Call for Participants: 48 Blocks Festival
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. Utilizing our public spaces to their fullest capacity is not only a privilege, it's a civic duty for all who hold the capacity to do so. We are inviting our network of community partners to participate in this expansive and immersive presentation of the city's creative energy. This energy is what sustains culture and drives progress. Together we can throw a truly memorable and meaningful party that contributes to a reality where Atlantic City really is the place to be.
Happening on Saturday, September 20, 2025
Rain Date: 9/21/2025
Confirm your interest to participate at this year's 48 Blocks Festival by completing this form (embedded below) before Friday, August 1, 2025.
Artist Opportunities are coming soon! Make sure you are registered for the Artist Insider to be notified when opportunities open.
Call for Artists: Summer Arts Mixer Market
The Summer Arts Mixer is on Wednesday, August 20 from 5–7 pm at Anchor Rock Club. Apply today to participate in the market!
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48 Blocks, One Poster: Call for Festival Art!
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.
Call for Artists: Spring Arts Mixer Market & Gallery
The next mixer is on Wednesday, May 7 from 5–7 pm at Anchor Rock Club. Apply today to participate as a gallery artist or vendor!
CLOSED | Call for Artists: Winter Arts Exhibition at Anchor Rock Club
THIS CALL IS CLOSED. Thank you!
ACAF is hosting a Winter Mixer at Anchor Rock Club on Wed. February 26th *new date* from 5–7 pm. This event is open to all ages and free to enter.
We're inviting artists to join a pop-up exhibit on the second floor—whether you have prints to sell or a canvas to display, we want to hear about it and make space for you at the event.
If you would like to exhibit or sign up as a vendor, email: staff@atlanticcityartsfoundation.org.
No vendor or exhibition fees, any and all sales retained by the artist. Space is limited, so get in touch today to reserve your spot!
Call for Artists: Inlet CDC Planters
Call for Artists: Inlet CDC Planters
We are currently seeking 24 artists, groups, or organizations to paint planters for the Inlet neighborhood. Planters will be created in Nautical, Hydrangea, or Open themes, with the goals of promoting the Inlet Hydrangea Trail and enriching the Inlet neighborhood.
Posting Date: 5/15/2024
Application Deadline: 5/29/2024, decisions by 6/7/2024
Painting Dates (on site at Gardner’s Basin): 6/15—23/2024
Apply Now: Mural Program at Our Lady Star of The Sea School
After School Mural Program Leaders
Seeking two muralists to lead a 4-week after school mural program at Our Lady Star of the Sea School in Atlantic City, in partnership with Mighty Writers.
Each leader will guide their group through the mural-making process from design to completion.
• April 8–May 2, 2024
• Group 1: 9 5th–8th Graders; Mon & Wed 3–5 pm
• Group 2: 11 1st–4th Graders; Tue & Thu 3–5 pm
• $2,500 Stipend
• Supplies & materials provided
• Mural Dimensions: 7’3” H x 20’ W
Applications Due: Monday, March 4, 2024, 5 pm EST
APPLY NOW: Downbeach Seafood Festival Chalk Art
Apply now to create a large-scale chalk art installation during Downbeach Seafood Festival, September 9 & 10, 2023. Applications are due on August 8, 2023, at 5 pm EST.
This project is sponsored by Good Time Tricycle Productions.
48 Blocks AC - Applications Open - Weekend Projects
Apply now to participate in the 2023 48 Blocks AC event weekend, June 24 & 25, 2023. Submissions will be accepted through May 26, 2023.
Learn more about 48 Blocks AC 2023!
48 Blocks AC Mural Application - Shipping Container at Cardinal
We are seeking an artist to create a mural on a shipping container at Cardinal during Mural Week - June 19-23, 2023.
Submission Deadline: May 4, 2023, at 5 pm EST
The shipping container mural is a companion project to the Mural at Cardinal, located in the restaurant’s year-round exterior space. Applicants should consider the theme of fusing art, nature, and industry when developing their mural concept. The mural has the potential to be an interactive conversation piece, interpreting the theme in a colorful, playful, and unique way. This is a commissioned piece by the team at Cardinal Restaurant.
48 Blocks AC - Applications Open - Adirondack Chairs & Planter Boxes
Apply now to create an artistic Adirondack chair or planter box, which will be placed on public view in Atlantic City when completed. Submissions will be accepted through May 15, 2023.
Learn more about 48 Blocks AC 2023!
The Mural at Cardinal - Applications Open
The Mural at Cardinal is a 5,000 square foot building wrap, reflecting the progression of the seasons throughout the year with each face of the building dedicated to a season. It will be the first touchpoint for diners, expressing the concept of nature overtaking the industrial world and the restaurant’s seasonal farm-to-table menu.
ARTeriors Artist Applications Open
Our next ARTeriors will be launching at Tanger Outlets, Atlantic City this winter, and the exhibition will run through the new year.
Artist Applications will open on 11/15 and close on 11/30.
Visit our applications page to apply!
ARTeriors is about transformation and transition.
Local artists transform a property in transition into an immersive pop-up art installation inspired by the artists’ interaction with each other and the space. ARTeriors highlights Atlantic City’s potential for innovation and evolution and aims to shift attendees’ perceptions of the city.
LEARN MORE: atlanticcityartsfoundation.org/arteriors
Chelsea Neighborhood Mural Applications Open
Muralist Applications for a mural that celebrates the Chelsea neighborhood will open on 11/14 and close on 12/1/2022.
ACAF staff interviewed Chelsea residents and business owners to ask which elements of their neighborhood they would like to highlight in a mural. The muralist’s concept art must include these elements to be considered for selection. All details are outlined in the application.
Chalk About AC - Artist Applications Open
Chalk About AC event: October 8th (rain date October 9th)
We are currently seeking artists to create chalk art pieces between the hours of 9 am and 12 pm at chalk pick up sites throughout the city.
APPLY NOW
All application materials must be received no later than five o’clock in the evening (5:00 p.m.) EST on September 30, 2022 for consideration.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:
Chalk About AC is a city-wide chalking event inviting the community to come together to create chalk artwork in Atlantic City, encouraging positive perceptions of the city.
The 8th annual Chalk About AC event will take place on October 8th (rain date October 9th) from 9 am-1 pm. Chalk will be distributed at North Beach Mini Golf, Cycles of Life, Vagabond, Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall, Homegrown AC, Atlantic Cape Community College Worthington Campus, the Noyes Arts Garage of Stockton University, Cozy Cohost, and Bungalow Park.
This year, ACAF will be hiring artists to create at an assigned chalk pick-up location from 9am-12pm.
Chalk About AC is a program of the Atlantic City Arts Foundation.
Arts Renewal Grant - Applications Open
Atlantic County Arts Renewal Grant
22 $1000 GRANTS ARE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE NEW JERSEY ARTS AND CULTURE RECOVERY FUND.
Applications Open: 9/16-10/27/2022
Eligibility: Atlantic County artists whose income was impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic
Application Process:
Click the APPLY NOW button or visit https://atlanticcityartistrenewalgrant.grantplatform.com
Create your "Good Grants" account
Complete online application, providing proof of eligibility
Proof of Eligibility:
Practicing Artist - website, social media, portfolio, resumé, etc.
Covid-19 Impact - email of a show/project cancellation, gallery closure, etc.
Atlantic County Resident - Government-Issued ID, bank statement, utility bill, etc.
Selection Process: Applications will be reviewed by a panel appointed by the South Jersey Cultural Alliance. Applications are graded by the completeness of your answers & supporting documents.
