Call for Artists

Join us as we invite talented local artists to embark on an exciting journey with the Temple Art Train Project, hosted by Discover Downtown Temple team. We are seeking proposals from creative minds to adorn fiberglass train locomotives with captivating artwork. We encourage artists to unleash their imagination and share their unique graphic visions with us for a chance to participate in this program. Let your creativity soar as you leave a lasting mark on our community through the transformative power of art in our downtown area.

Background of the Art Train Project

Thanks to the generous Anice Read Grant from the Texas Downtown Association and the Communities Foundation of Texas, the City of Temple has successfully funded the Temple Art Train Project. This initiative showcases intricately decorated tiny replicas of old steam engines, adorned with art by local talents.

With the completion of eight art trains and ongoing interest from artists, the project continues to flourish. The Temple Art Train Project is not only enhancing downtown Temple by infusing public art into pedestrian-oriented spaces but also serving as a vibrant expression of our community's spirit and contributing to our city's cultural identity.

The overwhelming positive reception from the community underscores the significance of this endeavor. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the Texas Downtown Association, the Communities Foundation of Texas, and particularly the Anice Read Fund for their pivotal support, without which this project would not have been possible.

Program Guidelines

1. Compensation: The artist will generously contribute their time and talent to paint or decorate the art train without financial compensation. However, Discover Downtown Temple will cover the reasonable costs of paint and art supplies for this project, up to a total of three hundred dollars. Additionally, the unveiling of each art train will be celebrated with an event organized by Discover Downtown Temple, accompanied by a press release highlighting both the completed art train and the artist behind it. Historically, local media outlets have provided positive coverage of both the artwork and the artists, offering valuable exposure.

2. Subject and Selection. Artists desiring to participate are not limited to any theme for conceptual sketches. The primary goal is to have the approved design represent the City's community, culture, and identity. However, because all art trains are property of the City, all proposed designs and artists will be reviewed by a panel of City staff, and the staff review panel may approve or reject any proposed train art design or any artist either for cause or without cause. The City of Temple and Discover Downtown Temple will be under no obligation whatsoever to accept any proposal to participate in the Art Train Project. Any artist selected must complete the project using substantially the same design as the conceptual sketches on the art train. Any artist selected understands and agrees that no right is vested upon the artist at any time and that all rights to ownership of the art train and the decorations and paintings the artist makes to the art train are held by the City at all times.

3. Medium, Paint Sealant and Touch-up. All of the art trains completed thus-far have been decorated with paint. However, the artist may use another medium if the art medium selected is deemed by City staff designated to review the project as sufficiently durable.

If the artist uses paint, then they must select and use paint(s) for this project that is/are appropriate for outdoor use in Central Texas. Even so, it is natural that any outdoor paint application will be subject to some fading and vandalism. Accordingly, participating artists must agree to finish their art train painting project with a protective coat of UV protection sealant.

Also, for a period of three years after the art train is completed and placed at its display location, artists selected for participation in this project are required to occasionally touch-up their art trains to correct or repair any damage that might be caused by fading, vandalism or other unanticipated causes. This requirement is not intended to be open-ended or unreasonable. Accordingly, the artist will be required to spend no more than 6 [six] hours annually performing touch-up activities.

At all times, including, but not limited to, while the art train is in possession of the artist for painting or decorating and after the art train is returned to Discover Downtown Temple for placement, the art train shall be and remain the property of the City of Temple. All art trains, once painted or otherwise decorated, must be placed either on City-owned property or public right of way, unless this requirement is waived in writing by the City due to extenuating circumstances.