Route 66 Traffic Control Box Art Project – Call to Artists

Request for Proposal
26-915
Professional Services for: Route 66 Traffic Control Box Art
Project - Call to Artists
Department: Office of Public Art & Community and The Tulsa
Planning Office
Commodity Code: 961-04
RFP Schedule
EVENT DATE
RFP Issue Date 06/2/2026
Pre-Proposal Conference June 8, 2026, 2:00-3:00 PM
Virtual - email buyer for invite to Zoom/Teams link June 16, 2026, 9:30-10:30 AM
Deadline for Questions 06/18/2026
Submit questions to assigned buyer via email. 10 Days prior to RFP due date
Proposal Due Date 07/01/2026
Mail or deliver to City Clerk address. Proposals open the day after the due date.
If You have any questions or need additional information, contact the Assigned Buyer:
Donny Tiemann | dtiemann@cityoftulsa.org
All questions should be emailed with RFP 26- 915 in the subject line.
Submit proposals (sealed) to:
Office of the City Clerk
City of Tulsa
175 E. 2ND St., Suite 260
Tulsa, OK 74103
Call to Artists
RFP 26-915 Route 66 Traffic Control Box Art Project | Page 1
2915 Route 66 Traffic Control Box Art Project

OVERVIEW AND GOALS
The City of Tulsa is accepting submissions from professional or emerging artists or teams of artists in
response to a public art opportunity relating to the City's traffic control boxes located along the Route 66
corridor in Tulsa. Submissions will be capped at 160 total.
This call seeks to identify artists or teams of artists capable of designing an original work of art using the
provided digital template that will be installed on a traffic control box located on Tulsa's Route 66 corridor.
There is a total of 34 traffic control boxes. Artists may submit one design or up to four. The digital artwork will
serve as an artistic photo-op, beautify Tulsa's Route 66 corridor, and curb graffiti on the boxes. See overview
below.
Approximate Locations of Traffic Control Boxes
Figure 1: Map of Traffic Control Box Locations
Route 66 is also known as 11th Street, Southwest Boulevard, and Admiral Place. The map above indicates
the 34 locations of the traffic control boxes. View the digital map of locations online:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1CtBmZl_F2ZTvHmlm3FUfbyxx6XfrwDA&usp=sharing.
Route 66 Corridor in Tulsa - 34 traffic control boxes along 11th Street, Southwest Boulevard, and Admiral Place
ARTISTIC GOAL
Welcome Route 66 travelers to Tulsa by beautifying the entire corridor, providing another visual cue that
travelers are on the Mother Road, and adding to Route 66's varied public art. This project also seeks to
eliminate graffiti on traffic control boxes.
While Route 66 iconography, fonts, and artistic elements are encouraged; the artwork is not limited to
classic or vintage-inspired Route 66 designs. Artists should feel invited to be creative and submit artwork
that is also interpretive, modern, or abstract. Similarly, artwork can contribute to Route 66 storytelling, but
storytelling is not a requirement.
All designs will be unified by a Capital of Route 66 graphic and QR code linking to a Route 66 Art StoryMaps
with more information about the artworks and artists. This StoryMaps will serve as a digital self-guided tour
of all the art along Tulsa's Route 66 corridor, including the 34 wrapped traffic control boxes.
Call to Artists
RFP 26-915 Route 66 Traffic Control Box Art Project | Page 2
2915 Route 66 Traffic Control Box Art Project

BACKGROUND
THE CITY OF TULSA - CAPITAL OF ROUTE 66
Tulsa is known as the capital of Route 66. Our city boasts more than 28 miles of active and original alignments
of the road and spans 8+ commercial districts. Throughout each district, Route 66 is a vibrant, hyperlocal
destination where you can find unique dining, shopping, services, lodging, entertainment, and attractions
surrounded by historic neighborhoods with lots of charm. Peppered throughout the corridor is public art, new
and vintage neon signs, historic markers, and landmarks that celebrate our rich Route 66 history.
That story begins with Cyrus Avery. Avery, an adopted son of Tulsa, is known as the Father of Route 66. His
full-throated support of the Good Roads Movement in the early 20th century placed him among a select group
of people responsible for designing the Federal Highway System. Because of his influence and support, the
future Main Street of America came through Oklahoma and the city of Tulsa. Today, that same spirit of courage,
innovation, and entrepreneurship thrives.
TIMELINE
The schedule below provides estimated dates for the RFP and contracting process. The City of Tulsa
may adjust this schedule as needed.
EVENT DATE
RFP Issue Date 06/2/2026
Pre-Proposal Conference (TEAMS) June 8th & June 16th
Deadline for Questions 06/18/2026
PROPOSAL DUE DATE 07/01/2026
RFP Opening Date 07/02/2026
Review and Evaluation 07/06/2026 - 07/10/26
Tulsa Arts Commission Review 07/13/2026
Award Recommendations Approved 07/16/2026
Execute contracts (anticipated) July / August
Design Revisions July / August (If Needed)
Fabrication / Installation August / September
Opening TBD
Call to Artists
RFP 26-915 Route 66 Traffic Control Box Art Project | Page 3
2915 Route 66 Traffic Control Box Art Project

