Art Boards:
Guidelines & Penalties
Welcome to the Swanton Art Boards!
The art boards located in Village-owned public spaces are independently administered by the Swanton Public Art Network (SPAN), a collective of local artists and art aficionados dedicated to promoting public art exhibits that showcase the talents of local artists, aesthetically enhance the community, and celebrate Swanton’s diversity and identity artistic sharing for the benefit of our community. The Network is fortified by its support and connections to artists and funding opportunities.
Art Board Guidelines & Penalties
If you're an artist or someone interested in using Swanton's public art boards, explore this area of the site to learn more about the Program's guidelines and potential penalties. All contributing artists and art board users must observe the guidelines when painting the art boards, whether to add an artistic image or to reset (paint over) an art board.
For more program details, refer to site pages:
Guidelines: Select link to Appendix C for simplified guidelines specific to artists and board users, or if desired, select link to Exhibit A for the complete art board guidelines. Select guidelines are highlighted below!
Appendix C - Guidelines For Artists.pdfExhibit A - Art Board Guidelines.pdfUse art boards on public property only. Users of private property boards must defer to property owners.
The SPAN encourages art boards located on private property that are installed in accordance with local standards and permitting requirements; however, they are solely administered by private property owners and do not fall under the purview of the Network or these guidelines. Interest and concerns about these art boards should be addressed to private property owners.
Observe specific limitations for content and use.
Artists must observe certain conditions and limitations:
a. Use of the art boards is voluntary and not compensated.
b. Users are responsible for necessary supplies. The Swanton Arts Council accepts requests for donating materials and/or financial support for expenses to be considered on a case-by-case basis.
c. Users are limited to a single use of one side of any art board in a 6-week period to provide opportunity to all participating artists and a variety of content.
d. Work may NOT include moving parts, illumination, electricity, or present other hazards that impairs the public’s ability to safely enjoy the art.
e. Images may NOT include any words/letters, advertisement or otherwise be in violation of State billboard regulations.
f. Images should be “family-friendly” or suitable for audiences of all ages; that serves to beautify the public space; and helps reflect the cultural vibrancy and diversity of the area.
Date their work and respect the two-week exhibition allowance period for art board content.
Artistic work in compliance with the guidelines enjoy a minimum two-week exhibition allowance period. Users must clearly date their work in the bottom corner to indicate the start of the minimum two-week exhibition period. Any work not dated may be prematurely reset. Artists are invited but not required to also sign their work.
a. The board must be dated in the bottom corner as of the first date the artist started using the board, regardless if the content is completed in one day or over multiple days, or if the content is completed onsite or the board is removed for the artist to complete their work remotely.
b. Once the two-week exhibition period is complete, the art board becomes open to reset or otherwise paint over on a first come, first serve basis.
c. If there is a dated painting on the board, a user must not reset (paint over) or alter it in any way until a minimum of 14 calendar days have passed from the date.
NOT remove art boards to complete or keep work without explicit permission.
Artists may NOT remove the boards without explicit request and permission, whether to complete their work or keep their completed work after exhibited. SPAN’s detailed guidelines outline the process and conditions that must be observed if permission is granted.
Penalties: Select the link to Appendix B for an outline of potential violations and penalties. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of penalties. SPAN administrators are solely responsible for addressing complaints and determining penalties or course of action.
Appendix B - Potential Violations and Penalties.pdf