OVERVIEW
The City of Chattanooga’s Office of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy is seeking artist/graphic design qualifications for a design suite for City of Chattanooga produced America 250 events. Three individual event posters (Democracy Speaks, Pops on the River and Hamilton in the Round) as well as an overarching poster celebrating these events plus the mayor’s (city and county) finale celebration. This opportunity is open to all professional artists and designers over the age of 18 who currently reside in the United States.

PROJECT BACKGROUND:

America 250’s mission is to celebrate and commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, marking America’s Semiquincentennial. We aim to inspire our fellow Americans to reflect on our past, strengthen our love of country, and renew our commitment to the ideals of democracy through programs that educate, engage, and unite us as a nation. America 250 will foster shared experiences that spark imagination, showcase the rich tapestry of our American stories, inspire service in our communities, honor the enduring strength, and celebrate the resilience of the United States of America.

The Tennessee America 250 Commission promotes an inclusive statewide celebration and educational commemoration of America’s 250th by interpreting and preserving Tennessee’s unique stories, objects, landmarks, and places across our diverse state that defined who we are as Tennesseans and Americans. Tennessee’s America 250 Commission, a twelve-member body chaired by Ashley Howell, Tennessee State Museum, includes Tennessee State Senator Todd Gardenhire and three other members of the Tennessee General Assembly along with members representing the Tennessee Historical Commission and other related bodies.

ARTWORK VISION:

The design approach should be inspired by the histories, values, and aspirations that define Chattanooga and its people, while also reflecting the unique character of each featured event. Artists are encouraged to draw from local narratives, past and present, to create a cohesive design suite that captures the spirit, resilience, and diversity of the community.

Each component should respond to its specific context: Hamilton in the Round at Renaissance Park as a shared, open-air cultural experience; Pops on the River at Coolidge Park as a celebratory gathering rooted in music, tradition, and spectacle; and Democracy Speaks, developed in collaboration with Rhyme N Chatt, as an intimate and reflective poetry trail amplifying local voices. While each design should stand on its own, the full suite should feel visually connected and unified.

Collectively, the work should honor Chattanooga’s cultural landscape; its people, places, and stories while connecting to broader American themes of democracy, civic participation, and collective memory. Through thoughtful and compelling visuals, the designs should invite reflection, foster connection, and celebrate the many voices and experiences that shape both the city and the nation.


ARTWORK GOALS:

 The artwork goals will be further refined by the selected artist in collaboration with the City of Chattanooga’s Office of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy:

All design materials must be developed for high-quality reproduction across a range of formats, including print and digital applications. The use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools to produce or substantially generate visual content is not permitted. AI may not be used to create final artwork, imagery, or compositions included in the design suite. Final deliverables should be adaptable for various scales and uses, including posters, promotional materials, and digital platforms.

Designs should maintain strong visual clarity and impact in both large- and small-format applications, with careful consideration given to typography, color, and accessibility. All work must align with City of Chattanooga branding guidelines and be suitable for use in highly visible public-facing contexts.

Selected artists will be expected to deliver final files in industry-standard formats, prepared for production and distribution. Designs should be original, free of copyright restrictions, and appropriate for broad public audiences.

PROJECT SCOPE

Budget:
The total project budget is $2,000. This amount serves as an all-inclusive artist fee for the development and delivery of a cohesive design suite supporting Chattanooga’s America 250 events. The budget covers all costs associated with concept development, design, revisions, and preparation of final files for production across print and digital platforms. No additional funds are available.

Projected Project Timeline:
April 2026: Concept Development Phase, including initial design concepts and presentation to the selection panel for feedback
May 2026: Final Design Development and Approval, including refinement of selected concept.
May  2026: Submission of final, production-ready files

Deliverables:
Develop and present initial design concept(s) for the full suite, including visual direction that reflects all three events and overall America 250 programming

Incorporate feedback from the selection panel and City staff to refine and finalize the selected design direction

Deliver a cohesive design suite, including individual designs for Democracy Speaks, Pops on the River, and Hamilton in the Round, as well as an overarching design tying the series together

Provide final, production-ready files in industry-standard formats suitable for print and digital use

Provide organized working files and basic design specifications (color, typography, layout) to support implementation across platforms.