Oktoberfest Poster Art

The DAI is seeking a Poster Artist for Oktoberfest! 

The Dayton Art Institute is excited to announce the 54th annual Oktoberfest to be held September 26-28, 2025, and we are seeking a talented and creative artist to design a captivating poster that represents the spirit and essence of Dayton, the Dayton Art Institute and Oktoberfest. This Request for Proposal (RFP) is to identify an artist who possesses the skills and vision to create a unique poster that will engage our festival goers and the surrounding community, and contribute to the financial success of the museum’s largest fundraiser.

Project Overview

We are looking for an artist to design a festival poster that encapsulates the diversity, ambiance and energy of the Dayton Art Institute and its Oktoberfest festival. The design should be visually appealing, captivating and capable of generating interest and excitement among festival goers. The chosen design will be printed as numbered limited-edition posters available for festival attendee purchase, with proceeds supporting the Dayton Art Institute.

The selected artist will be honored at the poster unveiling (date to be determined), be provided an artisan booth, free of charge, at the 2025 DAI Oktoberfest to sell and market their merchandise, OR receive a stipend in equitable booth value of $400; Receive two Preview Party and eight General Admission Oktoberfest tickets; and be featured on the DAI Oktoberfest website, in a DAI email newsletter, on DAI’s social media platforms and in the Oktoberfest press release and any subsequent media interviews.

Sound like you? Interested artists are requested to submit a proposal that includes the following: 

• Introduction of themselves and portfolio: A portfolio showcasing previous artwork, particularly any relevant experience in designing posters for events or festivals. 
• Concept Proposal: A detailed concept proposal outlining the artist’s vision for the festival poster, including any specific colors, ideas, themes or inspirations. 
• Availability: The artist must be available to sign posters each day of the festival (hours to be determined) and participate in pre-festival marketing and media relations as requested.

Requirements

• Originality: The artwork must be original, unique and not infringe upon any copyright or intellectual property rights.
• Creativity: The artist should showcase their creativity and ability to translate the festival’s theme into an eye-catching visual representation.
• Conceptualization: The poster should effectively convey the DAI and Oktoberfest spirit, activities and overall vibe through its design. 
• Technical Skills: The artist should demonstrate proficiency in graphic design and possess the ability to create high-quality digital and print-ready artwork. 
• Timeliness: The selected artist will be required to deliver the final design within the specified timeframe. 
• Collaboration: The artist should be open to collaborating with our team to ensure the poster aligns with our vision and requirements and works well alongside this year’s Oktoberfest theme and branding.

Evaluation Criteria

 Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria: 

• Artistic talent and creativity. 
• Alignment with the DAI mission, Oktoberfest environment and the greater Dayton community. 
• Demonstrated ability to create visually appealing designs. 
• Previous experience designing posters for events or festivals. 

Selection Process

After evaluating the proposals, artists will be invited for an interview and presentation to discuss their concept and clarify any questions. The final artist will be chosen based on their proposal, portfolio and interview/presentation. All rights to the selected poster will belong to the Dayton Art Institute.