Temporary Art Installations
Temporary street murals and public art installations bring more color and vibrancy onto the street and into daily life, contributing to a sense of place, neighborhood identity, and community pride.
Street Murals
Street Murals take advantage of our most extensive public spaces—streets—and showcase the creativity and input of local artists and residents. The City of Boston supports temporary street murals within the public right-of-way through a coordinated review and permitting process led by the Boston Transportation Department.
Street Murals are best suited to neighborhood residential streets. The design and installation of a mural should be collaborative and involve community members and local residents. Approved installations may vary in scale, location, and design depending on the site conditions, infrastructure type, operational considerations, and City approval requirements.
Painted Utility Boxes
The PaintBox program aims to beautify Boston's neighborhoods, introduce residents to the artists that live among them, and provide an opportunity for artists looking to enter the field of public art. Approved artists paint the utility boxes with their original designs.
The PaintBox program is a collaboration between the Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture, the Boston Transportation Department, and Public Works.
NOTE: We are not accepting applications for PaintBox at this time. If you would like to propose painting a utility box in your neighborhood, please submit a Public Art and Design Proposal.
Decorative Crosswalks
The City of Boston allows temporary paint installations within crosswalks on residential streets only through a coordinated review and permitting process led by the Boston Transportation Department. In addition to receiving approval for the design, applicants will also need a Street Occupancy Permit and traffic management plan in order to close the street to vehicle traffic while the painting takes place.
