Utility Cabinet Art Contest

Overview

Metro Water Recovery is seeking original 2D artwork to display on a vinyl wrap for a utility cabinet in Denver at the National Western Center and CSU Spur campus. The artwork will showcase community character and Metro's environmental stewardship while helping beautify Metro property and reduce maintenance needs.

Key Dates

• July 11: Call for art opens
• September 13, 2026: Submission deadline
• September 14–18: Selection committee selects finalists for public voting
• September 21–October 5: Public voting
• October: Winner announced and vinyl wrap installed

Eligibility

All Colorado artists ages 16+. For artists under 18, a parent/guardian must submit the artwork. Artists at all levels are welcome; no professional experience required. Collaboration with a team is permitted. Metro highly encourages participation from neighbors closest to the project location.

Artwork Criteria

• Connects to Metro's mission to protect the region's health and environment by cleaning water and recovering resources
• Family-friendly with no logos, political or religious references
• Space must be included for a QR code and Metro's logo (clearly visible from ~10 feet away)
• Preference is for near full coverage, similar to a mural, to minimize negative space

Cabinet Specifications

• Size: 6' wide by 6' tall by 3' deep

Application Requirements

• Submit sketches, pictures, or images that portray the full-scale vision; submissions do not need to be full size
• Hand-drawn or digital formats accepted; digital artwork must be submitted as .jpg file type
• Stock photos and AI-generated images will not be accepted; all submissions must be original work
• No limit to the number of colors; please limit negative space in the design
• Text may be included provided it is minimal and supports the theme
• 1–5 images per submission; multiple submissions are welcome

Selection Process

The art selection committee consisting of Metro employees and community partners will review all submissions and select 3–5 finalists based on the Artwork Criteria and overall aesthetic appeal. Submissions from residents of the Globeville, Elyria-Swansea neighborhoods will receive bonus points. The top designs will be announced to the public, and anyone will have the opportunity to vote once for their favorite online.

Award & Next Steps

The winner will receive $500. Once the final design is selected, Metro will coordinate the final piece with the vinyl wrap vendor. After winning, a vector file will be requested or developed in collaboration with the vendor, ideally designed at 100% scale at 72 dpi or better.

Contact

Metro Water Recovery | Email: [email protected] | Phone: 720-484-4864