City of Moscow, Idaho Opens Submissions for Storm Drain Mural Program Through May 29
Moscow Seeks Local Artists to Highlight Stormwater Awareness
MOSCOW, Idaho — The City of Moscow is inviting artists from across the region to submit designs for its Storm Drain Mural program, with proposals accepted through 5 p.m. on May 29, 2026. The initiative aims to raise public awareness about the direct connection between storm drains and local streams while showcasing the talents of artists from Latah County and surrounding communities.
According to the city, selected artwork will be displayed as mobile mini-murals on sign stands, positioned near highly visible storm drain inlets throughout Moscow. The designs will be printed on vinyl and installed on city-provided sign blanks, communicating the function of Moscow’s storm sewer system and its relationship to local waterways. Completed murals are expected to remain on display for two to four years.
Up to two artists will be selected through the program. Each selected artist will receive an honorarium of $300 upon completion of their artwork. All submissions will be reviewed by a selection panel before final designs are chosen for installation.
Who Is Eligible to Apply
The call for submissions is open to both youth and adult artists. Eligible applicants include residents of Latah County, Nez Perce County, Asotin County, and Whitman County, as well as members of the Nez Perce or Coeur d’Alene tribes. The broad eligibility area reflects the regional nature of the Palouse and surrounding communities, drawing creative talent from both the Idaho and Washington sides of the border.
The city’s Storm Drain Mural program is part of Moscow’s broader Public Art initiative and its Stormwater Management Program (SWMP). Past artists who have contributed to the program include John Carlucci, whose 2022 piece Woes of Nessie was photographed by Geoff Crimmins, as well as Maggie Keefe with Downstream in 2023 and Bernadette Johnson with Beavers in Springtime, also in 2023. These prior installations demonstrate the program’s track record of blending community art with practical civic messaging.
The program represents a cost-effective approach to public outreach — using local artistic talent to deliver an environmental education message rather than relying on expensive government-produced signage campaigns. The relatively modest $300 honorarium per artist keeps taxpayer costs contained while still compensating creators for their work.
How to Submit
Artists interested in participating are required to submit their designs exclusively through the city’s online submission form, available through the City of Moscow’s Public Art page. The city has noted that emailed or physical submissions will not be accepted, so applicants should plan accordingly and ensure they complete the digital process before the May 29 deadline.
For those seeking additional context about the stormwater infrastructure the murals are intended to explain, the City of Moscow’s Stormwater Management page provides background on how the local storm sewer system operates and connects to area streams. Understanding that relationship is central to what the murals are meant to communicate to the general public.
Moscow has a history of community engagement through its public art programming, and this initiative continues that tradition by connecting artistic expression with civic infrastructure. The storm drain mural program allows residents — particularly younger artists — to contribute meaningfully to the community while gaining public exposure for their work.
Moscow-area residents interested in community programs may also recall the recent display of community solidarity when local residents came together to create a memorial quilt honoring Kaylee Goncalves, another example of the Palouse region’s commitment to community connection through creative expression.
What Comes Next
The submission window remains open through May 29, 2026, at 5 p.m. Following the deadline, a selection panel will review all qualifying entries and choose up to two designs for vinyl installation on city sign blanks. Selected artists will receive their $300 honorarium upon completion. Those with questions about the program are encouraged to visit the City of Moscow’s official website for full program details and submission instructions.