Design the Official Poster for Midsumma Festival 2027

Midsumma Festival is Australia's premier LGBTQIA+ arts and cultural festival, bringing together artists, audiences and communities through hundreds of events each summer across Melbourne and regional Victoria.

Our primary event, Midsumma Festival, usually runs over 22 days in Melbourne's summer (January/February) each year with over 200 events, across 100+ venues that centre around hidden and mainstream queer culture, involving local, interstate, and international artists.

As a vibe, it's "Confluence"

Confluence explores the moments where people, ideas, cultures and stories meet, creating something richer together.

We invite artists to interpret this theme in their own way. Rather than seeking literal representations, we're looking for artwork that explores connection, intersection, exchange, belonging and possibility.

There is no single interpretation of Confluence, we're looking for original work that surprises, inspires and captures the spirit of Midsumma Festival.

We're seeking an original poster concept that will become the visual identity of Midsumma Festival 2027.

The selected artwork should be bold, memorable and adaptable across a wide range of applications, including the Program Guide, website, social media, advertising, merchandise and environmental signage.

While inspired by the 2027 theme, Confluence, your concept should avoid literal interpretations and instead create a distinctive visual language that reflects the creativity, diversity and energy of Midsumma Festival.

Eligible submissions will be reviewed by a selection panel and assessed against:

• Response to the Festival theme
• Originality and creativity
• Strength of the creative vision
• Artistic quality and demonstrated practice
• Suitability as the Festival's visual identity
• Potential to be developed into the final commissioned artwork

* Shortlisted applicants may be contacted if further clarification is required.

One artist will be selected to receive the commission and develop their concept into the official Midsumma Festival 2027 poster and visual identity.

This opportunity is open to emerging and established artists, illustrators, designers, photographers and multidisciplinary creatives.

Applications are welcome from individuals, artist collectives and collaborative teams working in any visual medium.

Artists retain copyright in their original artwork.

By submitting a proposal, you grant Midsumma permission to review and assess your submission as part of the selection process.

The commissioned artist will enter into a licensing agreement granting Midsumma the right to reproduce, adapt and promote the artwork across Midsumma Festival marketing and promotional materials, from Nov 2026 to Feb 2027 only, while the artist retains copyright.

Artists will be credited wherever possible and practicable.

Every Festival tells a different story.

Explore previous Festival posters to discover the artists and visual identities that have shaped Midsumma over the years. 

We encourage you to be inspired by previous commissions, but not constrained by them. We're looking for a fresh interpretation of Midsumma Festival 2027.

View Previous Festival Posters →

Explore Past Programs

Does my artwork need to be finished for me to submit at this stage?

No. We're looking for your creative vision and your potential to develop it into the official Festival poster, not a completed artwork.

Can I include existing artwork in my submission?

Yes. Existing original artwork is encouraged if it helps communicate your artistic style, visual language or the direction you would take if commissioned.

You're welcome to include previous works alongside sketches, mood boards or new concepts. The selection panel will assess your overall creative vision and its potential, rather than expecting a finished artwork at this stage.

Can I be commissioned if my submission isn't finished?

Absolutely. The purpose of this process is to identify the strongest creative concept and the artist best placed to develop it. If selected, you'll work with Midsumma to refine and produce the final artwork.

Can I submit more than one concept?

Yes. You're welcome to submit multiple concepts. Please submit each concept separately with its own written explanation.

Can I work in any medium?

Yes. We welcome submissions across all visual art forms, including illustration, painting, photography, collage, printmaking, sculpture, textiles, graphic design, mixed media and digital art.

If selected, you'll work with Midsumma to prepare the final artwork for production. The completed artwork must be supplied in agreed digital, print-ready formats suitable for publication across a range of campaign applications. Detailed artwork specifications will be provided during the commissioning process.

Can I use AI?

Generative AI may be used as a supporting creative tool only and must be disclosed in your submission. We will not accept submissions that are wholly or predominantly generated using AI or where AI replaces your own original creative authorship. Your submission should clearly demonstrate your artistic vision, creative decision-making and original authorship.

Can I collaborate with another artist?

Yes. Collaborative submissions are welcome. Please nominate one primary contact person within your submission.

Will I receive feedback?

Due to the anticipated number of submissions, we're unable to provide individual feedback on unsuccessful applications. We sincerely thank every artist who takes the time to share their work and encourage you to apply for future opportunities with Midsumma.

If you have any questions about the commission or submission process, we'd love to hear from you.

[email protected]