State Fairs are known for funnel cakes and corn dogs; however, they can also be a Great Art Opportunity for self-taught and beginning artists to get their feet wet in a friendly, albeit competitive, arena. But professionals and seasoned artists shouldn’t overlook the opportunity to win cash prizes and sell work at their local State Fair.
This is the 2010 State Fair update.
By the way, if you are new to the state fair scene, you should look for keywords like “exhibits,” “competitions” and “premiums” or “premium book” on the fair websites.
Here are the 50 State Fairs in alphabetical order by state–yes, all 50 of them are here.
Don’t forget to have fried Twinkie for me!
1. The Greater Gulf State Fair (Alabama) is typically held in late October. The competitive exhibits include everything from digital photography to duct tape art.
2. Alaska State Fair home of record-setting giant vegetables and beautiful flower gardens–and art, of course. Artwork will be judged on design, composition, originality, creativity color saturation, lighting, contrast emotional response, technical expertise and craftsmanship. Entries in the Professional Division are also judged on presentation. Don’t forget to enter the bee keeping contest too!
3. Arizona State Fair reflects the rich history of Arizona and spans three centuries as a showcase for statewide talent. ASF also hosts a popular All Indian Rodeo. Of course, no fair would be complete without art. All traditional media and some mixed media are allowed with the exception of computer generated art, photographic prints, copies and color copies. Click here beginning in July of each year for competitive exhibits info.
4. Arkansas State Fair is also an October affair. If you aren’t prepared to compete to be the Rodeo Queen, make sure you enter one of this fair’s photography contests.
5. California State Fair hosts unique and world-renowned competitions showcasing a variety of industries, including those that extend far beyond agriculture. Thousands of awards are bestowed annually in categories such as fine arts, culinary, youth, technology and more.
6. Colorado State Fair provides an unmatched opportunity for both Emerging Artists/Students and Professional Artists from mission of “Quality, Quantity & Diversity.” Click Here for more information about fine arts competition.
7. Connecticut does not have a “State” Fair; however, Connecticut artists are even luckier…they have over 40 local fairs from which to choose. Check out this map of Connecticut fairs to find the one closest to you!
8. Delaware State Fair has hosted a wide variety of exhibits and contests. You’ll find categories from Abstract Art to Zinnias and everything in between represented at the Delaware State Fair. Held in July, entry into the Fine Arts Competition is only open to amateurs (defined as someone who does not derive an income from or teach the media of the category entered).
9. Florida State Fair is held in February, and residents can compete in more than two dozen categories including fine art, photography, sewing and needlework, various artisan crafts, including woodcarving, and horticulture. There’s even a wine-making competition and a high school art exhibition and competition. Find a category and enter today for your chance to win an award or gain a few fans…and don’t forget the fair food!
10. Georgia National Fair is held in October each year and has a full program of both Home Arts and Fine Arts Competition and even Artists in Residence. You can download the Premium Book and browse all of their competition information on their website GeorgiaNationalFair.com.
11. Hawaii State Fair was officially 50 years old as of 2009; but, information about art is missing from their website. It is in May each year…so we have almost a year to figure it out again. Someone please Email me if you have any information.
12. Western Idaho Fair walk began with agricultural exhibits. Now you can walk through the exhibit halls to see the most creative things, from fine arts to blown glass, fancy wine to fine embroidery. Learn how you can enter.
13. Illinois State Fair offers competitive exhibits in Painting, Watercolor, Drawing and Graphics, Ceramics, Textiles, Enamels, Glass, Wood, Photography and even Digital Imagery (which they define as photography or drawings that have been manipulated by use of a computer program). Click here for details about how to enter the Illinois State Fair Art Competition.
14. Indiana State Fair is held in early August and offers competitive exhibits in a full gamut of fine art from painting to fiber art and computer generated work. The fine arts department seeks to recognize sincerity, honesty, quality and originality.
15. Iowa State Fair accepts art entries from artists 3 years and older. The fine arts competition accepts work in a range of media including a themed photography exhibit. Cash awards range from $50 Honorable Mentions to $500 Best of Show. Unlike many fairs where you have to bring your work for the jury process, starting in 2010, the Iowa State Fair will be jurying from .jpgs. 
