Northampton Arts Council Issues Call for Artists for First Night Northampton 2027 Signature Artwork
Last year’s First Night Design by Michael Crigler of Bright Matter
The Northampton Arts Council is officially seeking an original design to serve as the visual identity for First Night Northampton 2027. Now entering its 42nd anniversary, the city’s premiere New Year’s Eve festival is looking for a "Signature Artist" to define the look and feel of this year’s celebration.
The selected artwork will become the face of the festival, featured on thousands of admission buttons, posters, digital media, and the official event program. The chosen artist will receive a $500 honorarium upon the completion and delivery of the final design assets.
To apply follow this link to a google form: https://forms.gle/Nz7mxonM9o4eX9Sn9
Application Details and Requirements:
Deadline to Apply: May 15, 2026
Selection Date: May 22, 2026
Design Requirements: Final artwork must be a high-resolution digital vector image without text (event titles and dates will be added later).
Honorarium: $500, payable upon delivery of final assets by July 1, 2026.
Artists are encouraged to review the visual history of the event to see how past designs have balanced vibrant imagery with the functional needs of the festival’s promotional materials.
How to Apply: Interested artists can find the application and submission guidelines through the Northampton Arts Council. For inspiration, a digital archive of posters from the last decade is available for viewing online.
By submitting, the selected artist grants the Northampton Arts Council and Northampton Arts Inc. the rights to use the artwork for all First Night Northampton 2027 promotional materials, merchandise, and digital media.
For more information, please contact the Northampton Arts Council at arts@northamptonma.gov or call 413-587-1069.
About the Northampton Arts Council: The Northampton Arts Council works to support and flourish the arts in the community. Since its inception, it has been dedicated to providing high-quality cultural events and opportunities for local artists and residents alike.
