Introduction
The Atlantic City Arts Foundation is hosting our annual 48 Blocks Festival on September 20, 2025 and are seeking a local artist to create the official poster artwork. We've chosen 'full-tilt' as the theme for this year's event. What does 48 Blocks Festival at full-tilt look like?
One day. One place. A full-tilt celebration of Atlantic City’s creative spirit featuring art, live performances, and stories from all 48 blocks.
48 Blocks Festival is a fully-loaded festival, complete with two stages of local live music, theater, and poetry, a full schedule of art activities and demonstrations, a marketplace of exhibiting artists and vendors, social service resources, restaurant pop-ups, and most importantly, you.
This festival is dedicated to the diverse and unique; to the beautiful and strange; the beloved and misunderstood: to the artist in us all.
Project Overview
The selected artist will have the opportunity to create the official festival poster design. The final design should be bold and vibrant, reflecting the ‘full-tilt’ theme, and capture the effervescent spirit of arts and culture in Atlantic City. The artwork must be original, unique, and not infringe upon any copyright or intellectual property rights.
The selected artist must be open to ensuring the final poster design aligns with our vision and organizational needs. Your design will be used in print and digital promotion for the festival, and on festival merchandise.
The Atlantic City Arts Foundation will pay a stipend of $1,000 to the selected artist, inclusive of all of artist fees and materials. All rights to the final poster design will belong to the Atlantic City Arts Foundation.
Eligibility
Open to individual artists ages 18+ who reside in New Jersey.
Artists with underrepresented backgrounds or criminal history are encouraged to apply.
Must be available to participate at the festival on Saturday, September 20, 2025.
Evaluation & Selection Process
Submissions will be evaluated on the following criteria:
Artistic merit, authentic creativity, visual impact, and ability to inspire engagement;
Technical skill, proficiency in chosen medium, ability to create high-quality digital artwork; and
Demonstrated capacity to complete and deliver final design assets within the specified timeline.
Artists may be contacted by the judging committee to discuss their concept and clarify any questions. The selected artist will be chosen based on their submitted proposal and portfolio.
Timeline
Submission window opens: July 15, 2025
Deadline to submit: July 24, 2025
Artist selection: July 25, 2025
Final design deadline: August 11, 2025
How to Apply
Please thoughtfully compile and submit the following:
Artist Statement (500 words max.) that represents you and your work.
Design Narrative (1-2 paragraphs) that explains your concept for the artwork.
Rough Sketch that illustrates your vision for the poster design.
Portfolio (3–5 relevant examples) that highlights your best work.
Submit all materials to the Atlantic City Arts Foundation by July 25, 2025 at 5:00 PM:
Via email to tina@atlanticcityartsfoundation.org with the subject line:
48 BLOCKS POSTER PROPOSAL - [YOUR NAME]
Or deliver to 1535 Bacharach Blvd. Room 284, Atlantic City, NJ 08401
Attention: Tina Notaro, Atlantic City Arts Foundation
We look forward to receiving your submissions, please reach out with any questions. Thank you for your interest in contributing to the magic and memories of 48 Blocks Festival 2025.