Moscow Arts Commission

Sonja Foard Regular Meeting Megan Cherry Commission Chair Staff Liaison ~Agenda~ mac@ci.moscow.id.us 208.883.7036 https://www.ci.moscow.id.us/452/Moscow-Arts-Commission Tuesday Council Chambers 5:00 PM July 14, 2026 206 E. Third Street WELCOME AND ATTENDANCE REGULAR AGENDA 1. Reading of the Mission Statement The mission of the Moscow Arts Commission is to enrich the community by celebrating and cultivating the expression of all forms of art and culture. Fulfillment of this purpose shall be based upon the following values: • Recognition and promotion of artists’ value by creating opportunities for work to be experienced. • Facilitation and promotion of the social, educational, and economic value of all forms of art and culture in the community. • Performance of leadership, collaboration, and outreach in the conversation between all forms of art and culture with partner agencies, city leaders, and the community. 2. Approval of Minutes from June 9th, 2026 (ACTION ITEM) PROPOSED ACTION: Approve minutes, amend minutes, or take such other action deemed appropriate. 3. Public Comment and Response to Previous Comments (limited to 10 minutes) Members of the public may speak to the Commission regarding matters NOT on the agenda or currently pending before the Commission. Please state your name and address for the record and limit your remarks to three (3) minutes. 4. Mayor’s Arts Awards Selection (ACTION ITEM) A call for Mayor’s Arts Awards nominations was open from April 23 to June 26, 2026. A total of 5 submissions were received from the community and are available to view here: https://moscowarts.submittable.com/gallery/5a3909c3-b699-4bbd-b256-525bb4dd431e The MAC is invited to evaluate each nomination according to the award category description published in the RFP (available in packet). Below is a list of the nominees as well as the categories within which they were nominated: Stacy Isenbarger Lifetime Achievement in the Arts Lester Ivar Nelson & Pat Hart Lifetime Achievement in the Arts Corrie Befort Individual Achievement in the Arts Molly Klingler Outstanding Achievement by a College or University Student Palouse Women Artists Outstanding Contributions as a Business, Club, or Non-profit NOTICE: It is the policy of the City of Moscow that all City-sponsored public meetings and events are accessible to all people. If you need assistance in participating in this meeting or event due to a disability under the ADA, please contact the City’s ADA Coordinator by phone at (208) 883-7600, TDD (208) 883-7019, or by email at adacoordinator@ci.moscow.id.us at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled meeting or event to request an accommodation. The City of Moscow is committed to ensuring that all reasonable accommodation requests are fulfilled.  Upon recommendation of award recipients and categories by the MAC, staff will forward recommendations to the Mayor for review and approval. PROPOSED ACTION: Recommend award recipients and categories or take such other action deemed appropriate. 5. Commission Survey Questions (ACTION ITEM) The MAC is invited to recommend up to two (2) questions for inclusion on the biannual City Commission survey. To ensure an appropriate return rate that would provide statistically valid results, a random sample of 1,200 Moscow residential addresses is used for the survey. To determine the random sample, an address list is obtained that includes all residential addresses within the 83843-zip code. From that list, all addresses outside of the Moscow city limits are removed, a random number is assigned to each of the remaining addresses, then the first 1,200 are chosen for the sample. Those selected addresses are then geo-coded to provide a visual check to verify that the sample is valid. Examples of MAC-related questions from the 2017 and 2023 surveys are included in the packet. PROPOSED ACTION: Recommend up to two (2) questions for inclusion on the biannual City Commission survey or take such other action deemed appropriate. 6. Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Arts Programming (DISCUSSION) Recent public art selection processes have surfaced concerns among the public and the MAC regarding the use of AI. The MAC is invited to discuss the use of AI in the development of artworks for City of Moscow Arts programming. REPORTS 1. Volunteer Hour Tally for June 2026 2. Staff Report (Cherry) • City Shop Mural • MPD Sculpture • ECP Mural and poem • Poetry in the Park on August 27th • Palouse Plein Air on September 17th ADJOURN Moscow Arts Commission Agenda July 14, 2026 Page 2 of 2  Sonja Foard Regular Meeting Megan Cherry Commission Chair Staff Liaison ~Minutes~ mac@ci.moscow.id.us 208.883.7036 https://www.ci.moscow.id.us/452/Moscow-Arts-Commission Tuesday Council Chambers 5:00 PM June 9, 2026 206 E. Third Street Foard called the meeting to order at 4:59 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT: Sonja Foard, Chair; Hannah Baker, Cindy Barnhart, Michelle