PHASE 1 - CALL TO ARTISTS
1. Call to Artists Issued: The City of Tulsa's Office of Public Art & Community Partnerships and
the Tulsa Route 66 Commission is issuing this Call to Artists. The Independent Review
Committee will review submissions and administer the artist selection process.
2. Informational Conference (TEAMS) Call: Register via sending an email request for the intended date
to the point of contact at least one day before the meeting. One attendance strongly encouraged
as conference calls are the artist's opportunity to ask questions and receive clarification.
a. Conference (TEAMS) Call 1 June 8, 2026 - 2:00 pm -3:00 pm
b. Conference (TEAMS) Call 2 June 16, 2026 - 9:30 am -10:30 am
3. Deadline: Submissions received after 5 PM CDT Wednesday, July 1, 2026, will not be
accepted. All submitted materials will be reviewed by the Steering Committee.
PHASE 2 - REVIEW
1. Evaluation/Scoring: The Steering Committee will evaluate all submissions and will select several
artists' designs for the 34 traffic control boxes. An individual artist or artist team may have more than
one design selected, but not more than four.
2. Recommendation: The Steering Committee will formally recommend artists to the Arts
Commission and Route 66 Commission, which advises the Mayor of the City of Tulsa on
final approval. Award Recommendation Approval will take place on Thursday, July 16, 2026.
PHASE 3 - IMPLEMENTATION
1. Contract Issue Period: Contracts will be issued to all selected artists. Once the final digital design file
is received, then the artists fees will be paid.
2. If needed, the selected artists will be expected to work with stakeholders to make any revisions to
artwork requested by City staff or the Tulsa Arts Commission into the final digital design. Any revisions
requested would be minimal. If needed, the selected artists may also need to coordinate with City
staff on edits to their StoryMaps description to ensure accuracy. Any revisions would be implemented
before issuing payment.
3. Fabrication: Fabrication and installation will be handled by the City of Tulsa. This is anticipated for
August/September of 2026, depending on the weather.
4. Opening: Once all vinyl art wraps are installed, the City of Tulsa will host an opening event and invite all
artists to attend.
Call to Artists
RFP 26-915 Route 66 Traffic Control Box Art Project | Page 4
2915 Route 66 Traffic Control Box Art Project

SCOPE OF WORK / DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
The selected artists/teams will be responsible for designing digital art that:
1. Serves as a 360 degree "photo-op" art piece wrapping a City of Tulsa traffic control box.
2. Includes a descriptive title and 5-10 sentence description of the artwork to be used in a Route 66 Art
StoryMaps.
3. Design to include "Capital of Route 66" Art StoryMaps graphic with QR code on it (in a bottom corner of one
side of the design).
4. Design files must be 300 dpi or more. Accepted file types are .pdf, .ai, and .psd.
5. Adheres to Public Works' policy for wrapping traffic control boxes. No messaging or advertisements are
allowed.
BUDGET
The artists fee, paid to the artist upon receipt of digital artwork files, will be $500 per design selected. The
selected artists will be paid artists fees, and the City of Tulsa will handle the purchase of materials, artwork
fabrication, site preparation, installation of work, and other miscellaneous fees.
SCORING CRITERIA
Your submission(s) will be judged based upon the creativity and thoughtfulness of the overall design by an
independent review committee. The committee will use a rubric scoring artistic merit & visual impact,
historical & cultural context, narrative richness & representation, high school student participation, place-
based insight into the corridor, and technical feasibility. A full rubric is included at the end of this RFP.
Artists whose studios are located on Route 66 and students who attend school on Route 66 are strongly
encouraged to apply (E.g. University of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College, East Central High School, Lindbergh
Elementary, Tulsa Street School, Will Rogers High School, Mayo Demonstration School, Bell Elementary,
Tulsa Girls Art School, and Daniel Webster High School).
Call to Artists
RFP 26-915 Route 66 Traffic Control Box Art Project | Page 5
2915 Route 66 Traffic Control Box Art Project

