---
title: Utility Cabinet Art Contest
description: "Denver public art contest: original 2D artwork wrapped on a Metro Water Recovery utility cabinet. Colorado artists 16+, no entry fee, $500 to the winner."
url: https://www.artsume.com/programs/c19815bc-b260-4aa4-afde-39861747d062
type: program
status: closed
createdAt: "2026-09-06"
updatedAt: "2026-09-14"
programType: Public art
organization: Metro Water Recovery
organizationUrl: https://www.artsume.com/o/metro-water-recovery
deadline: "2026-09-13"
location: National Western Center and CSU Spur campus, Denver, CO, United States
isOnline: false
compensationRange: $500 to the contest winner
disciplines:
  - painting
  - drawing
  - illustration
  - digital art
  - mural
---

# Utility Cabinet Art Contest

**Hosted by:** Metro Water Recovery

**Type:** Public art | **Location:** National Western Center and CSU Spur campus, Denver, CO, United States | **Deadline:** September 13, 2026

## About This Program

> "Metro's mission to protect the region's health and environment by cleaning water and recovering resources; the character of the Globeville and Elyria-Swansea communities"

Metro Water Recovery (Metro) is seeking artwork to display on a vinyl wrap for a utility cabinet in Denver at the National Western Center and CSU Spur campus. Utility cabinets can degrade over time due to weather, wear and tear, and vandalism. Vinyl wraps can protect cabinets and reduce graffiti. Help us beautify Metro property and reduce the maintenance needed to keep our cabinets in tip-top shape by participating in our art contest!

Your artwork can showcase your community's character and Metro's environmental stewardship. Original 2D artwork can be submitted through September 13, 2026, by Colorado artists ages 16+.

Submissions will be reviewed, finalists will be selected, and community members will have the opportunity to vote for a winner. The winner will receive $500. Once the final design is selected, Metro will coordinate the final piece with the vinyl wrap vendor. 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, which will minimize negative space. About the cabinet — Location: Near 48th and Bettie Cram Dr. at the National Western Center and CSU Spur campus.

Size: 6' wide by 6' tall by 3' deep. Artwork will be displayed on the front, back, sides and top of the cabinet (note: please anticipate minor changes to your art to accommodate the wrapping process).

## Eligibility & Requirements

- **Geographic Eligibility:** Regional
- **Disciplines:** painting, drawing, illustration, digital art, mural
- **Age Requirements:** 16+ years old
- **Note:** All Colorado artists ages 16+. For artists under 18, a parent/guardian must submit the artwork. Metro highly encourages participation from neighbors closest to the project location. Artists do not have to be professional — artists at all levels are welcome to submit. You can collaborate with a team to help develop the artwork.

Location Eligibility Type: Local. Eligible Applicant Types: Artist. Submission Limit: 1.

Submissions from those living in the Globeville, Elyria-Swansea neighborhoods will be given bonus points in the scoring process.

### Additional Requirements

Submit sketches, pictures, or images that portray the full-scale vision; the initial artwork submission does not necessarily have to be full size. Multiple submissions are welcome. Hand drawn or digital formats will be accepted. Digital artwork should be submitted as a .jpg file type. After the winning submission is determined, a vector file will be requested or developed in collaboration with the vendor, ideally designed at 100% scale at 72 dpi or better.

Stock photos or AI generated images will not be accepted. All submissions must be original work. There are no limits to the number of colors you can use. Please limit negative space in the design. Text may be included in your design, provided it is minimal and supports the theme. Media requirements: Images min 1, max 5.

## Compensation & Benefits

$500 to the contest winner

**Includes:** Prize

Budget: $500. The winner will receive $500. Once the final design is selected, Metro will coordinate the final piece with the vinyl wrap vendor.

## Timeline

- **Opens:** July 11, 2026
- **Deadline:** September 13, 2026

## Contact

**Email:** bwinters@metrowaterrecovery.com

**Phone:** 720-484-4864

## How to Apply

Apply at: https://artist.callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info.php?ID=17819