MARCH 22, 2026 — The Texas-based organization Juneteenth Houston has announced an open call for artists to design a new official flag for the Juneteenth holiday.
According to their website, while Juneteenth became a United States federal holiday in 2021, it was celebrated primarily in Texas for over a century following General Order No. 3, which was read in Galveston on June 19, 1865, to proclaim the end of enslavement in the state.
Organizers maintain that while they acknowledge the existing Juneteenth flag (pictured) created by Boston-based activist Ben Haith, they “firmly believe that much like the observance itself, its definitive symbols should proudly emanate from Texas.”
The competition is restricted to artists residing in Texas and seeks a visual representation of the legacy of the 250,000 formerly enslaved individuals in the state.
According to the contest brief, the design must be a flat, scalable image measuring 3 feet by 5 feet, utilizing solid colours without gradients, shadows, or text. The organization emphasizes a desire for a symbol that reflects the historical “Jubilee spirit” of early celebrations in Houston’s Freedmen’s Town and Emancipation Park.
Submissions, which must include a written rationale and both colour and monochrome versions of the design, are being accepted through the official Juneteenth Houston website until April 3.
Following the submission deadline, a panel comprising academic, artistic, and advocacy leaders will review the entries to select three finalists. These designs will be put to a public vote on the organization’s website and social media channels from April 12 to April 18.
The winning artist will receive a $2,500 honorarium and a framed physical copy of their flag. The finalized design is scheduled to be unveiled at the Annual Celebrate Freedom Festival, where it will be integrated into the city’s official commemorative merchandise and media platforms.
