Little Tokyo Utility Box Public Art Project
Sustainable Little Tokyo
Call for Proposals
Japanese American Cultural and Community Center (JACCC) in collaboration with Sustainable Little Tokyo and the
office of Councilmember José Huizar invites artists deeply rooted in Little Tokyo to submit 2-dimensional plans and
drawings to be considered for 10 utility box beautification projects.
OVERVIEW
Since late 2012, Little Tokyo has been developing a vision for neighborhood sustainability that respects and enhances
the neighborhood’s history and culture. Sustainable Little Tokyo’s vision is based on community values for resource
conservation and seeks to build a cultural eco-district. We define sustainability in three ways: environmentally,
economically, and culturally/historically.
Founded in 1971, the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center is one of the largest ethnic arts and cultural
centers of its kind in the United States. The mission of the JACCC is to present, perpetuate, transmit and promote
Japanese and Japanese American arts and culture to diverse audiences, and to provide a center to enhance community
programs. The JACCC is the preeminent presenter of Japanese and Japanese American, and Asian American performing
and visual arts nationally.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Throughout Little Tokyo, utility boxes are placed at various intersections and serve as traffic control signal cabinets. Last
year, Councilmember José Huizar worked with Los Angeles Department of Transportation to streamline the approval
process for art installations on the cabinets (CD14 José Huizar). The JACCC will lead this project in partnership with CD14
on the 10 utility boxes in Little Tokyo.
As an artist and community stakeholder, we want your help to envision and create designs for the utility boxes that will
advance the goal of sustainable neighborhood revitalization and cultural preservation. The Utility Box Public Art Project
will support Sustainable Little Tokyo’s efforts to preserve the neighborhood’s unique cultural heritage. We envision
these boxes will highlight the multi-ethnic, multi-generational and historical assets of this resilient 130-year old
neighborhood. A common design will be created for two of the four sides of the boxes and we will commission 10
artists to design the other two sides of each box.
SUBMISSIONS (DEADLINE: DECEMBER 1, 2014, EMAIL TO [email protected])
We encourage artists with a historical or cultural connection with Little Tokyo to apply.
Submissions should include the following:
1. Completed Application (Artist Information & Artwork Description)
2. Your design in full color
3. A brief description of your connection as an artist to Little Tokyo
4. Artist Resume
For questions, please email [email protected].
This project is supported in part by Citi Foundation, Low Income Investment Fund, and LISC.
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Little Tokyo Utility Box Public Art Project
Sustainable Little Tokyo
UTILITY BOX PUBLIC ART PROJECT
DESIGN TEMPLATE
COMMON DESIGN THAT WILL BE
USED FOR ALL TEN BOXES
COMMON DESIGN THAT WILL BE
USED FOR ALL TEN BOXES
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Little Tokyo Utility Box Public Art Project
Sustainable Little Tokyo
ARTIST APPLICATION
DEADLINE: DECEMBER 1, 2014, EMAIL TO [email protected]
ARTIST INFORMATION
Name: Click here to enter text.
Address: Click here to enter text.
City: Click here to enter text.
State: Click here to enter text.
ZIP Code: Click here to enter text.
Phone: Click here to enter text.
Website URL: Click here to enter text.
I would like to request a specific box location:
N/E corner of 1st & Central
N/W corner of 2nd & Central
S/E corner of 3rd & Los Angeles
S/W corner of 3rd & Central
S/W corner of 3rd & San Pedro
No location preference
N/E corner of Temple & Los Angeles
N/E corner of Temple & Aiso/San Pedro
S/W corner of Temple & Alameda
N/E corner of 1st & Los Angeles
S/E corner of 1st & Aiso/San Pedro
Do you have prior public art experience?
Yes
No
*Please attach a brief description (one to two paragraphs) of your background/history as an artist and your connection
to Little Tokyo
ARTWORK DESCRIPTION
Title of Submission:
Click here to enter text.
Design Description:
Click here to enter text.
Artist’s approach to the project—What is your vision and intent? How does the artistic rendering(s) represent Little
Tokyo?
Click here to enter text.
Artist’s philosophy on public art—Why is public art important to you?
Click here to enter text.
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