Philly is looking for a semiquincentennial poster. Here's how to submit a design

Philadelphia Launches Search for Iconic 250th Birthday Poster

As the City of Brotherly Love gears up to celebrate its 250th birthday next year, officials are on the hunt for an artist whose creative vision will represent the city in a unique and impactful way. For one talented individual, this prestigious honor comes with a $5,000 prize – a sum that is likely to motivate many aspiring artists from across the five boroughs.

The search for a standout poster design is now open to all Philadelphia residents, regardless of their medium or style. Interested parties are encouraged to submit their original work in any visual art format, such as illustrations, paintings, collages, or mixed media pieces. The key criteria are that the piece must be an entirely new creation, presented in a vertical orientation, and delivered in PDF format.

The winning design will not only earn its creator $5,000 but also become the official poster for Philadelphia's 250th birthday celebrations. Its prominence extends beyond city limits, as it will be featured in national print and digital publications, eligible for display in public buildings, parks, and cultural venues across the country.

Two runners-up – who will receive $3,000 and $2,000 respectively – will have their work showcased in select promotional materials and may also be displayed locally. These prizes demonstrate the potential for Philadelphia's artistic community to make a lasting impact on both the local and national stages.

The contest is part of a broader initiative from the US Conference of Mayors, which seeks to highlight local histories as the nation celebrates its milestone birthday. Participating cities will submit their posters to the group's annual conference in Long Beach, California in June for display. The deadline for submissions is Saturday, December 20 at 11:59 PM.

Artists are advised that their work should capture the spirit of a positive and inspiring semiquincentennial celebration, one that reflects Philadelphia's rich history and culture while emphasizing national pride and looking toward a hopeful future. It must also avoid any language or imagery deemed inflammatory or politicized.

For those eager to submit their designs and join this esteemed group of artists, now is the time to get creative and put forward an entry that will stand out from the crowd.
 
I don’t usually comment but I think it’s cool how they’re opening up the contest to all Philadelphia residents. Like, anyone can participate and share their art – it's a great way to showcase the city's diversity 🌎. The fact that there are prizes for both the winner and runners-up is awesome too. It's not just about winning $5k, but also getting your work seen by people all over the country 📚. And I love how they're focusing on capturing the spirit of a positive celebration – it feels like a really uplifting initiative 💛. The only thing that's got me slightly curious is what kind of themes or ideas are they expecting people to tackle with their designs? Will it be super traditional and historical, or more experimental and abstract? 🤔
 
I don’t usually comment but I think it’s kinda cool that Philly is doing something like this 🎨. Like, $5k for one poster design? That's a pretty big incentive for some talented artists. And can you imagine seeing your art on a national stage? It'd be sick to see what kind of creativity people come up with 🤯. I also think it's cool that they're trying to keep the focus on Philly's history and culture, but also looking towards the future – it's like they want to celebrate their past while also being hopeful about the future 🌞. And $5k isn't bad either 😂.
 
omg I'm low-key hoping someone with a super niche skillset (like typography) wins that $5k prize 🤑 think about how cool it'd be to see some mind-blowing, avant-garde design represent Philly on a massive scale! And yeah, the fact that they're pushing for a positive and inspiring vibe is great – it's refreshing to see city initiatives focus on inclusivity rather than just promoting a specific agenda. also, can we talk about how awesome it'd be to see some up-and-coming artists from Philly get their big break? that $5k could really make or break someone's career 🤞
 
🤯 I think its gonna be super cool to see what Philly artists come up with for this 250th birthday poster! The $5k prize is a major incentive, but imo the real win would be getting ur work seen by a national audience 📚🎨 Im all about celebrating our cities unique histories and vibes, so this contest feels like a total slam dunk to me!
 
🎨📦 Philly is lookin for a talented artist to create a sick new poster 🤩! $5k prize 🤑 plus international recognition is a pretty sweet deal 💯. I'm all about it 🙌! They need someone who can capture the city's history and vibe in a unique way 🔥. No drama or negativity, just positivity and hope ✨. Can't wait to see what Philly artists come up with 🎉!
 
OMG I'm low-key hyped about Philly's 250th birthday poster contest 🎉💡! It's so cool that they're giving a $5k prize to someone who creates something that truly represents their city. I think it's awesome that they're encouraging people from all over the five boroughs to participate. The idea of showcasing local histories and celebrating national pride is really inspiring.

I'm also stoked that they're emphasizing hope and positivity in the design. That resonates with me on a personal level, especially right now. As an activist, I've seen firsthand how art can be a powerful tool for change. 🌟

One thing that might not be immediately clear from the article is that this contest is part of a bigger movement to highlight local histories across the country. It's amazing to think about all the different cities and towns coming together to share their stories and celebrate their unique identities.

I'm definitely going to encourage some friends who are into art to submit their designs for the contest! 🤗
 
omg, 5k prize for a poster design? sounds like they're trying to bribe ppl into making art 🤑 anyway, gotta say, philly's got some good vibes going on, but i'm not sure if a search like this is gonna bring in the big guns... might be more of an opportunity for local artists to shine 💫 and who knows, maybe we'll get a piece that's actually fire 🔥 instead of just some bland, safe design
 
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