Public Art

Launched in 2015, the Traffic Box Wrap project is designed to enhance the public realm by adding works of art by local artists to public infrastructure that is often targeted by vandalism. The wrapped boxes are intended to enhance neighborhood and community identity, turn ordinary spaces into community landmarks, and promote community dialogue. Many Tacoma artists have created artwork designs that have been reproduced as vinyl wraps and applied to traffic signal boxes throughout the city as part of various public art related projects since 2015.

Murals play an integral role in the public art installations across Tacoma, and ACV regularly works with artists, partner organizations, and Tacoma communities through the collaborative process of mural-making. These powerful artworks transform public spaces, neighborhood identities, and individual lives.
In order to highlight some of the amazing muralists in Tacoma and Pierce County, ACV maintains a publicly accessible roster of mural artists whose work has been vetted by the Division through an open call process, by participating in a training program, or by successfully completing a project. This roster is a great resource for individuals or organizations looking to hire an artist to paint a mural. The roster is periodically opened for applications from new artists.

In partnership with the Public Works (PW) and Environmental Services (ES) Departments, ACV developed the Artist in Residence (AiR) program in 2024. This part-time opportunity allows artists to act as in-house creative strategists and embedded artists, who advise on and support creative policy strategies for upcoming departmental initiatives.

As creative strategists, AiRs produce art mini plans & community engagement events and create demonstration public artworks meant to increase awareness and community participation around the issues within Public Works and Environmental Services to improve customer experience and inspire behavioral change. AiRs work part-time in-person at Tacoma Municipal Building offices, out in the field, and/or in conversation with staff and the community for a minimum average of 20 hours per week for the duration of the residency. The artists are paid a stipend for their time and work and are provided access to funds for project implantation, on-site workspace, materials, expert staff, design services for the art mini-plan, and in-kind support from their respective departments.