City Of Ames: Public Art Commission Seeks Volunteers For Storm Drain Art Pilot Program

Press release from the City of Ames:

01/14/2022 9:00 AM

In an effort to raise awareness about water quality, the Ames Public Art Commission (PAC) seeks resident support with a pilot project to educate the community about the importance of protecting our watersheds and environment. Through funds from the Storm Water Utility, residents are invited to submit potential designs to paint on an adopted storm drain in Campustown or Downtown, with a theme of bringing awareness to keeping these waterways clean and free of pollutants.

“Water running into storm drains flows into our local streams, rivers, and lakes. Pollutants that enter these storm drains can easily contaminate our water,” said PAC member Sara Sherman. “We are looking for creative ways to share that message through painting.”

PAC is looking for designs that align with the message of connecting the storm drain, waterways, and the environment with its impact on people, animals, and plants. Once a design is approved, artists will be notified and reimbursed up to $250 for approved supplies, including proper paints, brushes, and sand additive for slip resistance. The deadline to submit designs is Tuesday, Feb. 15. More information, including design templates and locations of available storm drains, is available at www.CityOfAmes.org/PAC

The Public Art Commission establishes public art philosophy, develops a public art plan for the City, monitors the public art budget and recommends funding allocations for public art within City facilities, develops guidelines for selecting artwork, seeks private and governmental funding for public art, and develops educational, promotional projects for public arts programming. The Commission on the Arts is charged with setting goals and criteria for arts expenditures for City Council approval, and with preparing and submitting a recommended plan for distribution of arts funding.

This press release was produced by the City of Ames. The views expressed here are the author’s own.