16. Kansas State Fair art competition has both an amateur and professional division, and the duct tape competition is open to everyone…so no excuses! Accepted media for professional fine arts include: paintings and drawings, hand-pulled prints, photography, sculpture and plein aire. Check the site often for updates.
17. Kentucky State Fair offers competition for everyone, and with thousands of competitive entry categories in everything from homemade pies to ugly lamps, and of course fine art. Visitors are sure to find a category that fits their talent–from goats to gauche.
18. Louisiana State Fair offers categories in standard painting, drawing and photography for the adult classes and cool youth division categories including footwear and recycled art. Check out all of the competitive exhibits!
19. Bangor State Fair (Maine) only offers a photography contest for amateurs; however, an amateur is defined as one who earns less than half his/her income as a photographer. That includes a large number of you out there. This fair boasts record-breaking crowds due to the pay one price ticketing in 2009.
20. Maryland State Fair offers opportunities for people of all ages to enter their most prized items, whatever they may be. This year offers a fresh crop of categories including cartoon art, miniatures, and state-themed photography. Follow the Maryland State Fair on Twitter for the latest updates!
21. The Big E (Eastern States Exposition) is held in West Springfield and functions as Massachusetts’ State Fair. The Big E offers a variety of department competitions including several fiber arts categories, photography and the 2009 addition of of the Trashionista Recycled Fashion competition.
22. Michigan State Fair The nations oldest state fair and one of Michigan’s most treasured traditions is in danger of being “blown away”. Established in 1849, the Michigan State Fair was over 160 years old when an ill considered decision was made to stop holding the annual state fair. If you would like to learn more about how to help rescue the Michigan State Fair, click here.
23. Minnesota State Fair presents an annual art exhibition that is the result of a juried competition. Participation is open to all living residents of Minnesota, and each may submit one work for consideration. Only those works selected by the jurors are displayed in the Fine Arts Center during the State Fair. In 2008, a total of 2,400 pieces were submitted, and 385 works were accepted.
24. Mississippi State Fair offers a fine art and student art competition during this October Fair; however, the details are sketchy. Mississippi artists, email me the details, and I’ll update the post!
25. Missouri State Fair accepts works in all media for fine arts competition in both adult and junior categories. China painters and photographers have separate opportunities in addition to the Missouri Top 50.
26. Montana State Fair. Masters, amateurs and youth are invited to exhibit their creations. The Creative Arts Department features a variety of craft related skills. Artistic folks can exhibit paintings, bronzes and more in Fine Arts. Hand weaving and Spinning features woven products. There is a photography exhibit for the camera buffs.
27. Nebraska State Fair offers a fine arts competition for painting, drawing, clay, glass and more…even comic book art. Monetary awards were small in 2009; however, special awards like $100 Cheap Joe’s gift certificates sweetened the pot. For more information about competitions at the Nebraska State Fair, visit their competition downloads page.
28. Nevada State Fair is open to amateurs and professionals with categories including acrylics, oils, watercolors, pastels, charcoal, china painting and stained glass. A Profession is limited to 4 entries and is defined as any person who sells the work from the event in which they are participating, teaches others for profit or who makes up 50% or more of their yearly income from art sales. Follow the NSF on Facebook!
29. New Hampshire does not have a “State Fair,” per se; however, the state is alive with fairs throughout the year. Find a full list of NH fairs here. The Sandwich Fair, held in October, offers competitive exhibits in the categories of Painting, Drawing, Print & Mixed Media, and Sculpture–as well as Landscape, Still Life and Portraits in any media.
30. New Jersey State Fair offers competition in the categories of Oils, Acrylics, Pastels, Graphics, Watercolor, Sculpture and Photography. If none of those suit your fancy, don’t forget the Polka Dancing Competition!
31. New Mexico State Fair is also known as Expo New Mexico. Do you whip up a mean Spam casserole? Zealous about your zucchini? Proud of your petunias? Do you create art that is simply alluring? Why not be a part of the competition at the New Mexico State Fair? With several departments and categories in which to compete, there’s something for everyone.
32. The Great New York State Fair is an exciting mix of big-name entertainment, mouth-watering food, captivating exhibits and thrilling attractions that draws nearly 1 million people every summer. It is your invitation to a 12-day celebration of the very best in New York State agriculture, commerce, education, art and music.
