Keep Bartlesville Beautiful (KBB), with support from the City of Bartlesville Community Development Department, is calling on artists to transform four traffic control boxes into works of public art. The KBB Traffic Control Box Art Project will wrap the boxes in vinyl printed with original designs that celebrate Bartlesville’s history, people and places.
The boxes in this first round are at four intersections:
- Madison Boulevard and Adams Boulevard
- Silver Lake Road and Adams Boulevard
- Virginia Avenue and Adams Boulevard
- Washington Boulevard (US 75) and Nowata Road
Individual artists and artist teams may submit up to three designs. Each selected design earns a $500 commission. Artists are responsible for the design only; the City will handle fabrication and installation, which is expected between January and March 2027, weather permitting. The call is open to all artists, and those with a connection to Bartlesville are especially encouraged to apply. Student participation and collaboration count toward scoring.
An independent review committee will score submissions on artistic merit, connection to Bartlesville’s history and culture, storytelling, student participation, connection to the specific site, and technical feasibility. The KBB Committee will make final selections on November 24, 2026.
Key dates
- Monday, Oct. 26, noon: Optional artist information meeting (Community Development conference room, City Hall 2nd floor, 401 S. Johnstone Ave.)
- Monday, Oct. 26, noon: Written questions due
- Friday, Nov. 13, 5 p.m.: Proposals due
- Tuesday, Nov. 24: Artists selected
- January-March, 2027 (weather permitting): Installation
How to apply
The full Call to Artists, including the box location map and a design template sized to the boxes (3′ 3″ wide × 2′ 3″ deep × 4′ 11″ tall), is available in the KBB Traffic Control Box Art Project Call to Artists and Submission Guidelines. Proposals must be submitted through the KBB Traffic Control Box Art Project online submission portal. Questions should be sent in writing to planning@cityofbartlesville.org with the subject line “KBB Traffic Control Box Art Project – RFP Question.”
About Keep Bartlesville Beautiful
Keep Bartlesville Beautiful (KBB) is a committee that supports and encourages community beautification projects within the City of Bartlesville. The City of Bartlesville Community Development Department supports KBB in administering the Traffic Control Box Art Project.