April 1, 2026 ~ South Bend Launches Storm Drain Art Contest to Promote Water Quality

The City of South Bend has announced the launch of a new initiative aimed at raising awareness about stormwater and water quality through public art. The Storm Drain Art Contest invites local artists to submit designs that will educate the community about the impact of everyday activities on our waterways.

Stormwater, which is rain that runs off streets and collects pollutants along the way, flows into storm drains on South Bend's streets and then directly into the St. Joseph River without treatment. This can have harmful effects on the river's ecosystem and overall water quality.

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To combat this issue, selected artists will have the opportunity to paint murals around storm drains in downtown South Bend on Michigan Street between Colfax Avenue and Wayne Street. These murals will serve as a visible reminder of how pollution enters the stormwater system and encourage simple actions like proper waste disposal and reducing runoff.

Interested artists can find submission rules and details on the city's website at southbendin.gov/StormDrainArt. The chosen designs will be painted during the week of May 31 and completed in time for the June 5 First Fridays event. In addition to having their artwork displayed in a prominent location, selected artists will also receive $250 in compensation.

This contest not only promotes public art but also highlights an important environmental issue facing South Bend. By using art as a medium for education, the city hopes to inspire positive change in how residents interact with their local waterways.

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