Some of New York City’s garbage trucks are about to get a makeover — and local artists can get paid to make it happen.
Timothy Goodman’s design from 2022 seen cruising near MoMA in November. Photo: Catie Savage
The New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) has announced the return of Trucks of Art, a citywide program inviting artists to transform a full-sized sanitation collection truck into a rolling work of public art. Applications are now open for the program’s third round, following earlier editions in 2019 and 2022.
This year’s biggest change: artists selected for the project will receive a stipend of up to $1,500, paid by the Sanitation Foundation, the nonprofit partner of DSNY. A spokesperson for the department told W42ST, “It was important to us that funds be available to compensate these talented artists for their time and effort.”
The program is open to professional, amateur and aspiring artists alike. Selected participants will paint nearly 400 square feet of metal surface — covering the body of a 46,000-pound collection truck, with the cab optional and turning one of the city’s most familiar vehicles into a moving canvas that will remain on active collection routes across the five boroughs.
DSNY says priority will be given to proposals that celebrate sustainability, keeping New York clean, and the city’s sanitation workforce — aka New York’s Strongest. In keeping with that theme, artists are encouraged to work with donated or recycled paint, much of it coming from the city facilities that collect special types of waste like old paint, batteries and electronics.
Lady K Fever’s 2019 design at DOT’s Summer Streets in 2022. Photo: Catie Savage
Artists chosen for the program will have up to five working days to complete their designs, with painting scheduled for April. The finished trucks will then head straight back onto the streets, collecting trash, recycling or compost year-round in all weather conditions — so durable designs are strongly encouraged.
For artists considering making an application, DSNY’s guidance is straightforward: keep designs big, bold and readable from a distance, plan for variable paint colors and types, and avoid overly intricate details that won’t hold up outdoors or at speed.
Non-artists can also get involved too. DSNY is asking New Yorkers to support the program by dropping off unwanted paints — including cans, sprays and tubes — at one of the city’s five Special Waste Drop-Off locations. Artists will select what they need, and remaining materials will be properly recycled or disposed of.
Five new trucks will be added to the fleet this spring, joining previous Trucks of Art that are still out on collection routes today. Past winners have included artists from all five boroughs, as well as youth development organizations, underscoring the program’s citywide reach.
The 2022 Trucks of Arts were painted by artists from each of the five boroughs. Photos: DSNY
In past rounds, Trucks of Art has spotlighted a wide range of artists from across the city. The 2022 lineup included Bronx-based artist Donnell “Jigga” McFadden, Brooklyn designer Yukiko Izumi, Manhattan illustrator Timothy Goodman, Queens muralist Rymie, and a collaborative team from the youth development nonprofit The Door on Staten Island. Several of those trucks are still on active duty today — you may have already spotted one rumbling down your block without realizing it.
Applications for Trucks of Art must be submitted by Sunday, February 8, 2026, at 11:59pm. Full details, submission requirements, and the Request for Expressions of Interest are available at nyc.gov/TruckArt.