Posters will be on display during USCM’s 94th Annual Meeting in Long Beach, California
Long Beach, California – This week, the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) will unveil a collection of new artwork from the Freedom 250 City Art Poster Project at USCM’s 94th Annual Meeting in Long Beach, California. The group of 28 city posters tell the story of the nation’s 250th anniversary through the eyes, voices, and lived experiences of local artists, who responded to a nationwide invitation to mayors and communities. The work will be on display for the duration of the Meeting, which is being held at the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center from June 4 – 7, 2026. Communities can still submit a poster for this project through November 6, 2026.
The featured artists in the collection run the gamut. They include kindergarten through sixth-grade students in a Raleigh afterschool program; a ninth grader in Fresno who created an American flag from 169 photographs she took of her hometown; an artist-educator in Columbia, Missouri; a craftswoman in Portland; a novelist-poet in Central New York; and a painter in New Jersey, the daughter of a World War II veteran. See here for some examples.
“The Freedom 250 City Art Poster Project represents the very best of public art made by communities, for communities,” said USCM CEO and Executive Director Tom Cochran. “As we mark 250 years of independence, this collection reminds us that America’s story is woven through its cities and still being written by its next generation.”
“It is inspiring to see our nation’s communities reflected through the eyes of its artists,” said National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Mary Anne Carter. “The wide variety of themes and artistic styles of these posters reflect the unique qualities of each city and are a wonderful way of celebrating this important milestone in our nation’s history.”
The posters, representing the role of cities as engines of ingenuity, illustrate America’s highest shared ideals. They include:
- Local Identity as American Identity: Cities frame the American story through their own landmarks, traditions, and people.
- History and Hope: A recurring concept is that America 250 is not only about remembering the past but also imagining the future.
- Youth Voice and Civic Pride: Several cities elevated youth artists and collaborative youth-created works.
- A Mosaic of Cultures: Many posters define American patriotism through multiculturalism, immigration, and inclusion.
- Healing, Resilience, and Community Strength: Several posters reference community recovery after tragedy, a reminder that civic art can hold grief, memory, and hope at the same time.
The Freedom 250 City Art Poster Project, delivered through a longstanding NEA–USCM leadership initiative, is part of the broader Freedom 250 Network, the public-private partnership leading the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration. The U.S. Conference of Mayors is proud to support this collaboration as cities across the country mark this historic milestone.
Submit a Poster: Artwork for this initiative is still being accepted and artists of all ages and backgrounds are encouraged to submit their work. More information can be found HERE. Those selected will be part of the Freedom 250 City Art Poster display during USCM’s 95th Winter Meeting in Washington, DC in January 2027.
Note to Media: Members of the media can register for USCM’s 94th Annual Meeting HERE. On-site registration will be available with current press credentials. All business/day-time sessions are open to the press unless otherwise indicated, and all evening events are closed to the press. For interview opportunities or additional context on submissions, please contact Sara Durr at sdurr@usmayors.org.