Have you ever wondered how and why the electric boxes throughout town get painted? Maybe you’ve seen the Rubik’s Cube inspired box off Hwy 66 or the cube of cheese on Hover St. Submit your Shock Art design by June 30, 2023, and make Longmont even more beautiful!

In partnership with Longmont Power & Communications (LPC), Longmont Art in Public Places (AIPP) commissions 7-10 artist/artist teams to visually transform selected dull electric boxes into dynamic works of art. Selected artists or artist teams are provided a $2,000 stipend. Anticipated painting time will be late summer/early fall.

Artists wishing to participate should create a 11”L x 10”W x 7.25”H painted scale model and complete the online Shock Art submission form. All models are due no later than June 30, 2022.

Models can be delivered to:

• Longmont Museum, 400 Quail Road, Longmont, CO 80501 Monday through Saturday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Sunday 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
• Longmont Downtown District Authority, 320 Main Street, Longmont, CO 80501, Monday through Friday 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Artists/teams are responsible for:

1. Constructing a 11” x 10” x 7.25” model and executing their design on the model,
2. Attending training in advance,
3. Labor / travel expenses, and
4. All painting materials to paint the box (please note spray paint is not permitted).

AIPP will be responsible for assigning locations and priming the boxes in advance of artist painting, graffiti sealing after the design is complete as well as organizing the advance training with LPC. 

The boxes will go on display where residents are welcome to vote for their 5 favorite designs at Old Town Marketplace 332 Main Street, where the boxes will be on display from July 8-22. Voting will go through July 22 both online and in-person. The selected designs will then be painted on electric boxes in various locations around the City of Longmont and selected artists and artist teams will be commissioned to complete the painting. City contract and program participation guidelines will apply to all selected artists – including confirmation of qualification and approval of final project.

Shock Art is a collaborative effort between Art in Public Places and Longmont Power & Communications, who owns and oversees the equipment.  Artists’ stipends are funded by 1% of City Capital Improvement Projects which funds the public art program within the City of Longmont.

For more information on how to apply and answers to frequently asked questions, check out the Shock Art webpage. We look forward to the creativity and talent artists can bring to Longmont.