York City Planters Call for Art
As part of our recent YoCo Public Art toolkit development, the Cultural Alliance and Downtown Inc. heard from many residents, downtown businesses, and focus group participants that they wanted to create an opportunity to beautify the 16 new blank concrete planters that were installed along the Market Street corridor in 2025. In coordination with the City of York Public Works, the Cultural Alliance is providing funding to run a test of how temporary outdoor vinyl installations featuring the work of local artists could be used as a cost-effective way to beautify the planters, highlight York’s art community, and build public pride.
Artists will each be assigned a planter, so 16 artists will be chosen. Each chosen artist can submit 1, 2, or 4 unique images; one that will appear on all four sides (1), two unique images per two sides (2), or a unique image per side (4). Artist will be paid $150 to reproduce their image(s). There will be one $150 honorarium, no matter how many images are submitted for reproduction. Each image will be printed 24″ H by 36″ W -please make sure your submitted work matches these dimensions.
Artists are asked to submit images featuring one or more of the following themes that are specific to York county: Agriculture, Arts & Culture, Diversity, Education, Environment, History/Preservation, and Nature.
Click Here to Apply
WHERE
The planters are located along Market Street at the intersections of Pershing, Beaver, George, and Duke Streets in downtown York.
ARTIST DEADLINES
The Cultural Alliance of York County will accept artist applications until June 26, 2026 at 5pm via this online submission form at www.culturalyork.org
ELIGIBILITY
The Public Art Planter Call for Art is open to ALL York County based artists and groups from the acclaimed to the amateur. Painters, sculptors, craftsmen, multi-media artists, and other wildly creative people are all encouraged to apply. Each commissioned planter will receive one honorarium regardless of group size or number of images featured
TIMELINE
The Cultural Alliance, Downtown Inc. and the City of York will review all submitted artwork and choose 16 artists to feature on the planters. Chosen artists will be contacted for high resolution images 24″H x 36″ W with a black border and honorarium payment.
INSTALLATION OF ARTWORK
Artists will not be responsible for the installation of vinyl artwork onto the planters.
DESIGN GUIDELINES
Artists should bear in mind that the audience will be broad-based and of all ages, and designs should be appropriate for public display. Designs that are religious, political, or sexual in nature will not be accepted. As outlined below, designs will be evaluated to ensure they conform to these guidelines.
The Cultural Alliance may reject any design that, in its sole discretion, does not adhere to these guidelines.
