Arts Cheyenne

"Creating a vibrant community through the arts."

Cheyenne DDA Downtown Banner Program

2026 Artist Open Call

The Cheyenne Downtown Development Authority (DDA) invites artists to help shape the visual identity of Downtown Cheyenne through a new banner series celebrating our community’s heritage.

We are seeking 12 artists to create original banner designs that will be displayed throughout the historic downtown core.

Program Overview

  • Objective: Select 12 artists to each create one banner design for installation in Downtown Cheyenne 
  • Location: Historic Downtown Cheyenne 
  • Compensation: $100 per selected artist 

2026 Timeline

  • Call for Artists Opens: Monday, April 6, 2026 
  • Application Deadline: Monday, May 18, 2026 
  • Jury Review Period: May 18–26, 2026 
  • Artist Notifications: May 26, 2026 
  • Banner Installation: By June 19, 2026

Eligibility

  • Open to artists ages 16 and up 
  • Laramie County artists will be given priority, but all artists are encouraged to apply 
  • The Cheyenne DDA welcomes and encourages submissions from artists of all backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences, including all races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, and abilities

Banner Theme: Heritage Reimagined

Historic Cheyenne meets Vintage Americana

This year’s theme invites artists to creatively blend historic Cheyenne imagery with vintage western Americana aesthetics.

Designs should reflect:

  • Cheyenne’s western heritage 
  • The character of the historic downtown core 

While subtle nods to America’s 250th anniversary are welcome, the goal is to create artwork that feels timeless and place-based, rather than overly patriotic or tied to a single event. 

This approach aims to:

  • Enhance downtown’s visual identity 
  • Foster community pride and artistic expression
  • Celebrate Cheyenne’s role in the broader American story 

Design Requirements

Design Requirements

  • Open to graphic, traditional, or mixed media styles 
  • Collage-style compositions encouraged 
  • Must include at least one historic downtown or rodeo image.
  • The DDA has provided a Google Drive of approved historic photos for artists to use, and applicants are strongly encouraged to select images from this collection.
    • Additional images may be added to this folder by DDA staff as they become available. Artists may use images from other sources; however, all images must be sourced from credible, legally obtained sources. 
    • Additionally, the Leclercq L Jones Collection archives are also available for use.
    • All images must be acquired through legal means to avoid copyright infringement; artists may be asked to provide source information upon request.
  • Incorporate vintage western Americana motifs (e.g., cowboys, cowgirls, boots, etc.) 
  • Maintain a slight patriotic influence, but prioritize a timeless feel
  • No AI-generated artwork will be accepted 
  • No artist logos (artist signatures are allowed)

Technical Specifications

  • Orientation: Vertical 
  • Your artwork will be bordered by the ‘Downtown Cheyenne’ logo and messaging. Check out the graphic above which shows the specific sizing. (Final sizing will be adjusted by DDA staff)
    • Note: There are two banner sizes downtown. We will select which artwork makes sense for what size. Sizes above are for the Artist’s reference when designing.
  • Resolution: 300 dpi

Color Palette

Artists are encouraged (but not required) to consider the following palette:

  • #143840 
  • #C6312F 
  • #3F4834 
  • #E7DBC4 
  • #B6C2D9 

This program is an opportunity to contribute to Cheyenne’s streetscape while celebrating the stories, history, and character that make downtown unique. We look forward to seeing your interpretation of Heritage Reimagined.

Questions? Reach out to Cassidee Raffa, DDA Programs Coordinator at craffa@cheyennecity.org.