Call for Artists

Norman 2026 Artful Inlets: Rotary Park – 1501 W. Boyd

Deadline for Submission: March 13, 2026 @ 11:59pm  

The City of Norman operates and maintains a series of underground pipes, open channels, ditches, and roadways used to collect or convey stormwater runoff from our homes and businesses to the nearest body of water, such as a creek, stream, or lake. In urban areas, stormwater runoff from hard surfaces, like roofs and driveways, flows along the side of the road until it reaches a storm drain, which is an opening or grate in the curb connected by a series of pipes and drainage channels to the nearest waterbody. Water and other materials that enter these storm drains are transported directly to our creeks and streams without any treatment. Some of the pollutants that enter our local creeks and streams with stormwater runoff include grass clippings, oil, trash, fertilizers, pesticides, and pet waste.

For the 8th Annual Artful Inlets program, the Norman Arts Council and City of Norman are inviting artists to submit designs that will transform city infrastructure into works of public art. These artful inlets will educate and raise awareness that pollutants that go down storm drains have a devasting impact on our local water quality.

There are currently 30 Artful Inlets in the community in the Walker Arts District, Lion’s Park, Colonial Estates, Vineyard, Sequoyah Trail, and Chisholm Cattle Trail Parks. This year we will be adding five (5) pieces of infrastructure identified for this project. They are located in Rotary Park, 1501 W. Boyd St.

This year’s Artful Inlets theme, "In Service to Our Streams," connects Norman’s culture of service with its commitment to protecting our local waterways. The theme encourages artists to design storm drain art that highlights the importance of protecting water quality while celebrating the collaborative spirit that strengthens our community).

  • Artists (or a team of artists) must be 18 years or older and a resident(s) of Cleveland County, Oklahoma.

    · Artists who completed an Artful Inlets design in the past are eligible to submit.

    · All designs must be submitted on the provided Design Worksheet.

    · Design proposals must be submitted through the designated online submission platform via the Norman Arts Council and no later than Friday, March 13, 2026. Only applications submitted through the on-line process will be considered.

    · Artists must submit and install their original designs.

    · Submissions must include a short biography and information about the proposed design.

    · A list of materials to be used that are not provided by the City of Norman and Norman Arts Council must also be included and approved. 

  • All submissions we be evaluated on the following:

    · Artistic excellence

    · Each design must include the slogan “In Service to Our Streams!” within the design.

    · When designing artwork, each artist is asked to consider the following themes:

    1. Stormwater Pollution Prevention

    2. Environmental Protection: the importance of cleaner water

    · The design must be appropriate for a public space.

    · Any materials supplied by the artist must be eco-friendly, not contribute to stormwater pollution, and be pre-approved by the selection panel at least two weeks before the designs are painted.

    · The design may not contain any business references, promotions, or advertisements.

    · It may not contain any breach of intellectual property, brands or trademarks, or depiction of illegal activity.

    · The final painting must match the proposed design.

  • ·  A $750.00 stipend when installation and sealing is completed

    · A clean, primed area stationed off with appropriate traffic control devices while painting

    · A tent to provide shade over the area while painting

    · Sherwin-Williams Armorseal paint – black, white, yellow, red, and blue with a non-slip additive

    · Artists will have an opportunity to mix paint colors prior to installation

    · Water for painting

    · Tubs and containers for water and paint

    · Drinking water and snacks

  • he original design

    · The ability to execute the accepted design within the allotted time

    · Brushes

    · Any other supplies or tools they deem necessary to execute their design

    The artists will be selected based on the materials submitted. Artist selection for this project will be made by a panel including City of Norman and NAC staff and members of the Norman Public Arts Committee who will choose 5 artists and 1 alternate.

    Soon after the selected artists are notified, a staff member from NAC or the City will meet with artists at the parks to assign designated areas and to discuss the specific size and shape of their design relative to their assigned space.

  • · · Submission deadline is Friday, March 13, 2026

    · Artists will be selected and notified by Friday, March 27, 2026

    · Artist meeting at Rotary Park, 1501 W. Boyd on Wednesday, April 8, 2026

    · Paint mixing day on Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at 9:00-11:00 AM and 1:00 – 3:00 PM 

    · Installation of the artwork will be on Thursday, April 17 and Friday, April 18, 2026

    During the two days of installation, the artists will be photographed and interviewed, and a video will be made to allow each artist to talk about their design, their motivation for participating, and their process. These will be used to create a feature segment for on the Norman Arts Council’s YouTube channel and other social media platforms.

    Please note that if there are any changes to the installation schedule due to inclement weather, selected artists will be contacted with alternate installation dates. 

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