Skip to main content

Transformer Cabinet Murals#

Ren Burke mural in progress

BirdsEye mural in progress by Ren Burke, 2020.

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. Since the start of the program, 377 transformer cabinets have been transformed into works of art.

Slideshow of past murals

Image Gallery

Paint a Transformer Cabinet Mural, Deadline March 27#

Allie Ogg and her 2022 Transformer Cabinet Mural

Allie Ogg paints her Transformer Cabinet Mural in 2022.

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. Members of the neighborhood 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: March 27, 2023 by 5:00 p.m.

Apply Now!

Questions About Applying?#

If you are interested in painting a Transformer Cabinet Mural in 2023, come to our informational sessions to learn more about the process. Neither session is required in order to apply.

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.