Calling All High School Artists!
Ford House Outdoor Concert Series
Design the Official Summer Concerts Poster
A real design opportunity for Michigan high school students. Your work could be seen by thousands of guests all summer long.
Free to enter. Submissions close April 30, 2026.
Make your mark on a landmark
Ford House invites local high school students to design the official poster for the 2026 Outdoor Concert Series. This isn’t a school exercise or a theoretical prompt: the selected design will be professionally printed, displayed throughout the estate, and seen by thousands of guests across three summer concerts.
Entries will be reviewed anonymously by Ford House staff and judged on creativity, visual impact, alignment with the event theme, and how clearly the information reads. Finalists may be selected before a final winner is announced.
Who Can Enter
- Students currently enrolled in grades 9–12
- Must attend a high school in Macomb, Oakland, or Wayne County
- Individual entries only (no group submissions)
- May be submitted as a classroom assignment or independently
Winner Recognition
What the Winning Student Receives
Your Poster in Print
Professionally printed and used in official Ford House marketing all summer
Free Concert Tickets
Four (4) complimentary tickets to each of the three (3) Outdoor Summer Concerts
Recognition on Site
Your name celebrated at the event and featured on the Ford House website and social media
Poster on Sale at the Event
The winning design may be offered for sale at the concert series
Honorable mentions may be featured on Ford House social media.
Judging Criteria
What We're Looking For
Creativity & Originality
A design that is distinctly yours, not a template or stock-art assembly. We want to see your voice.
Visual Impact
Something that stops a passerby. Strong from a distance. Memorable at a glance.
Event Theme
Reflects music, water, and the outdoors. Appeals to families and adults alike.
Information Clarity
All required text is present, readable from a distance, and organized with a clear visual hierarchy.
Design Requirements
Specs & Required Content
Your poster must be 11 x 17 inches, portrait orientation, and include all of the following text exactly as written. You may incorporate Ford House branding (logos, colors) and a QR code for ticket purchases, which will be provided to you upon request.
Required Text (Include Verbatim)
Outdoor Concert Series at Ford House
- Saved By the 90s — Friday, July 10, 2026
- The Michigan Philharmonic Orchestra — Friday, August 14, 2026
- The Dave Hamilton Band — Friday, September 18, 2026
Doors open at 5 PM · Concert begins at 7 PM
Lawn Seats: Friends $22 / Public $27
Padded Seats: Friends $40 / Public $50
Concessions available
File Specifications
- Format: PDF, JPG, or PNG
- Resolution: 300 DPI minimum
- Color mode: CMYK preferred
- Include 0.125″ bleed on all sides
- Keep all key text at least 0.25″ from edges
- Design must be print-ready
Original Work Requirements
- All artwork must be your original creation
- No copyrighted or unlicensed images
- Only provided Ford House branding assets may be used
- The selected winner must be able to supply an editable source file (AI, PSD, or similar)
Key Dates
Timeline
Mark your calendar. Submissions received after the deadline will not be considered.
How to Submit
Ready to enter?
Upload your design using the submission form below. Each entry must include your name, school, grade level, and teacher’s name. Submissions are reviewed anonymously, so please do not include your name in the design itself.
Questions? Contact us at info@fordhouse.org
Each Submission Must Include
- Student name
- School name
- Grade level
- Teacher name
- Design file (PDF, JPG, or PNG at 300 DPI minimum)
Deadline: April 30, 2026
Show us what you can do.
This is a real assignment with a real audience. Ford House is ready to put your work in front of thousands of guests. We can’t wait to see what you create.
By submitting, you agree that Ford House retains full ownership of the submitted design and all rights to use, reproduce, modify, and distribute it across print and digital platforms for any promotional purpose, including sale at Ford House events. The student designer will receive full credit for their work but is not entitled to royalties, revenue, or compensation beyond the prizes listed above.
