San Francisco Public Library (SFPL) invites Bay Area children's book illustrators to apply for the role of featured artist for its 2027 Summer Stride program. This annual citywide reading and learning initiative, presented in partnership with Mayor Daniel Lurie, the National Park Service and the San Francisco Unified School District, aims to foster literacy and community engagement for all ages.

“For over a decade, SFPL has been proud to bolster the local creative community by featuring a talented artist in our biggest, most exciting literacy initiative,” said City Librarian Michael Lambert. “The art delights thousands of San Franciscans all summer long on citywide ads and our prize tote, as well as at each of our libraries. I’m excited to see the immense talent in this year’s application pool.”

The selected illustrator's work will be prominently displayed on 28 library buildings, bookmobiles, posters, tote bags, public transit advertisements and more. Additionally, the artwork will be featured in a comprehensive digital and social media campaign reaching over 500,000 people. The chosen artist will receive a $5,000 stipend for their work. Previous Summer Stride artists include the 2026 illustrator, Nidhi Chanani; Caldecott Award honoree Shawn Harris; and award-winning, bestselling author and illustrator Christian Robinson.

The artwork should reflect the vibrancy and inclusivity of San Francisco, emphasizing themes such as a love of libraries and reading, the city's diverse community and the exploration of urban landscapes.

Applicants must submit a 500-word artist statement detailing their suitability for the program and experience in the Bay Area, a resume and a portfolio containing 10-12 examples of recent design work, including descriptions of children's books that they illustrated. 

To apply, please complete the artist application form at on.sfpl.org/artist-call by July 13, 2026.