Participate in the Rain Barrel Art Project

The Rain Barrel Art Project is open to artists of all ages and abilities. Interested artists must first submit a design for judging. A group of judges selects forty designs to be implemented. Artists receive the barrel and technical assistance from the Regional Storm Water Collaborative. 

How to Submit Artwork

Project Timeline​

The deadline for artwork submission for the 2026 Rain Barrel Art Project is December 12, 2025

• Complete your design on the Design Form. 
• Go to the ​Artist Entry Form entry form and submit your idea and artwork for approval. 
  • ​Each artist may submit up to three sketches.
  • Each teacher may submit up to 15 sketches. To learn more about how to get your classroom involved, print this document.  
• ​​If your design is approved, you will attend the artist workshop and pick up your barrel. 
• Paint your rain barrel.
• Return your finished rain barrel and visit it at the Cincinnati Zoo.

Finished Barrels

• Barrels are displayed at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden for the month of April.
• Barrels are auctioned via an site called 23 Auction. 
• The money raised from the auction goes towards environmental education at SaveLocalWaters.org and the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden.

---

Design Tips

• Only half of the barrel is visible at a time, so create your design with that in mind.
• Don't forget about the lid!
• Please avoid controversial topics, depicting cultures that are not your own, or using logos in your design.
• Reminder: while the barrel is provided, the artist must acquire their own supplies such as brushes, paint, and sealer. 

2026 Project Timeline - Tentative
October 7, 2025 to December 12, 2025 - Entry Period 
December 15, 2025  to December 18, 2025 - Selection Period
December 19, 2025 - 2026 Artist Selection Released 
January 3, 2026 10 a.m.-Noon - Artist Workshop and Rain Barrel Pick Up @ Cincinnati Zoo 
January 4, 2026 - March 27 or 29, 2026 - Painting Period
 March 26, 10 a.m. - noon OR March 28, 10 - 11 a.m. - Rain Barrel Drop Off @ Cincinnati Zoo (Education Lot)  
March 26/28 - April 23, 2026 - Rain Barrels Displayed @ The Cincinnati Zoo
Start April 1 - April 24, 10 a.m. - Rain Barrel Online Auction
April 23, 2026, 8:30 p.m. - Artist Reception @ Cincinnati Zoo
​

---