Calling Young Artists: Paint the Plow is Back

Summer is winding down, and the City of Sioux Falls’ Public Works Street Division is gearing up for colder days ahead. That means the annual Paint the Plow program is back, and the City is seeking young artists to showcase their work on City plows.

Paint the Plow—now in its 14th year—is a contest for elementary, middle, junior high, and high school students within Sioux Falls to decorate the City’s plows. It culminates in a public event for the community to vote on the winners.

“Paint the Plow has been an incredibly successful program for our City team, students, and community members who participate every year,” said Dustin Hansen, the City’s Street Operations Manager. “Not many people have—or want to have—snow on their minds, but this is a great event to raise awareness for winter preparedness while building community and letting young artists shine.”

Program requirements:

• Open to elementary, middle/junior high, and high school students in Sioux Falls.
• An adult (21 years and older) must sign up on behalf of students and is responsible for communicating with the City and overseeing the students’ work.
• Students can include those within the Sioux Falls School District, private schools, nonprofits, or other organizations that offer afterschool programming to youth. Priority will be given to those located within Sioux Falls.
• Participating groups must provide their own paint, brushes, and other supplies needed.

Students are encouraged to decorate the plows with festive holiday designs; however, the City of Sioux Falls does not censor the content or any viewpoints on the artwork. Any messages or views expressed are not those of the City, nor endorsed by the City.

Plows will be primed and distributed in the coming weeks. They are due the week of October 9. The City team will work directly with participants to schedule plow drop-offs and pickups.

Completed plows will be on display at the annual Paint the Plow event on Saturday, October 21. Participants and the public are invited to attend and vote on their favorite plow. Event attendees can also sign up for a chance to win a ride to school in a snow plow. Location and time details will be announced in the coming weeks. The Paint the Plow winner will see their plow in the Downtown Sioux Falls Parade of Lights on Friday, November 24.