Moorhead panel approves split between veteran and public designs for 30 sesquicentennial streetlight banners

The Moorhead Arts and Culture Commission on Feb. 23 approved a plan to produce about 30 streetlight banners for the U.S. 250th celebration, using $3,750 allocated in the 2026 budget and splitting design opportunities between a local veteran and community submissions.

City staff said the funding would likely cover approximately 30 banners and noted a local veteran is interested in contributing up to 10 designs; staff proposed issuing a request for art for the remaining banners. Commissioners discussed dimensions, pole attachment design and visual cohesion, and voted in favor of a motion to divide the banners roughly between 10–15 veteran designs and the remainder from a public call.

A commissioner asked whether the mockups matched the available banner dimensions; staff confirmed the 48-by-20-inch size reflected current streetlight pole specifications. Commissioners recommended bold, simple shapes and a red, white and blue palette to improve legibility from moving vehicles. The motion to split the banner designs was made, seconded and approved with two recorded vocal 'Aye' responses in the transcript; the motion’s mover and seconder were not identified by name in the record.

Staff said submissions would be reviewed by the artist review team (comprised of commission members) to ensure cohesion; if the commission proceeds, staff aims to have materials ready for summer deployment.