Call to Artists! Contest to Design a Wrap for Cincinnati Bell Connector Streetcar Local Artist Design to be Showcased in Traveling Arts Exhibit with Grant from ArtsWave
CINCINNATI – Calling all artists! The City of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Bell and ArtsWave invites artists to submit applications to design original artwork that will be used to wrap the exterior of a Cincinnati Bell Connector streetcar.
The winning design, which will be voted on in January, will highlight how the arts connects our region. The chosen artist will receive a $2,500 grant from ArtsWave.
“As the arts connect us, so does the Cincinnati Bell Connector,” said Travis Jeric, the city’s Streetcar Director. “We’re excited to see the creativity of our local artists and how they reflect the theme.”
The streetcar travels a 3.6-mile route between Over-the-Rhine, Downtown and The Banks. Cincinnati Bell bought naming rights to the streetcar system at the time it began passenger service in September 2016. The new design and wrap are included as part of Cincinnati Bell’s sponsorship at no cost to the city.
The design contest complements the new arts-theme design that was unveiled on the streetcar’s five-year anniversary. The first streetcar to don a new wrap is specific to Music Hall and reinforces ArtsWave, the nation’s largest united arts fund that supports more than 150 local projects and cultural groups.
“We continue to enjoy this creative exercise, which is transforming the look of the streetcar vehicle by vehicle,” said Leigh Fox, President and CEO of Cincinnati Bell, Vice Chair of ArtsWave and a former chair of the annual ArtsWave fundraising campaign. “We love the new look. The arts theme is a natural choice in Cincinnati where the arts play such an important role in driving the overall vibrancy of our community.”
Online submissions for the design contest are being accepted from regional artists through Jan. 9, 2022. The winner will be announced publicly at Music Hall during ArtsWave’s annual fundraising campaign kickoff Feb. 2, 2022.
Visit artswave.org/streetcar to apply. The site includes downloadable streetcar design templates with dimensions and a detailed contest timeline.
The public will vote on the top three designs and an evaluation committee will select the winner in mid-January.
“This is an awesome opportunity for our local artists that have been hit harder than almost anyone from the pandemic,” said Alecia Kintner, President and CEO of ArtsWave. “Not only will the winner be awarded a $2,500 grant, they will enjoy unparalleled exposure as their original design wraps the exterior of the streetcar and their own artwork enlivens the inside in celebration of the 2022 ArtsWave Campaign.”
About the Cincinnati Bell Connector
The Cincinnati Bell Connector is free to ride every day. The streetcar’s operating hours are:
Monday: Friday: 7:30 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
Saturday: 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
Sunday: 9:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Learn more about the Cincinnati Bell Connector at cincinnatibellconnector.com.