Poster Contest Application

Contest Dates

Entries Open: March 1, 2026

Entries Close: March 31, 2026, 5 PM EST

Public Voting: April 1-5, 2026

VOTING ENDS at 5 PM (EST) APRIL 5th

Winner Announced: Week of April 7, 2026

Prizes

First Place – $500
Second Place – $100
Third Place – $50

The winning design will be used as the official poster for the 13th Knox Asian Festival, and the winners will be recognized during the festival and on official platforms.

View the 2025 winners here.

Poster Requirements

Please review the following guidelines on how to enter the contest & the creative requirements for the poster design.

How to Enter

Beginning March 1st, fill out the form on this page, or send your wholly original artwork & information to [email protected]

Entry must include contact information consisting of your name, email address, phone number, & mailing address. Please also include your t-shirt size.

Entry Guidelines

Usage Rights: By submitting a poster, artists agree that the Knox Asian Festival may use the artwork for promotional purposes (print, digital, and social media), with artist credit when possible.

Eligibility: Only one submission is allowed per entrant. This contest is open to all ages. Youth & adult categories may be awarded separately.

AI Usage Policy: The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools is permitted for concept development, inspiration, or design assistance. However, the final poster must reflect the original creative work of the artist. Fully AI-generated posters are not eligible. Any use of AI tools must be clearly disclosed at the time of submission, including the name of the tool and how it was used. Failure to disclose AI usage may result in disqualification.

For student entries: AI tools may be used as a creative helper, but your poster must be mostly your own work. Please tell us if you used AI and how you used it.

Creating Your Poster Entry

Celebrate the 13th anniversary of the Knox Asian Festival by designing a vibrant and colorful poster that embodies the spirit of peace, love, and unity. We are looking for artwork that reflects welcoming communities coming together to promote harmony and cultural understanding. Check out the following information to ensure your entry covers all the required information and elements!

Festival Title

The official event name must appear prominently:

13th Knox Asian Festival

Event Info

Please note the event dates/times.

  • VIP Event: August 29 from 6-8 PM
  • Festival Day: August 30 from 10:30 AM-6:30 PM
Featured Performers

Poster designs must highlight the main performers:

  • Japanese Drummers - Matsuriza Taiko
  • Japanese Harp (Koto) -
  • The Columbus Koto Ensemble
Special Theme Requirement

The poster must recognize and celebrate:

Knoxville's 35th Anniversary of the Sister City Relationship with Muroran, Japan

Theme & Design Direction
  • Artwork should reflect Asian cultures, community, peace, and global friendship
  • Bright, welcoming, and family-friendly designs are encouraged
  • Original artwork only (no copyrighted images unless you own the rights)

Format & Size
  • Vertical layout recommended
  • Digital submission preferred
  • Accepted formats: PDF, JPG, or PNG
  • High-resolution (minimum 300 DPI)

Logo & QR Code  : Please also include this logo and QR Code  on your poster submission!

knox asian festival logos
13th Knox Asian Festival
Judging Criteria

Posters will be judged based on:

  • Creativity and originality
  • Clear inclusion of required information
  • Visual impact and readability
  • Representation of the festival’s mission and theme