Beautify Winchester! The 2025 Utility Box Program Now Open

Artists are invited to submit proposed designs for decorations of designated utility boxes in Winchester. If approved, they will be able to create their design and receive a stipend of $450.

To apply, use the online form. Deadline for submission is the end of the day on Monday, May 26, 2025. Following that deadline, the proposals will be reviewed by a selection committee for artistic quality, suitability for the location, and durability/sustainability. The art should enliven the area, beautify the street and reflect the neighborhood or area where box is located. Decisions are announced within two weeks of the submission deadline. Artists will then have two months to realize their design, with extensions of the completion date available on request.

Post-deadline applications may be accepted at the discretion of the WCC. Projects not completed within the designated time may be considered for assignment to other artists.

Basic Rules

  • Applicants must be 18 years of age or older.
  • Proposals may be submitted by individuals or by groups of artists. A group may include individuals under 18 years of age, but at least one member of the group must be 18 or older.
  • Applicants need not be residents of Winchester, but Winchester residents will be given a higher priority in the selection process.
  • Artists may submit up to 3 designs for a given box
  • Artists may apply for up to two boxes in any application cycle.
  • Artists agree that their work can be painted over at any time by the Town of Winchester.
  • Stipend is $450, including materials, paid upon documented completion of work.
  • For payment, artists will be required to submit a W-9 form. Stipends may be considered taxable income.
  • Prior to starting work, artists must sign the Winchester Artist Release and Indemnity Agreement.

Design Restrictions and Requirements

  • Utility boxes can be painted or wrapped. Designs should cover the accessible and visible portion of one entire utility box.
  • The artwork will be a long-term installation and will become the property of the Town of Winchester. Quality and durability will be among the criteria for approval. Paint used should be high quality, lightfast exterior acrylics finished with an isolation coat of clear acrylic gloss medium and anti-graffiti varnish.
  • The design should be an original work of art, and should not incorporate advertisements or logos, or include promotional material or political advocacy of any kind.
  • The design should be suitable for viewing by all ages.
  • The design should not in any way impair the accessibility of function of the box.
  • The design should not include any markings that could be confused for directional signage and that would cause any kind of safety hazard.
  • Artwork may include artist signature(s) if discreetly incorporated into the art.

Any beautiful design meeting these criteria is welcome.

See bottom of page for a list of participating utility boxes.

Related Documents
Utility box program flier

List of participating utility boxes

The Cultural Council has identified the following utility boxes which are eligible to be decorated. The boxes listed here can be found (by number) on a Google map or click "View map" to see a single box's location. Click on the "[Picture]" link to see a photograph of the box. Other boxes may be requested but will need to be approved by the town (DPW and WCC) before being eligible.

  1. Bacon Street, at Wedgemere Station • [Picture] • View map
  2. North Main Street, in Bellino Park • [Picture] • View map
  3. Mt. Vernon House • [Picture] • View map
  4. Myrtle Street-Chefalo Wadleigh Park • Across from the Winchester Public Library • [Picture] • View map
  5. Skillings Rd, Jenks Parking Lot • The charging stations are not to be painted. • [Picture] • View map
  6. Water Street at Main Street • [Picture] • View map
  7. Swanton Street, near Parkview Barber Shop • [Picture] • View map
  8. Washington Street at Lincoln School • Near school playground (not the one at the corner of MVP) • [Picture] • View map
  9. Wildwood Street at Nutile Field • On south side of Wildwood Street across from Nutile Field entrance  • [Picture] • View map
  10. Skillings Field, on Skillings Road, Silver box • One of two at the athletic field parking lot; unfinished surface • [Picture] • View map

Box eligibility criteria: Eligible utility boxes must be located on Town property. The boxes must be accessible and suitable for painting or other decoration without impairment of functionality. The participating boxes listed have been reviewed and approved by the Winchester Department of Public Works. Additional boxes may be added if they meet these criteria.