The City of Providence Department of Art Culture and Tourism (ACT), FirstWorks and The Boston Globe invite a graphic artist to create an original poster design for the 2026 PVDFest.

The awarded finalist will be determined by mid-June with contracting taking place immediately following. The selected image will be utilized throughout the summer of 2026 in PVDFest campaign materials, most significantly on the printed poster that gets distributed throughout the region and at the festival. The awarded finalist will receive $3,000 as the total design fee.

Questions about this call to artists must be submitted in writing by May 25, 2026. Write to Rebecca Noon, ACT Deputy Director at rnoon@providenceri.gov with the subject line “2026 PVDFest Poster.” An info session will be held May 22, 2026 from 12-1pm on-line and the recording will be available May 25.

Project Goals

The project sponsors seek work that will result in an inspiring, multi-use poster that embodies ideas around:

The People’s Festival
Made in PVD
Arts and Culture
Neighborhoods

Artistic Style

Highly graphic
Visually exciting
Recognizable imagery

Mandatory Logos and info to be included

PVDFest logo
Boston Globe Rhode Island (actual logo incorporated into the design)

VIEW ASSETS FOLDER HERE (Includes logos and size template)

Usage

This design will be featured most prominently on the official PVDFest poster, with a print release of 3,000. The dimensions of the printed poster are 11×17.” Artwork should be 11×14” to allow for addition of festival dates, location, website and sponsor logos at the bottom by PVDFest staff graphic designer. A size template is available in the asset folder. All design proposals should be submitted as a hi-rez PDF.

Additionally, this design will be used in the 2026 print and digital campaign and during the Festival on the Boston Globe’s parade banner. Though it is primarily a vertical design, the PVDFest staff graphic designer will create horizontal and cropped versions of the image as needed. A successful design will take this usage into account.

Project Budget

The awarded artist will receive a total of $3,000 to complete the project, inclusive of artist fees and materials.

Eligibility

Lead applicants must be twenty-one (21) years or older and hold a current Rhode Island home or studio address to be eligible to apply. Providence residents or artists whose practice is based in Providence are preferred.
This call is open to graphic artists, designers and illustrators with a proven track record of creating works of similar scale.

Preference will be given to artists who demonstrate cultural competency and previous experience working in and with diverse communities.

Past Posters

This is the first year that PVDFest is creating one Rhode Island artist-made poster to be used for the full festival campaign, sponsored by the Boston Globe. Past Boston Globe sponsored PVDFest posters are:

Adam Kelley 2025

Lola Blu 2024

Lumuku 2023

Agonza 2022

Art Selection Method and Timeline

Artists will be selected through a competitive process. Qualified artists may submit their Poster Design, CV/Resume, Artist Statement and Design Statement by June 1, 2026. Applicants must
apply online through ACT here: (Application Site Link).

Design Selection
In June 2026 the Art Selection Panel will review complete applications and score the submissions, ultimately selecting the awarded design and one alternate. Following the selection, the selected artist will be notified and the contracting process will begin. Upon a signed contract, the selected artist will engage in a brief design feedback process, as is needed with no more than two rounds of client requests.

Selection Criteria

The Art Selection Panel will be composed of five members including:

Boston Globe Representative
FirstWorks Representative
ACT Staff Member
Artist
Member of the Art in City Life Commission

Selection Criteria

The finalist will be selected based on the following criteria:

Artistic excellence and innovation
Recognizable imagery as relates to the Project Goals
Artist commitment to Providence

Artist Scope of Work

Upon award notification and acceptance, the artist shall sign a contract with PVDFest/FirstWorks for the activities outlined below:

Participate in regularly scheduled check-ins with staff from PVDFest and other relevant stakeholders, including engaging in a limited design feedback process, as is needed with
no more than two rounds of client requests.
Send the final design files to PVDFest within the scope of time outlined by the contract.
- Native file (eg: .ai, .psd, indd, etc.) with all links and fonts embedded and a highresolution PDF.
Participate in PVDFest press conferences, press release, poster unveiling, and Opening Night Party (Dates TBA)
Following the design acceptance, the artist is required to transfer the rights to the image to PVDFest. PVDFest will reserve the right to maintain, restore, and de-commission the work within the stipulations of the contract with the artist.

To Apply

Apply Here

Project Schedule

Call to artists opens	May 4, 2026
Online Info-session for Artists	May 22, 2026
Application deadline	June 1, 2026
Awarded artist contracting	Mid-June 2026
Final artwork files due	June 22, 2026