Arts Board Debates AI Use, Forwards Award Nominees

MOSCOW – Five nominees will be forwarded for consideration for the Mayor’s Arts Awards, presented every two years, the Moscow Arts Commission decided by unanimous vote at its regular meeting Tuesday. The ceremony will be 6 p.m., Nov. 5, at the 1912 Center.

In other business, the commission voted unanimously on the two questions it will include in the random citizen survey conducted every two years by the city. The board also discussed whether there is a place for artificial intelligence (AI) use in the city’s arts programming.

“There are plenty of places where people can use AI; but in artistic creativity, it is stealing others’ work,” said Commissioner Donna Woolston, who spoke adamantly against accepting AI use in city-sponsored art. “How do we honor originality in our community if we allow AI?”

The city recently updated personnel policy to require disclosure of the use of AI; for instance, in polishing language in an email, said Moscow Arts Manager Megan Cherry, the city’s staff liaison to the commission. She said she will talk with the city legal department to determine next steps open to the commission on the issue.

The crux among commissioners was whether to ban AI altogether or require that use of AI be disclosed by artists participating in city programs.

The five nominations to be submitted to the mayor for awards consideration are:   

* Stacy Isenbarger, University of Idaho (UI) professor and mixed-media artist who died in August 2025.

* Ivar Nelson and Pat Hart, longtime patrons of and participants in publishing, journalism, and social and cultural history.

* Corrie Befort, dancer and inter-media artist.

* Molly Klingler, recent UI arts graduate.

* Palouse Women Artists, an education and support group.

The two questions from the commission to be included in the citywide survey this fall ask about 1) attendance/participation in arts events/programs and 2) experience with Moscow’s public art. 

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Moscow Arts Commission will be Aug. 11.