BETHLEHEM, Pa. — One of the region's most popular free summer concert series is seeking a new creative to design its promotional artwork.
ArtsQuest and Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks announced Monday an open call for artists to create an official poster and program book artwork for the 2026 Levitt concert season.
The deadline to apply to the artist open call is Friday, Dec. 12, and finalists will be notified by Dec. 19.
The Levitt SteelStacks Season Poster Call for Artists connects artistic innovation and community engagement.Hillary Rose Harper, Friends of Levitt SteelStacks Board
The winning artwork, in collaboration with the national Levitt Foundation, will be displayed in the concert series, which will feature nearly 50 free concerts at Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks, beginning in May.
“The Levitt SteelStacks Season Poster Call for Artists connects artistic innovation and community engagement,” incoming Friends of Levitt SteelStacks Board Chairwoman Hillary Rose Harper said.
“It challenges artists to expand beyond their traditional boundaries, creating work that resonates with diverse audiences in a commercial context.
"The public audience is then introduced to fresh artistic voices and creative mediums they might not otherwise encounter.”
How to apply
More than 50,000 listeners are expected to attend Levitt Lawn during the 2026 season.
As with last year's winning poster artist, local muralist Romeo Montero, the selected artwork will appear in the printed program book, on promotional materials and concert posters, across social media graphics and also on branded merchandise.
The winning artist will receive $1,000 and reproduction rights.
The artist call is open exclusively to artists living in the Lehigh Valley.
Applicants are asked to submit samples of existing artwork for initial review; a small group of finalists will be invited to create original designs.
A committee comprising ArtsQuest staff, Levitt Pavilion board members and other stakeholders will select the final artist.
Finalists will be asked to design a piece that reflects the “vibrancy” and community spirit of Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks.
While digital art is suggested, all creative mediums are welcome.
Artwork must be fully original, and AI-generated images will not be accepted.
Organizers also encouraged — but do not require — artists to incorporate familiar visual landmarks, such as Levitt Pavilion or the historic Bethlehem Steel blast furnaces towering behind the stage.
Designs should highlight the communal energy of the Levitt Lawn and promote values of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, according to ArtsQuest.
After the finalists are notified, they will need to submit their designs by Jan. 26, with the selected artist announced Feb. 6.
Honoring a Mission Through Local Art
The call for submissions ties directly into Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks’ broader mission of building community through free, accessible concerts and arts programming, organizers said.
Artists can submit artwork samples and contact information through the official submission link or email materials directly to cstevens@artsquest.org — especially if files exceed 25MB.
There is no fee to apply.
Organizers emphasize that the initial application is only for reviewing past work; finalists chosen on Friday, Dec. 19, will be invited to create a new, original design for the 2026 season.
