RTD hosting Bus Design Contest to commemorate 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act

DENVER (April 26, 2024) –– The Regional Transportation District (RTD)is calling upon individuals to submit vibrant, one-of-a-kind entries for a Bus Design Contest, with the application process starting today. RTD’s solicitation for bus design artwork is part of the agency’s celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act and other achievements to bring about equity, accessibility and fairness.

More information about the art contest, including design specifications, is available on the RTD 60th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act contest page.

Artists must submit applications and bus artwork design proposals by the close of business on Friday, May 24. The winning design will be selected in early June and wrapped around an RTD bus. The wrapped bus will be part of RTD’s regular fixed-route services in the Denver metro area through 2024.

“I believe that public transportation is the great societal equalizer, and the delivery of transit services is inherently linked to social justice movements and the Civil Rights Act of 1964,” said Debra A. Johnson, RTD’s General Manager and CEO. “Both speak to the need for diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, principles that are integral to American society. Dignity and respect are not always afforded to all, even after six decades of the passage of this monumental legislation. As a Black woman leading a major transit agency, it is incumbent upon me to ensure all people know that RTD is welcoming for its employees, customers and partners. This project provides artists with a rich opportunity to bring forth ideas that illustrate these principles and constitutional rights for public reflection and enjoyment.”

RTD is sponsoring the bus design contest in collaboration with Denver NAACP, ACLU Colorado, One Colorado, Colorado Asian Pacific United, Servicios de La Raza, Atlantis Community, Inc., along with other community partners.

An evaluation panel comprising RTD staff and community partners will review artist applications and bus art design imagery. The winning artist whose design is selected will be notified on June 3. The finalist will receive $3,500 for the bus art design.

Artists are encouraged to submit bus art with the following design goals in mind:

• CELEBRATE the history of Civil Rights Act of 1964, in addition to other countless federal and state laws that protect our civil, political and legal rights
• RECOGNIZE the individuals, groups or major events in Colorado and nationally that championed equity, equality and accessibility
• CREATE a vibrant and lively design, celebrating our diverse community
• INSPIRE action by increasing visibility and engaging the community

Artists may also draw inspiration from a celebration of social and cultural similarities and differences, including RTD’s Civil Rights Mixtape, sponsored by Warm Cookies of the Revolution and Community Organizing for Radical Empathy.

A project timeline for the design contest is outlined below.

• May 24 – Artist applications and submission deadline
• June 2 – Evaluation panel completes art design review process
• June 3 – Artist and bus wrap design selected
• June 14 – Finalization of wrap design
• Summer 2024 – Bus design wrap reveal

RTD and its valued partners look forward to seeing the applications and design submissions from the community.

For more information, please contact RTD Civil Rights Division Director Carl Green Jr.