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Cultural Affairs Office
Traffic Signal Control Cabinet (TSCC) Murals
The Traffic Signal Control Cabinet (TSCC) Art Program is an initiative to bring public art to more neighborhoods in the City of Houston. The program is overseen by the City of Houston Department of Public Works and Engineering (PWE) and the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs (MOCA).
If you are interested in this, or any other mural/public art projects, please contact the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs.
Scroll to the right along the thumbnails below to see all the photos in the gallery.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How did the TSCC Art Program come about?
Staff of the City’s Department of Public Works and Engineering were aware of similar programs in other cities used as cost effective strategies to curb graffiti and deliver art to neighborhoods. UP Art Studio was also interested in this type of program and worked with the City on a pilot project.
When did the TSCC Art Program start?
The first TSCC Art Project was installed at the intersection of Spring and Sawyer on April 15, 2015 and was sponsored by the Washington Avenue Arts District. Beginning in May of 2015 several TSCC Art Projects were installed throughout District K in a pilot project sponsored by Council Member Larry Green.
What are “Mini Murals”?
“Mini Murals” are TSCC artworks completed through UP Art Studio. All Mini Murals in the City of Houston are part of the TSCC program, but not all TSCC art projects are Mini Murals. Mini Murals completed outside of the City of Houston jurisdiction are also not part of the TSCC program.
How is the TSCC Art Program funded?
Presently, sponsors pay for TSCC artworks. Sponsors have included Houston City Council Member offices, management districts, nonprofit organizations, businesses and grant making organizations.
How are TSCC Art Program locations selected?
The sponsor identifies a preferred location(s) and the Department of Public Works & Engineering verifies whether the location is available for consideration.
How are the TSCC Art Program artworks determined?
The sponsor works with an artist through a managing entity like UP Art Studio and submits a rendering to the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs and the Department of Public Works & Engineering for approval.
What is the point of contact for the TSCC Art Program?
The TSCC Art Program is a collaborative program with the sponsors, the managing entity and various City bodies like: Department of Public Works & Engineering, Houston Police Department, Finance Department, Legal Department, Communications Office and City Council Offices. The Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs is the point of contact for the program and coordinates with all entities and City Council Offices about murals scheduled for the Council District(s).
How can I undertake a TSCC artwork?
Contact the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs Cultural.Affairs@houstontx.gov to find out how you can participate in the program. Requirements for TSCC art projects include, but are not limited to:
- Securing a funding commitment from a sponsor
- Determining traffic signal control cabinet availability for art mural with the Department of Public Works and Engineering
- Submitting artistic renderings for approval by the Department of Public Works and Engineering and the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs
- Coordinating the installation of mural on cabinet with the Signal Maintenance Public Works Manager
- Maintaining the artistic integrity of the box and remedy any damages within 10 business days of notification
- Maintaining insurance coverage of professional liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence
- Wearing of safety vests during the installation process
How can I find out more about TSCC artworks in Houston?
To date, most of the TSCC projects have been Mini Murals and can be found on the Mini Mural website, www.minimurals.org.
How can I find out if my neighborhood qualifies for the TSCC Art Program?
Currently, every neighborhood in the City of Houston is eligible for the program.
To find out if your neighborhood is in the City of Houston: https://www.houstontx.gov/council/whoismycm.html
Is the TSCC Art Program graffiti?
No. The TSCC Art Program is a sanctioned, legal activity. Graffiti generally refers to unsanctioned, illegal activity. Public murals are very rarely unsanctioned these days. The Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs coordinates with the Houston Police Department to ensure that staff and patrol officers are aware of sanctioned public art activity.
How can I find out more about effective solutions to curb graffiti from my neighborhood?
For more information about effective solutions to curb graffiti please see the below link. The website below discusses vandalism and graffiti and highlights on how mural programs work as a cost effective and proactive graffiti abatement tool.
How can I bring the TSCC Art Program to my neighborhood?
Contact the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs to discuss the project or any other mural/public art projects.
Cultural.Affairs@houstontx.gov