Request for Qualifications
Artistic Bus (W)RAP 2026
It’s a remix on our annual call! We’re seeking Triangle-based artists who love music and can translate rhythm, lyricism, and flow into bold visual artwork for the exterior of a Chapel Hill Transit bus.
Blurring the lines between music and visual design, this artistic bus (w)rap connects to Talk of the Town, a community mixtape in progress by Chapel Hill Poet Laureate Donovan Livingston.
Once installed, the new bus wrap may become the visual counterpart to musical programming on the bus, known as “bus raps.” These may include live, onboard performances, across multiple genres, where local musicians and poets share their talents with commuters.
The commissioned bus wrap design should:
- Display the overlap between music and visual art
- Incorporate lyrics from the mixtape
- Generate excitement about the mixtape and onboard performances
Selected finalists will receive a stipend, access to the official Chapel Hill mixtape lyrics, and the chance to collaborate with Donovan during a creative session prior to submitting their proposals.
One artist or team will be chosen to bring their proposal vision to life. The selected artist/team will hear stakeholder input and create a final design to be fabricated as adhesive vinyl and wrapped around a Chapel Hill Transit bus by a contractor. The installed artwork will be displayed on the bus for approximately two years.
FINALIST STIPENDS: $400/artist or team
PROJECT STIPEND: $2,500 for the selected artist or team
ELIGIBILITY: Applicants must be 18+, live within 40 miles of Chapel Hill, and submit application materials using the directions below. The selected artist must be able to deliver final designs as .AI or .EPS files per required specifications and using installer’s template.
DEADLINE: 5pm on Tuesday, March 24, 2026
This project is part of Art + Transit, bringing life to the daily commute. Community Arts & Culture aims to inspire creativity and celebrate community for a better Chapel Hill. We value inclusion, experience, and understanding, and encourage proposals that reflect these values.
