Manchester Arts Commission Announces Call for Art Celebrating Manchester’s 180th and America’s 250th Anniversary
MANCHESTER, NH – The Manchester Arts Commission is issuing an open call for artists and graphic designers for a City of Manchester poster design contest.
The Manchester Arts Commission invites artists and graphic designers to submit original poster designs celebrating two historic milestones in 2026: the City of Manchester’s 180th anniversary and the United States’ 250th anniversary.
This is a unique opportunity to capture the spirit, history, and future of Manchester through bold and creative visual storytelling. We encourage submissions that reflect civic pride, cultural vibrancy, as well as the community’s connection to both local and national history.
Join us in commemorating Manchester’s past, present, and future through art.
Submission Details:
•Open to all artists and graphic designers
•Original artwork only
•Designs should be suitable for high-quality print reproduction
•Artists may submit more than one design
Selection Process:
Winning designs will be selected by the Manchester Arts Commission in June 2026.
Submissions are due by Sunday, May 31st.
Awards & Recognition:
Selected posters will be professionally printed and sold in limited quantities. Proceeds from poster sales will directly support the ongoing work and public art initiatives of the Manchester Arts Commission.
Winning artist will receive $250, runner-up to receive $180, both will have their work featured as part of the City’s official celebration of these milestone anniversaries.
How to Submit:
To ensure the highest quality for professional printing and reproduction, all submissions must meet the following specifications:
- Dimensions: Standard Lithograph size (18" x 24").
- Format: Digital files must be Vector (.AI, .EPS, .PDF) or High-Resolution Raster (.TIFF, .JPEG, .PSD).
- Resolution: Raster images must be at least 300 DPI at full size.
- Color Profile: All digital art must be submitted using the CMYK color palette to ensure print accuracy.
- Traditional Media: Physical paintings or drawings must be digitized (scanned or photographed) at high resolution. The artist is responsible for providing a clean, high-quality digital file of the physical work.
Please send work to ArtCommission@ManchesterNH.Gov and include your name and contact information.
Submission Details:
The call is open to all artists and graphic designers. Only original, unpublished artwork will be accepted, and artists may submit more than one design.
By submitting, artists grant the Manchester Arts Commission the right to reproduce the artwork for promotional and fundraising purposes related to the 2026 anniversaries.