Opportunity & Project Description
The Town of Jonesborough’s McKinney Center invites proposals from regional artists, art teams and community organizations, for the opportunity to provide artwork to be displayed on traffic control and electrical box wraps throughout the town. The Town of Jonesborough plans to install control box art wraps at several locations throughout the town, beginning with Main Street, Boone Street, the Jonesborough Public Library, and the McKinney Center, which are located at significant intersections and high traffic areas. A local fabricator will provide templates and measurements for the artists to use as guides. Artwork must be properly sized to ensure a high-quality final product. The Town of Jonesborough will select several artists and art teams to implement their design proposal. Priority will be given to regional artists.
Artists may submit up to three designs. Wrap designs may explore any theme, though the content must be appropriate for all audiences. Artwork must be designed to fit within specific dimensions for each control box to ensure that the image is not distorted or off-center. The artwork may be designed of any size as long as it is proportionally suited to the control boxes. After the proposed designs are selected and finalized, artists will upload/scan/photograph their work as specified below and send it to the McKinney Center. Designs will be printed on durable, vinyl wraps and installed on the appropriate control boxes. The McKinney Center will oversee the processing and installation of each wrap. Following the proposal selection, selected artists will be allotted one week to finalize their designs if they have not already done so. The artists selected to design artwork for the additional, smaller boxes will be allotted two weeks to finalize designs.
Eligibility
This project is open to all professional artists over the age of 18 with previous professional art and design experience. Due to Jonesborough’s unique heritage this project is also open to organizations that may wish to submit historical photographs, artwork, or documents for consideration. Artists may use original, existing artwork which could consist of illustrations, paintings, computer designs, digital images, quilts, mosaics, photography, and more. The final artwork will be translated into a digital file and printed on vinyl. The vinyl wrap will cover up to four sides of the traffic box.
Theme
Jonesborough is Tennessee’s oldest incorporated town, established in 1779. Designs should enhance Jonesborough’s historic district and reflect its preservation values. Contemporary interpretations of places, structures, and natural landscapes are welcomed.
Budget
One proposal will be selected for the project, and the finalist will be paid a $250 honorarium for his/her/their finalized proposal. Other proposals may be selected to design artwork for additional boxes in the near future. The selected artist will be responsible for their own materials and photography equipment.
Conflict of Interest
Excluded from this call are employees of the Town of Jonesborough, members of their household and immediate family members.
Location
Corner of Lincoln and Boone Street, in front of CookOut
Application Materials
- Letter of Interest
- Artists Bio/Artist Statement
- Up to 3 Designs
Timeline
- March 2, 2026 Call for Artists Released
- March 20, 2026 Questions/Clarifications due via email
- April 3, 2026 Applications due
- April 17, 2026 Artist Selected for Recommendation to Historic Zoning
- April 23, 2026 Historic Zoning Recommendations sent to the Jonesborough BMA
- May 11, 2026 BMA vote on final design
- May 22, 2026 Artist deliver artwork to the McKinney Center
- TBD Fabrication/Installation
Deadline
March 20, 2026 by 5pm Eastern Time
Questions?
Skye McFarland – Email: skyem@jonesboroughtn.org or Call: 423.753.0562