Chamberlain, Sandra Stoops, Stefan Yauchzee MEMBERS ABSENT: Kim Crimmins, Erica Wagner, Donna Woolston OTHERS: Scott Sumner STAFF: Nichoel Baird Spencer, Megan Cherry, Jennifer Fleischman, Ty Thompson REGULAR AGENDA 1. Reading of the Mission Statement The mission of the Moscow Arts Commission is to enrich the community by celebrating and cultivating the expression of all forms of art and culture. Fulfillment of this purpose shall be based upon the following values: • Recognition and promotion of artists’ value by creating opportunities for work to be experienced. • Facilitation and promotion of the social, educational, and economic value of all forms of art and culture in the community. • Performance of leadership, collaboration, and outreach in the conversation between all forms of art and culture with partner agencies, city leaders, and the community. Barnhart read the mission statement. 2. Approval of Minutes from May 12th, 2026 (ACTION ITEM) Yauchzee moved to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Baker. Roll Call Vote; Ayes: Unanimous (6). Abstentions: None. Nays: None. Motion carried. 3. Public Comment and Response to Previous Comments (limited to 10 minutes) Members of the public may speak to the Commission regarding matters NOT on the agenda or currently pending before the Commission. Please state your name and address for the record and limit your remarks to three (3) minutes. None offered. 4. Storm Drain Mural Selection (ACTION ITEM) A call for storm drain mural designs was open from April 16 to May 29, 2026. A total of 8 submissions were received from the community and are available to view here: https://moscowarts.submittable.com/gallery/fef02a10-e382-46c5-9aff-d98f37c461c6 The MAC is invited to discuss and score each submission according to the criteria published in the RFP: 1. Formal & Conceptual Quality a. The artist presents a compelling concept. b. The proposed design is original to the presenting artist. 2. Content & Context a. The artwork’s subject matter and content is appropriate for public exhibition and Moscow Arts Commission Minutes June 9, 2026 Page 1 of 3  does not contain advertising, religious references, sexual content, negative imagery, or convey political partisanship. b. The content of the proposed design is relevant to the City of Moscow’s values, culture, and people. c. The proposed design communicates the function of the City’s storm sewer system. Upon recommendation by the MAC, Arts staff will present the Guidelines to City Council for approval. The Chair introduced Ty Thompson, Regulatory Programs and Projects Supervisor with Environmental Services, who talked to the Commission about the City’s participation in community outreach. Cherry provided a brief review of the proposed designs for the Storm Drain Murals, as described above. The Commissioners discussed and scored the submissions and agreed on two designs. Yauchzee moved to recommend that City Council select the designs submitted by Julene Ewert and Ashley Isenberger as discussed, seconded by Chamberlain. Roll Call Vote; Ayes: Unanimous (6). Abstentions: None. Nays: None. Motion carried. 5. Third Street Gallery 2027 Schedule (ACTION ITEM) The MAC is invited to review proposed schedules for Third Street Gallery exhibitions in 2026 and 2027. Discussions about exhibitions for 2027 prompted a slight rearrangement of the 2026 schedule. The packet includes both the revised 2026 and proposed 2027 schedule. At the May 12 meeting, the MAC recommended a solo show of quilts from Kascha Quilts in Genessee. The representatives of that collection have opted out of the opportunity, so an alternative is proposed for the 2027 schedule based on previously discussed interest from the community. Staff provided an update on the Third Street Gallery schedule for 2027, as described above, and the Commissioners talked about the proposed modifications. Yauchzee moved to accept the 2027 Third Street Gallery as presented, seconded by Chamberlain. Roll Call Vote; Ayes: Unanimous (6). Abstentions: None. Nays: None. Motion carried. 6. MPD Sculpture Recommendation (ACTION ITEM) Following initial submissions of artist qualifications, the Selection Panel and MAC recommended a slate of finalists to create site-specific designs. Those designs are available to view here: https://moscowarts.submittable.com/gallery/cf3db467-c437-4510-8be8-e9304e840d04 The Selection Panel recommends Ken McCall with the potential to replace the wings with an asymmetrical flame shape that incorporates the clock shape. A public input period was open from May 26 – 29, 2026. A total of 89 people responded, with results in the packet. MAC members are invited to discuss: • Artist recommendation. • Possibilities for design updates. Following a vote by the majority of MAC members to recommend an artist and design updates, staff will work with the artist to provide design edits and will present the recommendation to City Council. The Commission had a discussion about the recommended sculpture and artist, as described above, and reviewed the comments submitted by the Selection Panel, Moscow Police Department, and public. Yauchzee moved to recommend that City Council approve the sculpture by Ken McCall with the proposed modifications as discussed, seconded by Baker. Roll Call Vote; Ayes: Unanimous (6). Abstentions: None. Nays: None. Motion carried. 