HOW TO APPLY
INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMITTING A PROPOSAL:
A. Proposals must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, Central
Daylight Time. Please place proposals in a sealed envelope or box clearly labeled
"RFP 26-15, Route 66 Traffic Control Box Art Project - Call to Artists".
Proposals received late will be returned unopened.
B. Interested Respondents should submit:
One (1) unbound original and (1) digital copy (USB drive). Note: The unbound
original is a printed copy of the digital artwork and NOT the original artwork
itself.
C. Proposals shall be delivered and sealed to:
Deputy City Clerk
City of Tulsa
175 E. 2nd St.
Suite 260
Tulsa, OK 74103
D. All interested Respondents (Sellers) are required to register with the Buyer
in order to receive updates, addenda or any additional information required.
You can learn more about the registration process on the following website:
https://www.cityoftulsa.org/government/departments/finance/selling-to-the-city/register-as-a-
vendor/.
The City is not responsible for any failure to register.
E. Inquiries or questions to the Buyer requesting clarification regarding the Request
for Proposal must be made via e-mail and must be received prior to the end of
the business day on Friday, June 18, 2026.
Donny Tiemann, Project Buyer
dtiemann@cityoftulsa.org
Any questions regarding this RFP will be handled as promptly and as directly as
possible. If a question requires only minor clarification of instructions or specifications,
it will be handled via e-mail. If any question results in a substantive change or addition
to the RFP, the change or addition will be forwarded to all registered Respondents as
quickly as possible by addendum.
F. Proposals will be opened on the morning after the due date, at 8:30am, at the:
Standards, Specifications, and Awards Committee Meeting
175 East 2nd Street, 2nd Floor
City Council Chamber
G. The project is open to all professional and emerging artists, designers, or firms, regardless of
residence, race, color, religion, national origin, gender, military status, sexual orientation, marital
status, or physical or mental ability. Artist teams are eligible to apply, including teams of artists
from multiple disciplines
Call to Artists
RFP 26-915 Route 66 Traffic Control Box Art Project | Page 6
2915 Route 66 Traffic Control Box Art Project

SUBMISSION COMPONENTS
The following questions make up the Submittable(TM) form for this Call To Artists:
YOUR INFORMATION & EXPERIENCE
CONTACT INFORMATION Name, phone, email, mailing address, etc. Not evaluated.
1. If your studio or maker space is located on Route 66, please enter the address below.
2. If your school, college, or university is located on Route 66, please enter the name of your school below.
3. Do you have a personal connection to Route 66?
YOUR CREATIVITY
ARTWORK(S) .pdf, .ai, or .psd file. Save a digital file of your design for a traffic control box to a thumb drive.
File must be 300 dpi or more. (You can submit up to four different designs.)
TITLE OF ARTWORK Tell us the title of your artwork. If it has no title, please type in "Untitled" below. This
title will be used in the public-facing Route 66 Art StoryMaps.
(Do not exceed 50 words.)
DESCRIPTION OF ARTWORK Explain your design, including any iconography, color choices, history, or
themes you explore. Share your inspiration for the work, why do you feel it represents Tulsa's stretch of Route
66, or what Route 66 means to you. This will be used in the public-facing Route 66 Art StoryMaps.
(Do not exceed 250 words.)
ARTIST(S) BIO Tell us about yourself. Provide artist bio. This will be used in the public-facing Route 66 Art
StoryMaps. (Do not exceed 250 words.)
Call to Artists
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2915 Route 66 Traffic Control Box Art Project

Call to Artists
RFP 26-915 Route 66 Traffic Control Box Art Project | Page 8
2915 Route 66 Traffic Control Box Art Project

Artist Submission Form
Call to Artists
RFP 26-915 Route 66 Traffic Control Box Art Project | Page 9
2915 Route 66 Traffic Control Box Art Project

Artist Submission Form
Call to Artists
RFP 26-915 Route 66 Traffic Control Box Art Project | Page 10
2915 Route 66 Traffic Control Box Art Project