Art in transit bus wrap photo competition
Santa Cruz METRO invites employees, community members, and students of all ages to celebrate the beauty of the Monterey Bay Area through photography.
Winning submissions will be featured on a full METRO bus wrap and in official marketing materials, with select runners-up displayed at bus shelters and across our digital platforms.
Open to METRO employees and members of the public, the competition closes August 21, 2026. The winning design debuts publicly in early Fall.
This competition and resulting bus wraps are funded entirely through METRO’s Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP) grant. These restricted capital funds cannot be used to operate bus service or pay other operating expenses.
One ride at a time
As part of METRO’s One Ride at a Time initiative, the contest will give participants the opportunity to submit original photography that reflects the region’s natural beauty, environmental stewardship, and the role public transit plays in connecting the community.
Submission Guidelines & Waiver
Photography submissions are expected to include high-resolution horizontal images taken within the Monterey Bay and Santa Cruz County, along with a title, location, and brief artist statement. Final submission requirements, contest rules, and waiver details will be available on METRO’s official contest webpage once launched.
Please review the submission guidelines carefully to adhere to all requirements. A signed waiver is required for each submission and will need to be attached to your submission form.