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

Philadelphia Seeks Iconic Poster to Celebrate 250th Birthday - Artists Urged to Submit Design

A call to creative minds in Philadelphia has been issued by city officials, seeking an artist to design the iconic poster for the city's 250th birthday celebration. As part of a nationwide initiative, the winning design will not only earn a cool $5,000 but also become the official 'Philadelphia America 250 poster' and be showcased across the country.

The competition, which is now open, aims to find a visually striking representation of Philadelphia's rich history, culture, and national significance. The ideal submission will highlight the city's contributions to American society, while also reflecting on its complex past. The poster must incorporate two key phrases: 'America 250' and 'Philadelphia', in addition to conveying a message of positivity, hope, and unity.

Artists from across the city are encouraged to participate, with submissions accepted until December 20th at 11:59 pm. This project is part of a broader national effort led by the U.S. Conference of Mayors, which seeks to amplify local stories and histories as America marks its milestone birthday.

For artists, there's an added incentive: the second-place winner will receive $3,000, while the third-place winner will earn $2,000. Their designs will also be featured in select promotional materials and could be displayed locally.

Key guidelines for submissions include:

* Original artwork created by Philadelphia residents
* Various visual art mediums accepted (illustrations, paintings, collages, mixed media)
* Work must have never been displayed publicly before
* Orientation: vertical; file format: PDF
* Themes should focus on Philadelphia's history and culture
* Must be free from political or inflammatory language

The winning design will not only bring honor to the city but also serve as a symbol of its significance in American history. With just months left until the nation's birthday, artists are urged to get creative and submit their designs for this exciting opportunity.

Philly needs some fresh art , let's see what these talented locals can come up with! $5k is a nice bonus too . Hope they showcase some of the city's iconic landmarks ️. Not too much pressure, just have fun with it !

I'm gonna need some more info on how they plan to make sure the winner is actually from Philly? Like, can we confirm if it's only open to local artists or anyone with a Philly address? And what's up with the $5k prize money? Is that for the artist or whoever picks the design?

I'm literally SO down for this!!! I mean, can you even imagine what an iconic poster would look like? The possibilities are ENDLESS! I'm all about that Philly vibes right now, and a sweet design prize doesn't hurt either . $5k is not chump change, fam!

I'm thinking we could do something super symbolic, like a Liberty Bell with a Philly twist or maybe a mashup of old & new Philly landmarks. The possibilities are endless, and I'm here for it . We gotta honor our city's rich history and culture while still making it modern and cool, you feel?

And can we talk about the themes?! It's not just about Philly being a great place to visit; it's about its impact on America. I'm thinking we could explore that in a really creative way. Maybe incorporate some iconic figures or symbols from Philly's past & present. The key is to keep it positive, hopeful, and unity-y... like, what can go wrong with that?

I'm literally already brainstorming designs in my head , and I know I'd be SO stoked if I were chosen! Can't wait to see the submissions roll in!

gotta be some kinda iconic piece that represents philly's complex past without being too heavy on the negativity... like, we're celebrating 250 years of history but also acknowledging the struggles... a mix of old and new would be dope maybe something that incorporates the city's landmarks with modern-day phila... gotta be simple enough to be recognizable from a distance but also visually striking... $5k isn't bad either

omg u gotta believe philly is gettin a major facelift 4 its 250th bday!!! i mean who doesnt wanna be featured on a poster with america 250 & philly all over it?! the thing i love most about this is how they're tryin to put a positive spin on phylls complex past, like yeah we messed up in the past but we're movin forward now . and the prize is pretty dope too, $5k for the winner & $3k & $2k for 2nd & 3rd place lol who needs that kinda cash?! anyway i think this is gonna be a super cool project and i'm def submitin my art cant wait to see what ppl come up with!!!

I think it's so cool that Philadelphia is giving artists the chance to showcase their talents! The idea of highlighting the city's rich history and culture while also reflecting on its complexities is really inspiring. I hope the submissions are as diverse and creative as the city itself! It's awesome that there's a prize for second- and third-place winners too - it'll be amazing to see all these unique designs come together. The fact that the design will become an official poster and be displayed across the country is just icing on the cake ... who knows, maybe we'll even see some Philly pride on a t-shirt or coffee mug soon!