created to focus on community pride and enhancing visual aesthetics in town. The primary project goal is to bring art to unexpected places. The Town Administrator's Office has partnered with Mass Cultural Council to make this program possible. This year up to four (4) utility boxes, located along Essex Street, will be chosen to be transformed into works of art.

Application Guidelines and Deadline

To apply, complete the application and artist agreement linked here and return by 1:30pm on Thursday, May 9, 2024, to:

Dianne Marchese / Inspired by You
22 Monument Ave
Swampscott, MA 01907

Late submissions will not be accepted - no exceptions.

Eligibility

The project is open to all artists that abide by the project guidelines. All artists and artists' guardians must sign the "Artist Agreement" form to participate in the program. Artists may apply as individuals or as a group. For group submissions, a signed "Artist Agreement" for each participating artist must be included with the application form and design template.

Selection Process

Submissions will be reviewed by the Utility Box Review Committee consisting of Town staff, art professionals, and members of the community. Once the artwork is selected, artists will be notified via phone or email. All submitted proposals become property of the Town of Swampscott.

Artist Stipend and Time Frame

See "Artist Agreement" page 2. All utility boxes must be painted between May 23 and June 30, 2024, with completion no later than June 30, 2024.

Mural Specifications

See "Artist Agreement" for specifics. Selected artists and guardians are required to sign and comply with the "Artist Agreement."

Eligible Proposal Criteria

The main focus is to bring art to areas of the town in a public manner enhancing the community's neighborhoods. All art must be original ideas. The Town's priority is that the work becomes high quality art that enhances culture in town. Proposals will be judged on the following:

Creativity

Community pride

Originality

Appropriate regard for the nature of the space and the audience (remember the mural will be in a public area and must be suitable for all ages)

Artwork should include "Sponsored by Swampscott Cultural Council" (or Police or Fire Dept) - the Review Committee will provide artists with information as to the sponsorship of their particular utility box

Proposals should be designed to last a minimum of two years. However, utility boxes are public property equipment and may require upgrading or need replacing at any time. There is no guarantee of how long the artwork will remain. The Town has the right to move, remove, or destroy the artwork at any time.

Ineligible Entries

The Committee remains the sole decision maker with respect to any and all applications for utility box art as government speech of the Town. Proposals will be ineligible for any one or more of the following reasons:

Advertisements, copyrighted or trademarked images or logos, a brand or business name (unless that business has sponsored the utility box)

Art that is plagiarized, stolen, or copied from another source (i.e. somebody else's idea)

Collage or has anything glued to the box or attached by any means

Art that appears as directional signs or creates a public safety risk

Anything that is harmful to a third party in the sole discretion of the Town's Review Committee and/or the Town Administrator as government speech of the Town, including but not limited to pornographic or illegal images or images depicting alcohol, tobacco, or drug use.