Toledo is home to a growing number of digital billboards. These giant  computer screens are mounted high above the streets and allow advertisers to blast their message out to thousands of potential customers or patrons on a daily basis.  The content that runs on these screens typically loops on a regular schedule showing each ad for  approximately 8 seconds.

What would happen if some of the slides in the rotation on these  billboards were not intended to promote, advertise or advocate for a particular cause or product? What if some of the slides were designed  simply to enhance our City’s aesthetic and cultural identity?

The Arts Commission and Toledo Detroit Outdoor Media have partnered to utilize two local digital billboards, which are owned by Toledo Detroit Outdoor Media, to exhibit a series of artworks with the sole intent of beautifying the City of Toledo for 8 seconds at a time.

This project is designed to add to our city’s growing reputation as a center of creativity and culture, and to remind viewers that Toledo is a vibrant and enjoyable place to live and work.

2013 program - Call for Artists - Submission deadline has been extended to April 30.

The Arts Commission is seeking designs for phase 2 of the Toledo Digital Billboards Art Project. Selected artworks will be displayed temporarily on two digital billboards as part of the regular rotation of ads. The billboards are located at the corner of Monroe & Secor and the corner of Central & Secor.

The Arts Commission is seeking submissions of original artwork for this initiative. Any local artist or team of artists (see eligibility for details) working in any medium or discipline may submit up to 3 artworks for consideration for this project. All submissions MUST follow the submission guidelines included in the prospectus.

Click here to download the prospectus.

Click here to download a design specifications guide.

The competition is open to all artists working in the following counties; Allen, Defiance, Fulton, Hancock, Henry, Lucas, Ottawa, Paulding, Putnam, Sandusky, Seneca, Van Wert, Williams, Wood, and Wyandot counties in Ohio, and Lenawee and Monroe counties in Michigan, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, military status, sexual orientation, marital status, or physical or mental disability.

For further information about the Toledo Digital Billboards Art Project, please contact:

Nathan Mattimoe, Art in Public Places Coordinator

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

419-254-2787 x11

2012 program selections

A design competition was launched in July of 2012, and yielded a whopping 172 submissions from 88 artists! The design review board, which consisted of artists, graphic designers, business owners, and representatives from Toledo Detroit Outdoor media chose 10 images to be displayed on two billboards in West Toledo. Below are the winning designs.

Jake Lee

Janelle Lorenzen

Lauren Consolo Smith

Mike Arrigo

Mr.Taylor

Phil Hazard

Shannon Mossing

Steven Wipfli

Timothy Gaewski

Tina Gionis

BILLBOARD LOCATIONS: