High School Storm Inlet Stencil Design Project

Purpose of Artwork

The City of Sioux Falls’ storm drainage system is an important public utility and plays a vital role in public safety by quickly collecting water from precipitation before it can accumulate and cause flooding. Additionally, water that moves through the storm drainage system is discharged directly into the Big Sioux River. The purpose of the high school storm inlet stencil design project is to involve Sioux Falls high schoolers in educating the public on potential pollutants such as litter, debris, and hazardous chemicals that enter our storm drainage system. Raising awareness by highlighting how these pollutants negatively impact the water quality in our Big Sioux River is the focus of this project. The student artists will be tasked with creating designs that will be made into high quality reusable stencils that will then be utilized by the students on existing stormwater inlets near their respective high school’s campus.

To learn more about stormwater and the City's storm drainage system, check out this video.

Call For Art 2024-25

Timeline

November 7th, 2024: Project announcement – Information disseminated to schools
February 28th, 2025, 5:00 p.m.: Submission Deadline
March 3rd to March 14th, 2025: Design selection and edit request by environmental staff
March 17th ,2025: Final designs submitted for stencil creation
March 31st to End of school year delivery and use of stencils at participating high schools

Design Details

The purpose of the design should focus on water quality issues related to waterways or storm drains. The design should warn against undesirable waste in the storm drain, including litter, pet waste, oil, chemicals, and yard waste. Or, the design can communicate how the storm drain leads directly to the Big Sioux River. Submitted designs must be complete and meet the general design rules for a functional one-piece stencil. Schools are encouraged to create simple clean design themes with limited text. Submissions must include a vector image or rasterized pdf attachment of the proposed artwork for final submission. Designs will be cut into 48”x48” or 4ft x 4ft vinyl sheeting, designs need to fit entirely within the given dimensions. Each high school artist participating is encouraged to add their school’s 3 letter identifier to a corner within the design area. All designs should be original. Selected designs will be sent to Signarama for any final adjustments and manufacturing. Photos of designs and stencils being used at each participating high school’s storm inlets will be posted to the City’s website and social media accounts. Please contact the City of Sioux Falls Public Works Environmental division with any questions regarding your design. 

Application Process

Submissions may be printed and deliver to Jose Alvarez at 1017 East Chambers Street, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, or emailed to jose.alvarez@siouxfalls.gov with the subject “High School Storm Inlet Painting Submission 2024-25.” Designs must be submitted by 5 p.m. on February 28th , 2025. The following information must be included for your submission to be considered:

  • School Name and associated classes
  • Phone number and/or email of responsible person
  • Short statement about inspiration for design
  • Attached original vector illustration or vector illustration converted to pdf of artwork to keep on file

Approval Criteria

The design submissions will be reviewed by the Sioux Falls Stormwater Management Program. Approval will be based on the below questions. 

  1. How is the content or obvious symbolism of the proposed piece of artwork appropriate for those who will view the art?
  2. Is the artwork in concert with the theme?
  3. Does this artwork meet the stencil design criteria or be easily modified to do so?

Contact:
Jose Alvarez
City of Sioux Falls
1017 East Chambers Street
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
605-367-8282
jose.alvarez@siouxfalls.gov

 

 

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