The 2026 Show Me Neighborhood Art Month is underway and there are likely some public art displays near you! With over 100 sites registered (a new record for us), lots of Missourians are doing their part to help create a sense of belonging with art in their communities. To learn more or see the interactive state map, or to even vote for your favorite art, visit our website . Be sure to see the vote link below the map and let us know your top three favorites! Over 250 people have already responded and their answers to our key survey question has revealed to us: What Neighborhood Art Reveals About Community Here are a few blogs that highlight some of the projects across the state. Each one is linked to a post on our We Are Neighbors blog. The Springfield 66 Centennial Sculpture Series is a community-wide public art initiative created to celebrate the upcoming 100th anniversary of Route 66 while strengthening community identity, civic pride, and neighborhood connection across Spring...

  Mural by Hector Garcia (age 14) in Princeton, Missouri When people talk about the value of art, the conversation often centers on creativity, self-expression, or aesthetics. Those things matter. But responses from participants and visitors involved in Missouri's Show Me Neighborhood Art Month suggest that community art may be doing something even more important. It is helping people feel connected. As part of the 2026 People's Choice voting process for Show Me Neighborhood Art Month, participants were asked a simple question: "As an artist or member of the public, how does this art project make you feel about your community? Does it impact your sense of belonging and connection?" The answers reveal a powerful story. The most common emotions expressed were pride, happiness, love, and appreciation. Many respondents used words such as "proud," "happy," "beautiful," "wonderful," and "encouraging." Others spoke about how...

  Some community projects begin with a large grant, a formal plan, or a major public investment. Others begin with something much simpler: a few flowers, a little imagination, and neighbors willing to work together. In Washington, Missouri, one of the community’s most unique and beloved destinations began exactly that way. Artsy Alley, located behind 1104 E. 1st Street, started in 2023 as a residential flower planting project. What was once an ordinary alley has gradually transformed into a colorful outdoor gallery where art and nature blend together in a way that feels both whimsical and welcoming. Today, visitors strolling through the alley are greeted by an explosion of color. Gardens lining both sides of the alley feature waves of zinnias, cosmos, sunflowers, poppies, hollyhocks, and countless other seasonal blooms. Throughout the growing season, the landscape changes constantly, offering something new with every visit. But the flowers are only part of the story. As the project...

Author's note: You can register for Neighboring 101 (one-time fee) on the MU Extension website  in order to attend this session on May 21 live. SPRINGFIELD, Mo. --  In many small towns, the conversation about growth tends to revolve around infrastructure, jobs, and attracting outside investment. But one of the most powerful (and often overlooked) assets is already there: local creativity.  When communities tap into their artistic talent, they don’t just beautify spaces—they build identity, pride, and a shared sense of belonging. From Empty Spaces to Shared Places Arts-led development has a unique way of transforming the everyday landscape. A blank wall becomes a storytelling canvas. An empty lot turns into a gathering space. A quiet alley evolves into a destination. In Mount Sterling, Kentucky, the Gateway Regional Arts Center has demonstrated just how impactful this approach can be. Through initiatives like a public art trail and the vibrant Umbrella Alley installation,...

Best of Show   – One of 13 submissions from the Main Street of Marble Hill, Mo A video of the live announcement  of these winners and discussion about Show Me Neighborhood Art Week can be viewed on YouTube. SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- University of Missouri Extension is proud to announce the regional and statewide winners of the 2025 Show Me Neighborhood Art Week , a creative community outreach program that celebrates public art as a tool to build stronger neighborhoods and deepen residents’ sense of belonging. Now in its second year, the weeklong initiative encourages Missourians of all ages and skill levels to create art that reflects pride in their neighborhood and contributes to a shared sense of place.  In 2025, 68 sites from across every MU Extension region participated, and 434 public votes were cast to help us recognize outstanding entries. Fourteen votes from people out of state who were visiting displays.  The number of registered sites and Missourians vot...