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Art in Public Places – Celebrating Over 25 Years#

Apply to Paint a Transformer Cabinet Mural, Deadline April 29#

smiling woman paints a metal cabinet

Aerica Raven Van Dorn paints her 2023 Transformer Cabinet Mural

The City of Fort Collins Art in Public Places (APP) Program seeks to commission multiple artists/teams to work with the APP Project Team to develop concepts for murals to be painted on transformer cabinets located in Fort Collins, Colorado. The murals are intended to help mitigate graffiti, as well as create artful objects within the public sites. The APP Program will select artists/teams for multiple locations. Artists/teams will be selected based on their qualifications/application materials.

The Art in Public Places Program also seeks to commission multiple artists/teams to work with the APP Project Team on the Neighborhood Transformer Cabinet Mural Project. The artist/teams will engage members of a Fort Collins neighborhood selected by the Project Team to develop a visual concept for the mural to be painted on a transformer cabinet located the neighborhood. Neighborhood residents may also be invited to assist in painting the mural. Artists will receive $500 for community engagement work in addition to compensation for the mural. Artists who select the Neighborhood option will also be considered for a Transformer Cabinet Mural, but if selected, will be assigned only one or the other.

These projects are open to all artists/ teams that reside or have a current studio space within the Growth Management Area of Fort Collins, ColoradoDeadline: April 29, 2024 by 5:00 p.m.

Apply for the Transformer Cabinet Mural Project

Questions About Applying?#

If you are interested in painting a Transformer Cabinet Mural in 2024, come to our informational session to learn more about the process.

Virtual Presentation and Q&A
Watch the Recording

This session includes a presentation about the application and review process. Program staff answers questions at the end of the session.

Still Have Questions? Contact Libby Colbert at lcolbert@fcgov.com.

My Fort Collins Brings Art to Transfort#

bus stop kiosk with artwork and ad

The artwork of Allison Ramirez, located at Harmony & Starflower on Route 19.

The intent of this project is to share artists’ unique Fort Collins story with the community.

Keep an eye out for artwork Transfort bus shelters and on buses.

Learn More

New Storm Drain Mural Project#

Design by Jessica Crouch

Jessica Crouch's design is shown here. Her mural is located on the west side of Ziegler Road, across from Twin Silo Park.

A partnership with the Stormwater Utility to paint temporary murals on storm drains located throughout the City. The intent of this project is to educate the public regarding the land/water connection to help maintain water quality in local streams and protect our local watershed.

Learn More About the Murals

Celebrating the 400th Transformer Cabinet Mural!#

Terry McNerney Mural Concept

Terry McNerney painting his mural at 3754 Landings Drive.

This year, local artist Terry McNerney has painted the Transformer Cabinet Mural program’s 400th mural. This is McNerney’s fifth cabinet mural to date and his design celebrates the Program’s milestone with whimsical characters in a colorful, birthday party atmosphere. 

Terry has painted the cabinet at 3754 Landings Drive. Please stop by to this amazing new mural!

Pianos About Town#

children play a painted piano

Pianos About Town is a collaborative effort between the Fort Collins Art in Public Places Program and community partners Bohemian Foundation and the Downtown Development Authority. This exciting project brings together visual art and music for the public to enjoy. For updates and to share your photos and videos of the pianos in action, please visit us on Facebook.

Help us care for the pianos! If you enjoy playing the pianos, help us protect them by closing the keyboard cover after each use and using the attached tarp to cover the piano in times of bad weather and overnight—Thank you!

Learn More

Transformer Cabinet Murals#

Larry Tucci painting a transformer cabinet

The Transformer Cabinet Mural Project was started in 2004 as a collaboration between the City of Fort Collins Art in Public Places Program and Utilities Light and Power. Serving as a graffiti abatement program, the murals help lower maintenance costs while adding bright colorful art in unexpected places. The program also helps keep the investment local by utilizing local artists and non-profit groups to paint the cabinets.

Learn More

Take a Public Art Tour!#