2026 GCEC Poster Contest

The theme for this years event is "Green Cincinnati”

Our theme was selected with the goal of raising awareness to the importance of realizing that your actions can have a lasting effect on the environment and benefit your neighborhood's species. Download Flyer Here.

Winner's Prize:

$250 in cash and prizes

Poster will be used as the event poster.

Poster will be used on t-shirts, promotional material, website, and social media sites.

The artist will be recognized on the main stage at the Earth Day Festival!

"Green Cincinnati" is the theme of Earth Day this year. Here are some visual concepts students could use to make a poster

Visual concepts students could use for their Earth Day posters with the theme "Green Cincinnati" from Google Gemini AI “Thalia,” our digital environmental science officer.

The Green Cincinnati Plan actually uses a "Flower Motif" to symbolize the interconnectedness of its 8 Focus Areas. This is a perfect starting point for students: visual systems thinking.

Here are 6 visual concepts derived directly from the GCP's goals, designed to bridge the gap between Knowing (the data) and Feeling (the art), suitable for the "Seeds of Change" or general student posters:

1. The "Sponge City" (Focus Area: Resilience)

The Concept: Illustrate the city not as a hard shell, but as a living sponge that drinks water.

Visual Idea: Split the poster in half. On one side, gray concrete where rain floods the streets. On the other side, a "green street" with rain gardens, permeable pavement, and rain barrels absorbing the storm.

The "Know" Data to Include: "Goal: Create a 'Sponge City' to reduce flooding risks."

2. The Urban Orchard (Focus Area: Food)

The Concept: Visualizing the goal to eliminate food deserts and create food sovereignty.

Visual Idea: A map of a Cincinnati neighborhood where the roads are made of carrot roots and the buildings have rooftop gardens. Show food growing where people live, not just on farms.

The "Know" Data to Include: "100% increase in local food production by 2028."

3. The 40% Canopy (Focus Area: Natural Environment)

The Concept: The GCP has a specific metric for tree coverage: maintaining and expanding a 40% urban tree canopy.

Visual Idea: A "Heat Map" where the cool, shady areas are green trees and the hot areas are red asphalt. Show students planting trees in the red zones to "cool down" the map. This touches on the Equity pillar, as heat islands affect priority communities first.

The "Know" Data to Include: "More Trees = Better Air. Goal: 40% Canopy."

4. The Circular Loop (Focus Area: Zero Waste)

The Concept: Moving away from "trash" to "resources."

Visual Idea: Instead of a trash can, draw an infinity symbol (∞). Show an apple core going into the loop and coming out as soil (compost), or a plastic bottle coming out as a park bench.

The "Know" Data to Include: "Divert 50% of waste from landfills by 2030."

5. The Electric Veins (Focus Area: Mobility)

The Concept: Connecting the city through clean transit.

Visual Idea: Draw Cincinnati like a human body, but the veins are bike paths and Bus Rapid Transit routes. Show that a healthy city needs "clean circulation" just like a healthy body.

The "Know" Data to Include: "Increase public transit passenger miles by 25%."

6. The Building that Breathes (Focus Area: Buildings & Energy)

The Concept: This connects directly to our work with the CAC. Buildings are the biggest source of emissions (66%).

Visual Idea: Draw a house or a skyscraper wearing a winter coat (Insulation/Weatherization) or "inhaling" fresh air through clean vents.

The "Know" Data to Include: "Fixing buildings cuts 66% of our emissions."

Suggestion for the Classroom:
Challenge the students to choose one Fact (The Know) and turn it into one Feeling (The Art). For example, "How do you draw 'Carbon Neutrality by 2050'  so that it looks like a happy future?"

These concepts ensure the posters aren't just pretty pictures, but accurate reflections of the city's actual roadmap.

Tips for Students:

Keep it Simple: A strong, clear message is more impactful than overly complex designs.

Use Bold Colors: Vibrant colors can grab attention and convey energy.

Incorporate Text Effectively: Use a clear font and concise, impactful slogans.

Add a Personal Touch: Encourage students to incorporate their own unique style and perspective.

We hope these ideas inspire students to create powerful and impactful posters for Earth Day!