7. City Shop Mural Recommendation (ACTION ITEM) Following initial submissions of artist qualifications, the Selection Panel and MAC recommended a slate of finalists to create site-specific designs. Those designs are available to view here: https://moscowarts.submittable.com/gallery/20796d7e-9f79-4a1f-b0f1-0aa1db5f44d7 The Selection Panel recommends that the Moscow Arts Commission choose between Sasha Primo and Taylor Shaw, with these updates to the artists’ design as presented: Moscow Arts Commission Minutes June 9, 2026 Page 2 of 3  Sasha Primo Panel members suggested eliminating or de-emphasizing the plant shapes on either side of the composition, introducing more shop-related subject matter such as equipment and human figures. Selection Panel members noted that among the 43 members of the public who responded, this seemed to be the preferred option. Taylor Shaw Panel members suggested removing the side-by-side, cement truck, and woodchipper, placing more figures and park-related subject matter in the composition instead. One panel member suggested a “calmer” color palette, while others preferred Colorway #1. It was noted that this design is preferred by City staff members who work at the shop. A public input period was open from May 26 – 29, 2026. A total of 43 people responded, with results in the packet. MAC members are invited to discuss: • Artist recommendation. • Possibilities for design updates. Following a vote by the majority of MAC members to recommend an artist and design updates, staff will work with the artist to provide design edits and will present the recommendation to City Council. The Commission had a conversation about the recommended mural artists, as described above, and reviewed comments submitted by the Selection Panel and public. Yauchzee moved to recommend that City Council approve the mural submitted by Taylor Shaw with the proposed modifications as discussed, seconded by Barnhart. Roll Call Vote; Ayes: Unanimous (6). Abstentions: None. Nays: None. Motion carried. REPORTS 1. Volunteer Hour Tally for May 2026 The Commissioners completed the May volunteer hour tally. 2. Subcommittee Reports: •MPD Sculpture Selection Panel – June 2, 2026 meeting The Selection Panel met in June and recommended the selection as included above. • City Shop Mural Selection Panel – June 3, 2026 The Selection Panel met in June and recommended the selection as included above. 3. Staff Report (Cherry) • Mayor’s Arts Awards Nomination Period There have been two nominations submitted to date. • ECP Poem Recent PR campaign requesting community stories for the East City Park Mural poem. • Poetry in the Park on August 27th • Palouse Plein Air on September 17th • Artwalk Season Finale, hosted by the Chamber of Commerce, will be Saturday June 13th, 4-8pm • New show in the Third Street Gallery with the artist reception on Saturday June 13th, 4-6pm The meeting was adjourned at 5:51 PM Moscow Arts Commission Minutes June 9, 2026 Page 3 of 3 2026 Call for Nominations The Moscow Arts Commission (MAC) and the City of Moscow seek nominations for the 2026 Mayor’s Arts Awards, which recognizes individuals and organizations who have shown substantial support of and excellence in the arts. The event is biennial, with a nomination and selection process facilitated by City of Moscow Arts staff and members of the MAC. Award recipients will be honored in online promotions and at an awards ceremony. All nominations must be submitted online via Submittable. The MAC will review nominations before recommending award recipients to the City of Moscow Mayor for final determination. The nominations will be evaluated based solely on submission materials, so nominators are encouraged to submit the full range of documents required in the form. Eligibility • Individuals, students, businesses, and organizations that are makers of or advocates for the arts are eligible. • Awards may be given based on excellence in all media for art-making, including the culinary, literary, performing, and visual arts. • Nominees should be those individuals or organizations that have made a significant contribution to the arts and cultural climate of the City of Moscow through distinguished support and service or creative accomplishments. • Nominees must be current or former residents of the Moscow region. Nominations of individuals who no longer reside in the region must focus on the nominee’s contribution to the Moscow community. • Previous Mayor’s Arts Awards recipients are eligible for another award in a different category than the one previously received. Such candidates are eligible no fewer