🎨 Make your mark on NHFPL! 🎨
Enter the NHFPL Library Card Design Contest!
The New Haven Free Public Library (NHFPL) is excited to announce our very first Library Card Design Contest, running from May 12–June 12, 2025! Enter for a chance to have your artwork featured on an official New Haven Free Public Library card—and win a cash prize in the process!
Design a Library card as unique as New Haven.
We’re inviting New Haven cardholders of all ages and ability levels* to submit original designs that capture the spirit of our Library and community. Whether you paint, draw, or design digitally, we want to see your vision come to life!
Contest Details:
🖌 Open to NHFPL cardholders of all ages (children, teens, and adults).
🖌 Submit one original design—handmade or digital (no AI-generated art).
🖌 Designs must be appropriate for all ages and stay within the template dimensions.
🖌 Three final winners will be selected—one in each age group (child, teen, adult).
🖌 Each winner will receive a $225 cash prize and have their design featured on our new library cards!
*Participants under the age of 18 must have parent or caregiver permission to enter. Prizes will be distributed to your parent or caregiver for safe keeping.
Important Dates:
📅 Submissions open: May 12, 2025
📅 Submission deadline: June 12, 2025, at 5 pm
How to Enter:
- Download the Design Template.
- Create your artwork—remember, no names on the design!
- Submit your completed entry form—pick one of three ways to enter:
- Email your completed Design Template and paper Entry Form to [email protected]
- Drop it off at any NHFPL location
- Enter online below:
Card Contest
Click Here for the Full Contest Guidelines
Guidelines
The contest begins at 10 am (local time) on Monday, May 12, 2025. All entries must be submitted by 5 pm on Thursday, June 12, 2025.
The artist must be a New Haven Free Public Library cardholder.
Submissions must be original artwork, not subject to copyright restrictions or ownership by another individual or organization. Art submitted must not violate the rights of privacy and/or constitute libel or slander against anyone.
Artwork can include paper submissions using any art materials (pencils, paint, markers, etc.) OR designs using high-resolution (600 dpi) computer-generated or digital images. No generative AI (artificial intelligence) designs, please.
Artwork must be appropriate for all ages.
Limit one entry per person.
Three total winners will be announced: one selected winner each for Child, Teen, and Adult cards. Winners will each receive a $225 cash prize. Prizes will be distributed a parent or caregiver for safe keeping if the winner is under the age of 16.
Submissions must stay within the dimensions included in the Content Design Template provided.
Please do not include your name in the artwork.
Fill out the entry form information and sign the Artist’s Release” waiver. This must be included with your artwork submission. Submissions missing Release Waivers will not be considered.
Designs submitted by minors must be accompanied by an entry form signed by the minor and a parent or caregiver.
Designs will be judged by library staff, who will select the top five submissions for each age category. The top submissions will be posted on nhfpl.org for community voting.
Questions?
Contact us at [email protected] or call the Ives Main Library Circulation Desk at 203-946-8135.