Hillyard Street Light Banner Contest

Your art on Market Street Corridor. Let’s make Hillyard shine.

We're calling on artists, students, and creative minds of all ages to submit original designs to be printed on streetlight banners throughout the Hillyard District. It’s your chance to bring color, pride, and creativity to the heart of Spokane’s emerging creative district.

About the Contest

We're calling on artists, students, and creative minds of all ages to submit original designs to be printed on streetlight banners throughout the Hillyard District. It’s your chance to bring color, pride, and creativity to the heart of Spokane’s emerging creative district.

Who Can Enter:

  • All ages welcome

  • Open to individuals and groups

  • No residency requirement, but designs should reflect Hillyard’s story or future

Prizes & Recognition

  • Winning designs will be installed on 86 banner poles along the Market Street Corridor

  • Featured on Hillyard social media and website

  • Submissions will be honored as an exhibit during our July 17th Third Thursdays event

  • Winning artist honored at a Creative District Designation celebratory event TBD

  • Winning artist may also receive a small stipend or honorarium as a thank-you for their contribution, depending on available funding.

Design Guidelines

Theme: “Creativity, Community, Culture”
We’re looking for bold, vibrant, and original designs that represent the spirit of Hillyard — its history, diversity, and creative energy.

See Design Template

Design Specs:

  • Banner size: 18" x 36" (Vertical Format)

  • Designed in high-resolution (minimum 300 DPI with bleed)

  • Please upload a smaller version (< 10MB) of your design for judging.
    Accepted formats: .JPG, .PNG, or .PDF

  • Finalists will be contacted to submit a print-ready high-resolution file (300 dpi with bleed, ideally as a .PDF or vector format like .AI or .EPS)

Design Guidelines:

  • Artwork must be original (no AI-generated or copied images)

  • Avoid text-heavy designs — imagery speaks louder

  • No profanity, hate symbols, or copyrighted material

Tips:

  • Use bold contrast for visibility

  • Think about how it will look from a distance

  • Celebrate Hillyard’s identity in your own style

Timeline

Submission Deadline: July 12, 2025

Social Media Post - Voting: July 16–23, 2025

Votes on social media will determine the finalists. Artist names will be hidden to create a fair contest.

Final Winner Selection: July 25, 2025

Winner selected by Judging Panel (See Judging section below)

Notify Winner & Collect Files: July 26–29, 2025

Receive final print-ready files from artist of winning design.

Production & Installation: July 30 – September 13, 2025

Celebration & Banner Unveiling: September 20, 2025

Judging & Selection

Finalists will be evaluated and selected by a panel of local artists, community leaders, and Hillyard Creative District members based on:

  • Creativity

  • Relevance to theme

  • Visual impact

  • Community pride

Some finalists may also be selected through public voting on social media.

Questions? Check here first!

  • Yes — up to two per person.

  • Yes. You grant us permission to reproduce your design for this project, but you keep the rights to your work.

  • Artist names can be credited separately. We ask that designs remain non-commercial in appearance.

  • Nope! But the artwork should reflect the Hillyard spirit and themes.

  • Yes — all entrants will receive an update once the winner is chosen.

Submit Your Design

Please fill out this upload form by July 12th!

By submitting artwork, the entrant certifies that the work is original and does not infringe on the rights of any third party. Entrants agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Hillyard Creative District group from any claims arising from the submitted content.