than 6 years after receipt of the previous award, and the nomination must be based on a different body of work than the one recognized by the previous award. View a list of previous award recipients here: https://www.ci.moscow.id.us/215/7131/Moscow-Mayors-Arts-Awards • Employees of the City of Moscow, current MAC members, and current City of Moscow elected officials are not eligible for nomination. • Current City of Moscow elected officials and Arts Department staff members are not eligible to make nominations. • MAC members may nominate individuals or organizations for awards, but any MAC member who makes a nomination may not participate in the Mayor’s Arts Awards selection process and must abstain from voting on the MAC’s recommendation for that award. Important Dates April 23 – June 26, 2026 Nomination Period July - August 2026 MAC selection and recommendation to the Mayor September 2026 Mayor finalizes awardee roster November 5, 2026 Awards Ceremony Submission Requirements 1. Nominee contact information (phone number, email, mailing address) 2. Resume or CV 3. Work samples 4. Letter of support from nominator 5. Nominator contact information (phone number, email, mailing address) Awardee Selection Process 1. The MAC will review all nominations using Submittable. Those who submit a nomination during the current award cycle or individuals with business or family conflicts of interest are ineligible to participate in the selection process. 2. Deliberations on nominations take place in a regular MAC meeting. 3. Arts staff will forward MAC recommendations for award recipients to the Mayor. Award Categories Individual Excellence in the Arts This award recognizes artists who have made a significant contribution to the arts in Moscow, and who have demonstrated a high degree of artistic excellence in any discipline including performing, visual, culinary, or literary arts. Considerations for selection include quality and originality of work, scope of audience, and previous awards or distinctions. Arts Advocacy Arts Advocacy awards celebrate individuals or families who champion the arts by supporting through their time, talent, and treasure. Selection will be based on the type and scope of service to the community as well as the nominee’s commitment to support of arts and culture in Moscow. Outstanding Achievement in Arts Education This award honors individuals or organizations that have made an outstanding contribution that impacted the value of the arts educational curriculum or helped to provide access to the arts for students of all ages. Youth Excellence in the Arts This award recognizes young people who show excellence in art-making, advocacy, or other service to the creative community. Those in grades K-12 or the equivalent at time of nomination are eligible. Selection processes will not only study the scope and efficacy of the current nominee’s efforts, but also the potential of the candidate to grow in their role as an artist or advocate for the cultural growth of the Moscow community. Outstanding College or University Students in the Arts This award recognizes area student artists who have dedicated a significant portion of their education working to develop and manifest their individual creativity within any discipline of art including performance, visual, or literary arts. Selection processes will not only study the scope and efficacy of the nominee’s current efforts, but also the candidate’s potential for creative and professional growth in the future. Outstanding Contributions as a Business, Club, or Non-profit Organization Businesses or organizations that have made outstanding contributions to the advancement, excellence, and support of the arts in Moscow are eligible for this award. The selection panel will consider the type of support offered to the arts as well as the efficacy of the organization’s connections and service to the community. Lifetime Achievement in the Arts Lifetime achievement awards are reserved for those individuals whose contributions to the arts, over a lifetime, have made a lasting and profound impact on the artistic and cultural life of the Moscow area. Nomination materials should demonstrate a track record of community participation, industry and peer recognition, and high-quality, original approaches to art-making and advocacy. Nomination materials should demonstrate how the nominee’s lifetime of dedication to the development and support of the arts will sustain the Moscow arts community into the future. The Mayor reserves the right to modify the number of awards or the assignment of awards to nominees based on the content of nominations. Nominees will be evaluated on the basis of the breadth, depth, and potential of their work and its impact on the Moscow area. The Selection Panel, Moscow Arts Commission, and Mayor will review nomination materials based on their demonstration of the values described in each award category. 2017 Commission Survey Results 2023 Commission Survey Results