Announcing… 

$1,000 Design Award for the Living Arts Festival 2026 annual poster

Sarasota Rising’s Living Arts Festival is hosting its annual poster contest for the 2026 festival. Artists will have the chance to compete in creating an original poster for this weeklong celebration.

The Living Arts Festival is an interdisciplinary arts event scheduled for its third year from November 8 to 14, 2026. The winning poster will be used alongside the Sarasota Rising and Living Arts Festival logos for all festival branding and merchandise.

With this in mind, all elements of the poster must adhere to the branding and logo requirements of the Sarasota Rising and Living Arts Festival. Consider how these elements can be used in print and digital formats for merchandise, websites, and advertising to build a strong identity. 

Regarding the imagery in the piece, it should embody the spirit of Sarasota’s arts community. The emphasis is on the Performing Arts: Dance, Opera, Theater, Circus Arts, Choral, Instrumental, and more. As an inclusive festival, attention will be given to visual, fine, and culinary arts for display and celebration during this annual event.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Download logos here
• Leave space at the bottom of the poster artwork for sponsor logos
• Poster size is 18.5” (W) x 24” (H)
• High-resolution digital file or full-color printout
• Your full name, email, and phone

Choosing the winner will involve a thorough selection process that allows artists whose work the judges believe has merit to receive notes for resubmission.  

Sarasota Rising invites all students of the arts, designers, and creatives in the greater Sarasota/Manatee area to take part in this opportunity. In addition to gaining recognition through exposure at the festival and its promotional efforts, the selected artist will receive a $1,000 award stipend. 

• Submissions accepted until April 15th, 2026
• Winner announced on May 15, 2026
• Grand reveal at an exciting cultural arts event during summer 2026

Submit to: info@SarasotaRising.org AND PLACE “CONTEST” IN THE SUBJECT LINE

BEST OF LUCK! WE CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOUR DESIGN SUBMISSIONS!