Newport Classical is seeking original artwork inspired by Newport, live performance and the organization's iconic venues for its first-ever poster competition. Submissions are due April 1. Image courtesy of Newport Classical

Newport Classical is calling on artists, designers and creatives to submit original artwork for a chance to design the official poster for its 2026 summer music festival.

The organization announced its first-annual poster competition this week, inviting submissions that could become a defining image of the festival season. The winning design will be displayed around Newport to promote the summer festival, featured on the organization’s social media channels and shown at festival concerts in July.

The winner will receive $500.

Participants are encouraged to draw inspiration from Newport Classical’s venues, the Newport area and the live performing arts, while leaving room for their own artistic expression. Submissions must be in .PNG or .JPG format and sized to 6.5 by 9 inches (3,900 by 5,400 pixels). Artists should include a brief description of the work and any inspiration behind it.

All submissions are due April 1 and should be emailed to info@newportclassical.org with the subject line “Poster Competition Submission.” The winning design will be announced May 5.

The 2026 Newport Classical Music Festival is scheduled for July 2-19. The full schedule and lineup will be announced March 24.

Newport Classical has brought world-class musicians to some of Newport’s most iconic venues for more than 56 years, from gilded-age mansions to seaside outdoor stages. The organization is the most active year-round presenter of live performing arts on Aquidneck Island.

More information is available at newportclassical.org/2026-poster-competition.

Ryan Belmore is the owner and publisher of What's Up Newp. He took over the publication in 2012 and has grown it into a three-time Rhode Island Monthly Best Local News Blog (2018, 2019, 2020).

He was named LION Publishers Member of the Year in 2020 and received the Dominique Award from the Arts & Cultural Society of Newport County the same year. He has been awarded grants for investigative and community journalism, and continues to coach and mentor new local news publications nationwide.

Ryan is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, Online News Association, and Local Independent Online News Publishers. He is committed to the codes of ethics of these organizations: accuracy, independence, accountability, and transparency.

In Newport, Ryan served on the boards of the Fort Adams Trust and Potter League for Animals, and hosted a daily radio talk show for four years.

In 2021, Ryan moved to Alexandria, Virginia, to support his wife Jen's career. He launched The Alexandria Brief in 2025, applying what he learned in Newport to a new community. With the help of some talented on-the-ground contributors, he still runs What's Up Newp — and always will.

Contact: ryan@whatsupnewp.com.