Westminster City Council
SUBJECT
Title
Approval of Artwork Selections for the 2027 Signal Box Art Program.
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From: Vanessa Johnson, Community Services Director
Requested by: Administration
Prepared by: Shaunna Hunter, Senior Management Analyst; Michael Son, Management Analyst
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommendation
A. Consider approving the Cultural Arts Commission recommendation of 10 artwork submissions for the 2027 Signal Box Art Program; and
B. Authorize City staff to coordinate final signal box locations with the selected artists based on their location preferences, designated school locations, and make minor adjustments necessary to facilitate installation of the artwork.
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BACKGROUND
The Signal Box Art Program (Program) is a multi-year public art and beautification initiative designed to transform traffic signal cabinets throughout the City of Westminster into community-focused public art. The Program is intended to enhance the streetscape, celebrate Westminster's community identity, provide opportunities for local artists and students, and help deter graffiti and visual blight.
The Program directly supports the City’s Strategic Goal #5, to Enhance Quality of Life and Beautification Throughout the City. Specifically, the Program advances the City’s objectives to pursue beautification initiatives and expand opportunities for public art installations citywide. By transforming signal boxes into public artwork, the Program contributes to a more attractive streetscape, celebrates community identity, and enhances the quality of life for residents and visitors.
The Program was developed through the Cultural Arts Commission. The concept was first presented to the Cultural Arts Commission on March 4, 2026, followed by updated program guidelines, budget, and an implementation schedule on May 19, 2026.
On June 10, 2026, the City Council approved implementation of the Signal Box Art Program and allocated $25,000 in the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 budget. A program near-term goal is to complete up to 10 traffic signal boxes each year, with the long-term goal of completing all 62 traffic signal boxes within approximately six years
The Program encourages youth participation by prioritizing signal boxes located near Westminster schools for student artists from those schools. To support participating artists, the Program also provides a $750 stipend to each selected artist to assist with materials and other direct costs associated with completing their artwork.
The City subsequently was awarded an $18,750 grant from the California Arts Council to support implementation of the Signal Box Art Program through September 2027. Grant funding may be used for eligible program costs including artist outreach and selection, artist stipends, artwork development and installation, community engagement, and youth arts activities.
Call for Artists
The first “Call for Artists” opened on August 6, 2026 and closed on September 17, 2026. Applicants were required to live, work, or demonstrate a strong connection to Westminster and submit an original artwork design along with information about the artist, artwork, materials, and three preferred signal box locations.
The City received 47 artwork submissions. Following the close of the application period, City staff reviewed the submissions for compliance with the program requirements. Four submissions were received after the deadline, including one that was incomplete. A total of 43 submissions were determined eligible for consideration by the Cultural Arts Commission.
The eligible submissions represented a broad range of artists and artistic styles and included artwork submitted by students from Sequoia Academy, Warner Middle School, La Quinta High School, Marina High School, and Westminster High School.
Cultural Arts Commission Review - October 6, 2026
On October 6, 2026, the Cultural Arts Commission voted 4-0 (one absent) to recommend the following ten artwork submissions for installation and City Council approval (Attachment 1):
Submission Numbers 1, 11, 24, 29, 30, 35, 39, 40, 42, and 43.
All 43 eligible artwork submissions are included as Attachment 2 for City Council review. The City Council may approve the Commission’s recommendations or select alternative artwork from among the eligible submissions.
Signal Box Locations
As part of the application process, artists identified up to three preferred signal box locations. Since more than one selected artist requested the same location, City staff will coordinate with the artists following City Council approval to resolve any overlapping location preferences.
In assigning locations, staff will consider the artists' stated preferences, the type and configuration of the signal box, operational and site considerations, and the program's goal of prioritizing signal boxes located near Westminster schools for youth artists from those schools.
Next Steps
Following City Council approval, City staff will notify the selected artists and confirm their assigned signal box locations. Selected artists will also be required to complete all necessary administrative documents and provide any additional materials based on program requirements.
Selected artists will receive a $750 stipend to assist with materials and direct costs associated with completion of the artwork. Costs associated with the ten initial installations, including artist stipends, signal box preparation, protective coatings, community engagement, and other eligible program expenses, will be funded through existing Signal Box Art Program appropriations and grant funding.
Installation of the first ten signal box artworks is anticipated to occur between January and June 2027, based on artist availability, weather, and site conditions. Artists will paint their assigned signal boxes on site. Following completion of the artwork, the Public Works Department will apply a protective weatherproof and anti-graffiti coating. Each completed signal box will also include identification of the artist and artwork.
Staff will develop an interactive map on the City’s website featuring the selected artwork, artist statements, and installation locations, with the map anticipated to be available in early 2027.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no additional fiscal impact associated with the recommended action. The City Council approved a budget adjustment on June 10, 2026 for $25,000 to Fiscal Year 2026-27 for implementation of the Signal Box Art Program. The City subsequently was awarded an $18,750 grant from the California Arts Council to support implementation of the Signal Box Art Program through September 2027.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed as to form.
CONCLUSION
The Signal Box Art Program provides an opportunity to enhance Westminster's public spaces while showcasing the creativity of local artists and students.
The Cultural Arts Commission unanimously selected the ten artwork submissions presented for City Council consideration following its review of 43 eligible submissions. Staff recommends that the City Council confirm the Commission’s selections for the first year of the Signal Box Art Program. Approval will allow City staff and the selected artists to proceed with final location coordination and installation of the City’s first signal box artwork beginning in 2027.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Cultural Arts Commission Recommended Artwork
2. All Eligible Signal Box Art Program Submissions
3. Signal Box Location Map
REVIEWED BY
Erin Backs, Finance Director
City Attorney’s Office
Christine Cordon, City Manager