New York City Department of Sanitation launches second collection truck painting program

The opportunity to paint a New York City collection truck has returned. The "Trucks of Art" project is hosted by the New York City Department of Sanitation and allows artists the opportunity to paint a collection truck.

"Trucks of Art" is open to all artists: professional, amateur, and aspiring. Priority will be given to proposals that encourage New Yorkers to use litter baskets and recycling or those that honour DSNY's essential workers. To promote sustainability, artists are challenged with using paints that would otherwise be discarded or recycled.

"Sanitation's fleet is part of our cityscape – and we're thrilled for New York City artists to transform collection trucks into roving works of art that will add a bit of flair to our neighbourhoods," says Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch. "We're excited for local artists to be using our ‘canvasses' to encourage New Yorkers to keep our city clean."

Those interested in applying should email a brief description of their idea with design mock-ups and why they'd like to be selected. Contact information and more details surrounding the "Trucks of Art" project can be found here.

All submissions must be emailed by September 18, 2022, at 11:59 pm. The department will choose finalists and provide paint. The department will provide access to the trucks for painting in late September and early October.

Non-artistic New Yorkers can also be involved. The department is asking residents to support this initiative by dropping off their unwanted paints (cans, sprays, tubes) at an upcoming SAFE disposal event or at the department's special waste drop-off locations. Artists will select the paints they'll need, and the rest will be recycled or properly disposed of.

This is the department's second Trucks of Art program. The first of which was in 2019.