Moscow Public Art

Public art is at the heart of Moscow’s creative culture, and with a collection including works by local and regional artists, its public spaces reflect the Inland Northwest’s tradition of artistic excellence.  

Artworks range from sculptures and murals to framed pieces in the City’s portable collection. Temporary artworks include vinyl-wrapped utility boxes, storm drain murals, and bus shelters as well as sculptures at the Intermodal Transit Center on the University of Idaho campus.

The City of Moscow’s acquisition of public art began in the 1980s, and is supported by a 1% for the Arts fund established by ordinance in 2004. A Public Art Master Plan guides the Moscow Arts Commission, Arts staff, and community members as they incorporate new works into the City’s landscape.

Moscow is rich with diversity of thought, inhabited by minds open to possibility and creative interpretation. As such, the public art program celebrates the artist as a professional and valued business partner while welcoming a broad range of media and art-making processes into its collection.

Now Accepting Vinyl Wrap Submissions!

The submission period for artist designs to be installed on vinyl-wrapped traffic signal boxes is open until 5 p.m. on February 24.

Submit designs using this form.

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Now Accepting Storm Drain Mural Submissions!

Artists are invited to submit designs for mobile mini-murals on sign stands, to be placed near highly visible storm drain inlets. The submission period is open until 5 p.m. on March 9.

Submit designs using this form.

2022 Storm Drain Murals

Public Art Dedication on November 4, 2022

2022 Andrew Thatcher Becker Memorial Sculpture Dedication. Photo by Corey Oglesby.

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Access at the ITC Sculpture Garden

Access by J. Casey Doyle, an artwork featuring a stack of three cloud forms and a ladder, was permanently installed in November 2022. It is a memorial to Andrew Thatcher Becker, a longtime Moscow resident whose advocacy for people with disabilities greatly impacted the community. The artwork installation was made possible by a donation from Becker’s family. 

Doyle’s artwork was selected for its alignment with Becker’s core beliefs in the dignity of all people, the equity of accessible communities, and the value of pathways both literal and figurative: smooth sidewalks to travel or communications that connect people to one another.

Accessibility, communication, compassion, understanding, and courage were watchwords for Becker, whose spirit of inclusion infused all of his work in Moscow. After studying political science at the University of Idaho, Becker pursued activism in many forms, including teaching as well as advocacy for human rights and the rights of people with disabilities. Becker shared energy with his community at Milestone Decisions and in service to the Moscow Human Rights Task Force, City of Moscow Human Rights Commission, and the Mobility Task Force. 

Doyle is an Associate Professor of Art and Design at the University of Idaho. He received his MFA with an emphasis in Sculpture from The Ohio State University in 2007 where he was a University Fellow. He holds a BFA with emphases in Sculpture and Metals & Jewelry and a BA with emphasis in Spanish from New Mexico State University. He is the recipient of two Idaho Commission on the Arts Fellowships. He exhibits his work both nationally and internationally. His art combines interests in craft, sculpture, metals & jewelry, video, gender and the concept of play. For more information about Doyle’s work, see: https://jcaseydoyle.com/

PERMANENT COLLECTION

Temporary Collection

VINYL-WRAPPED TRAFFIC SIGNAL BOXES

Artworks featured on vinyl-wrapped boxes have been a part of the City of Moscow’s temporary public art collection since 2012. This project provides public space for artists to share their two-dimensional work with the public, and beautifies street fixtures throughout the community. 

Each year, a selection panel chooses several artworks to be displayed at locations throughout Moscow for a period of up to 5 years. These works are enjoyed by Moscow’s visitors and residents alike, and have become a cherished element of the visual landscape. 

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STORM DRAIN MURALS

The City of Moscow’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) flows directly into local waterways, including Paradise Creek. The Storm Drain Mural program was created to raise public awareness for this direct connection between storm drains and local streams.  

Each year, a selection panel chooses artists to create murals on sign stands. This is an opportunity for artists to share two-dimensional artwork with the public while illustrating Moscow’s commitment to the environment.

INTERMODAL TRANSIT CENTER SCULPTURE GARDEN

The Intermodal Transit Center Sculpture Garden was created by the City of Moscow Arts Department in 2012, and it provides art viewing opportunities for the public as well as exhibition space for emerging regional artists. Each year, a selection panel chooses sculptures to be displayed at the Sculpture Garden for approximately twelve months. These works are viewed by travelers utilizing the many modes of transportation supported by the Intermodal Transit Center.

BUS SHELTERS

Bus shelters throughout Moscow have featured artists’ designs since 2008. At the intersection of aesthetic and utilitarian function, these public artworks create a sense of place for those traveling through the city.

Portable Art Collection

The Portable Collection is comprised of over 80 works, which are prominently displayed in City of Moscow buildings. It represents a broad spectrum of artistic media and styles and reflects the City of Moscow’s commitment to the arts.