News
TARC and Portland Museum seek students for 26th annual Design-a-Bus contest
November 18, 2025In partnership with the Portland Museum, this year’s art theme is “Portals of Transition.”
LOUISVILLE, KY. (November 18, 2025) — TARC and the Portland Museum are calling for submissions to the 26th annual Design-a-Bus contest!
Local students are invited to submit artwork focused on the theme, “Portals of Transition.” This year, students are being asked to reflect on a period of change, where you explored or tried something new, and create an illustration of that experience.
The theme celebrates a year of new beginnings for both TARC and the Portland Museum. In 2026, the Portland Museum will be opening their AHOY (Adventure House of You), an immersive addition to their museum. Also in August of 2026, TARC will be launching our New TARC Network. Through the New TARC Network, the Portland Museum will have increased TARC access with improved 30-minute service available along the new Route #5.
The 10 winning submissions by students will be featured on a custom TARC bus wrap reflecting this year’s theme and partner. The 10 winners, their adult guests, and the student’s teacher will be invited to the debut of the bus as it first begins service in the Spring of 2026. It will continue to operate on all TARC routes, and serve as the flagship bus for special events, and parades throughout the Louisville metro region for one full year.
“The Portland Museum is growing, and so is our sense of adventure,” said Katy Delahanty, Executive Director of the Portland Museum. “Through our partnership with TARC, each bus becomes a traveling invitation, a portal to play carrying the spirit of the new AHOY Children’s Museum into every neighborhood. Adventure on the move.”
“The Design-a-Bus is a contest TARC staff and our city look forward to every year,” said Ozzy Gibson, Executive Director of TARC. “We’re excited for a great partnership with the Portland Museum as they expand, with Route #5 of the New TARC Network providing increased access to their new addition.”
This year’s entry deadline is Friday, March 13, 2026. Please submit artwork and complete the entry form online at https://www.ridetarc.org/student-entry-form/. For questions or additional information email designabus@ridetarc.org.
The Design-a-Bus contest is open to all elementary, middle, and high school students in Jefferson, Oldham and Bullitt counties in Kentucky, and Floyd and Clark counties in Southern Indiana.
Entries should be in marker, crayon, or paint and be square (equal size width and length), ideally 8” by 8” or 11” by 11” on white paper, or created digitally with the same dimensions, and submitted as a JPG, PNG or PDF file. Entries will be judged on visual appeal, creativity, originality, and message. All artwork is to be produced by the student only. AI generated artwork is not allowed.
About the Portland Museum
The Portland Museum celebrates Louisville’s Portland neighborhood’s rich cultural narrative through the power of art, culture, and community. We inspire creativity and neighborhood pride through engaging artistic experiences that promote exploration and play. Our community-led programming connects diverse groups to foster cross-cultural understanding. The Museum’s collections and exhibits educate visitors about our community’s history and traditions while bridging the 9th Street divide and making our city whole again. Our goal is to create an inclusive cultural hub that enriches the lives of all who call Portland home, through the transformative power of art. Learn more at portlandky.org
About TARC
TARC (Transit Authority of River City) delivers transportation services to the Greater Louisville community. With 50 years of safe, reliable, and accessible service in the region, TARC and our team of more than 600 employees and contractors connect residents and visitors to the region with a diverse fleet operating across 24 routes in Greater Louisville and Southern Indiana.
Learn more at ridetarc.org