York City Planter Call for Art Application

Instructions, Eligibility, and Project Background

ABOUT THE PUBLIC ART PLANTER PROJECT
 

As part of our recent YoCo Public Art toolkit development, the Cultural Alliance and Downtown Inc. heard from many residents, downtown businesses, and focus group participants that they wanted to create an opportunity to beautify the 16 new blank concrete planters that were installed along the Market Street corridor in 2025. In coordination with the City of York Public Works, the Cultural Alliance is providing funding to run a test of how temporary outdoor vinyl installations featuring the work of local artists could be used as a cost-effective way to beautify the planters, highlight York’s art community, and build public pride.

 

Artists will each be assigned a planter, so 16 artists will be chosen. Each chosen artist can submit 1, 2, or 4 unique images; one that will appear on all four sides (1), two unique images per two sides (2),  or a unique image per side (4). Artist will be paid $150 to reproduce their image(s). There will be one $150 honorarium, no matter how many images are submitted for reproduction. Each image will be printed 24" H by 36" W -please make sure your submitted work matches these dimensions.

 

Artists are asked to submit images featuring one or more of the following themes that are specific to York county: Agriculture, Arts & Culture, Diversity, Education, Environment, History/Preservation, and Nature.

 

WHERE
The planters are located along Market Street at the intersections of Pershing, Beaver, George, and Duke Streets in downtown York.

 

ARTIST DEADLINES
The Cultural Alliance of York County will accept artist applications until June 26, 2026 at 5pm via this online submission form at www.culturalyork.org

 
ELIGIBILITY
The Public Art Planter Call for Art is open to ALL York County based artists and groups from the acclaimed to the amateur. Painters, sculptors, craftsmen, multi-media artists, and other wildly creative people are all encouraged to apply. Each commissioned planter will receive one honorarium regardless of group size or number of images featured

 

TIMELINE
The Cultural Alliance, Downtown Inc. and the City of York will review all submitted artwork and choose 16 artists to feature on the planters. Chosen artists will be contacted for high resolution images 24"H x 36" W and honorarium payment.

 

INSTALLATION OF ARTWORK
Artists will not be responsible for the installation of vinyl artwork onto the planters.

 

DESIGN GUIDELINES
Artists should bear in mind that the audience will be broad-based and of all ages, and designs should be appropriate for public display. Designs that are religious, political, or sexual in nature will not be accepted. As outlined below, designs will be evaluated to ensure they conform to these guidelines.

The Cultural Alliance may reject any design that, in its sole discretion, does not adhere to these guidelines.

 

Artists are asked to submit images featuring one or more of the following themes that are specific to York county: Agriculture, Arts & Culture, Diversity, Education, Environment, History/Preservation, and Nature.

RIGHTS AND ENTITLEMENTS
By submitting your application, you confirm that:

• You are the original creator of your design.
• You have not copied anyone else's original work
• Your design does not infringe on anyone else's intellectual property rights (for example, trademark, copyrights trade dress, design patent).
• To the extent anyone else has contributed to your design, you shall obtain a signed, written agreement from that person assigning all their rights in their contribution to you.

By signing, dating, and submitting this application, you are indicating your understanding that you are assigning the right to the Cultural Alliance of York County to reproduce your image for installation on the planter ONLY. Please remember to keep a copy of these forms for your records.

Once selected,you will receive your $150 honorarium as soon as we receive the high resolution images for reproduction.You will be acknowledged as the artist on signage/QR code attachedtotheplanterandinappropriatepublications.

Artists should bear in mind that the audience will be broad-based and of all ages, and designs should be appropriate for public display. Designs that are religious, political, or sexual in nature will not be accepted. Additionally, corporate logos and advertising are not allowed on designs

WHEREAS, Artist understands and acknowledges that, as part of the application process, it is intended that Cultural Alliance of York County, with an address of 17 East Philadelphia Street in York, PA 17401 will reproduce the Design and install on a planter in downtown York using adhesive vinyl.

 WHEREAS Artist desires to transfer the right to reproduce the Design for installation on the planters for one-time installation;

 WHEREAS, Artist understands and acknowledges that Cultural Alliance of York County shall pay to Artist a $150.00 honorarium within 30 days of selection of their Design and submission of high resolution image(s).

 NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound hereby, Artist hereby assigns to Cultural Alliance of York County reproduction rights therefore. Artist acknowledges and agrees that, due to the nature of the public display of the Design, Cultural Alliance of York County shall not be liable for any distortion, mutilation, modification, or destruction of the printed artwork by accident, act of God or person.

 Artist hereby waives his/her/their rights under the Visual Artists Rights Act (‘VARA”), 17 U.S.C. 106A, as againstCultural Alliance of York County in the event of such distortion, mutilation, modification, or destruction. Artist further acknowledges and agrees that if the Design reproduction is vandalized, damaged, or otherwise modified, Cultural Alliance of York County shall have the right to make, or have made, such repairs, even if the repairs would constitute a distortion, mutilation, or modification under VARA.

Artist hereby waives his/her/their rights under VARA in the event and to the extent Cultural Alliance of York County deems such repair necessary.

 Artist represents to Cultural Alliance of York County that he/she/they is/are the sole author(s) of the Designs and that the Design is an original work of authorship which does not infringe upon the copyright rights or any intellectual property rights of others, and that he/she/they has/have the unencumbered right to make this assignment.