Work with us / Utility boxes
Utility box artwork programmes across Aotearoa New Zealand.
Commissioned artwork with an anti-graffiti coating turns a maintenance problem into a streetscape asset.
We find the New Zealand artist whose practice fits the neighbourhood and the infrastructure, commission them to design artwork at scale, and treat the anti-graffiti coating as an asset management decision rather than an afterthought. Programmes from ten boxes to hundreds.
What you get
An asset management decision and a streetscape improvement.
Artwork that belongs to the street
We find the artist whose practice fits the neighbourhood, the infrastructure and the brief. Not a generic pattern, not a logo. Artwork that looks like it was made for that corner.
Anti-graffiti coating as asset management
A sacrificial coating specified into every commission. Tagged boxes can be cleaned and recoated as part of routine maintenance. The coating is treated as infrastructure, not decoration.
Programmes from ten boxes to hundreds
We structure programmes at any scale, with phased delivery, artist fees set by panel size and consistent documentation across the network.
QR plates for condition reporting
Optional QR plates allow field staff or the public to log condition issues directly to your asset management system.
Optional print sales
For programmes where community engagement is a goal, limited-edition prints of each commissioned artwork can be made available, with proceeds back to the artist.
Documentation for reporting
Artist profiles, commission rationale and final artwork files, ready for community, consent, ESG or board reporting.
Common questions
What to expect.
How do you select artists for a utility box programme?
We find the artist who best fits the brief, the location and the character of the neighbourhood. For larger programmes, we may use multiple artists across different zones. The selection rationale is documented for your records.
Does the anti-graffiti coating work?
Yes. We specify a sacrificial coating that allows graffiti to be removed without damaging the artwork. Tagged boxes can be cleaned and recoated as part of routine asset maintenance.
Can you run a programme across a large network of boxes?
Yes. We have experience structuring programmes across networks of hundreds of boxes, with artist fees set by panel size, phased delivery and optional QR plates for condition reporting.
Who owns the artwork?
The commissioning organisation owns the right to display the artwork on the specified boxes for the agreed term. The artist retains copyright. Licensing for future surfaces or reproductions is agreed as part of the original commission.
What does it cost?
Artist fees are typically set by panel size, with a programme management fee on top. For a first conversation about scope and budget, get in touch.
Can we add print sales to a utility box programme?
Yes. For programmes where community engagement is a goal, we can set up limited-edition print sales for each commissioned artwork, with proceeds split between artist and a nominated community fund.
Get started
Tell us about the network.
How many boxes, where they are and what the programme needs to achieve. Blake replies within two business days.