SPOKEN RIVER CALL FOR ARTISTS Open Call for Submissions: Spoken River
Spokane Riverkeeper invites writers, poets, and artists to submit original short-form work (max. 500 words) celebrating the Spokane River and the lands and communities it nourishes. Selected submissions will be featured at our annual Spoken River fundraising event on November 13, 2025—an evening dedicated to storytelling and advocacy for the health of our river.
We welcome:
Short essays, reflections, or stories
Poetry or spoken word
Brief artist statements with visual art descriptions (digital images to must be attached)
We encourage submissions from all perspectives—especially Indigenous voices, youth, and underrepresented communities whose relationships with the river are vital and enduring.
Theme: The river is here for us. We are here for the river.
Word Count: max. 500 words
Deadline: September 30, 2025
Contributors whose work is selected will receive two complimentary tickets to the event and will share their work live at the event.
SUBMIT YOUR PIECE:
Sponsor Spoken River
Spoken River 2024 is Spokane Riverkeeper’s signature evening of storytelling and community, and we’re inviting YOU to join us as a sponsor and river partner to help protect the Spokane River while gaining meaningful visibility, VIP access, and connection with local changemakers. Sponsorships start at $500 and directly support clean water advocacy, native fish recovery, and environmental justice.
Learn more about the event and sponsorship levels here and reach out to Anne at [email protected] or 509-464-7650 for additional information. We hope to have you join us!
register to attend Spoken River 2025.
Learn more about the event. Buy a ticket or a table and get a preview of silent auction items. Tickets on sale soon!
Spoken River 2024
We raised nearly $70,000 in the paddle raise and an additional $5,000 in the silent auction. Together we protected nearly 55 river miles in one evening! Check out some of the photos from the event below.
READ ABOUT THE RIVER
River Scenes
The Inlander, by Jack Nisbet, 6/5/03
Salmon and the Spokane Falls
Spokane Historical, by Casey Baulne
Creek With Two Names Is It Latah Or Hangman? Tug Of War Over Name Keeps Discussion Of Local History Alive
Spokesman-Review, by Jim Kershner 3/4/97
The Spokane River, edited by Paul Lindholdt
Rewilding the Urban Frontier: River Conservation in the Anthropocene, edited by Greg Gordon
SPOKEN RIVER PODCAST
Listen to our podcast, Spoken River! Search “Spoken River” on your favorite streaming service for more episodes