33. North Carolina State Fair offers the standard art exhibits in addition to the Web & Graphic Design Competition. Now in its 16th year, the Design Contest challenges Internet-savvy artists to use the N.C. State Fair as the subject of graphic and Web page designs.
34. North Dakota State Fair has a full range of competition in Fine Arts from painting and sculpture to taxidermy. This fair is held in July, so bookmark the competition link for next year!
35. Ohio State Fair proudly states it’s mission is “to attract a variety of Ohio artists providing the opportunity to exhibit and receive awards and recognition, encourage innovation in the arts and expose the community to one of Ohio’s greatest assets, its artists.” And, they put their money where their mouths are… Amateur Best of Show wins $1,000 while Professional Best of Show wins $2,000. In addition, OSF has a Patron Purchase Award Program which is designed to provide new and established collectors of Ohio artworks a unique opportunity to add to their collections.
36. Oklahoma State Fair is held in September. Every year, the Creative Arts Program showcases the talents of Oklahomans in most media. The “other” category leaves it wide open for all of you with a weird streak, and photographers have their own competition broken down by subject matter: nature, action, scenic, flower, geometric or abstract patterns, portraits, people, computer generated graphics, pets, computer enhanced photo, twilight/night photos, landscape, and the Oklahoma State Fair Theme.
37. Oregon State Fair features the All-Oregon Art Annual categories include Professional Art, Amateur Art, Student and Youth Art, Juried, Non-Juried and Student Calligraphy. Deadlines are in June of each year. For more information or questions please email or call (503) 947-3260.
38. Pennsylvania is another of those states that doesn’t have a “State” fair; however, the Pennsylvania State Association of County Fairs boasts more than 100 members. Here is a list of Pennsylvania fairs in alphabetical order. If you have been to a Pennsylvania fair with a thriving arts competition, email me so I can update this post. And, if you are the first one to send me a picture of your artwork that you entered into the county fair, I will replace the question mark with your work if it is spectacular.
39. The Washington County Fair (Rhode Island) is the largest fair in Rhode Island and features competitive opportunities in ceramics, photography, and painting. Visit the Washington County Fair competition page for a full list of categories…and please don’t forget to eat a candied apple (or two) and some cotton candy for me.
40. South Carolina State Fair is typically held in October of each year. The SC State Fair supports the arts with higher dollar prize amounts unlike almost any other fair in the country except for Ohio. The SC State Fair also has a Patron Purchase Program which allows collectors and fair sponsors the opportunity to purchase work. I have both entered the SC State Fair and won a prize or two at this the fair…sign up for the newsletter today.
41. South Dakota State Fair sponsors competition and pays premiums for drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, china painting, mixed media and graphic arts. I know the arts exist at the SD State Fair because I found the 2008 results on-line; however, I cannot find the premium book for art this year. This fair website is difficult to figure out for art entry purposes. Save this SDSF link for later and let me know if you find more direct information by emailing me!
42. Tennessee Valley Fair is the fair of my home state and is being held now (September). This state fair has the quaint feeling of a county fair but stretches out farther than the eye would lead you to believe. The arts competition doesn’t pay high premiums but does cover a variety of media including: Oil or acrylic, Watercolor, Pastel, or colored pencils, Graphic prints, line drawings, silk screen, etchings, engravings, pen and ink with color, Mixed Media, Sculpture (not to exceed 8″ in any direction), Computer Generated Art, Cartoons, Miniatures (oil, watercolor, pastel or graphic), Glass, Ceramics, Pottery, Photography and more. Sign up for updates from the TN Valley Fair.
43. The State Fair of Texas is held in October of each year to beat the Texas heat. The Art Department is open to amateurs only, and all art must have been completed within the year prior to entry. Works from teachers and professional artists are acceptable if they do not earn $2,000 of their income from the sale of their art. The same restriction applies to photography.
44. The Utah State Fair is also ongoing (September). You can register to received email newsletters regarding next year’s fair at the top right of any page on their website. The US Fair offers competitive opportunities in Fine Arts and Photography for both professionals and amateurs with cash awards ranging from $30 to $225.
45. Vermont State Fair offers exhibit opportunities in Art and Photography. However, all information I can find indicates that Art is limited to paintings. So, if you are not a painter or photographer, groom your goat or shine your tractor for exhibit. Check the VSF Exhibit page for all the possibilities.
46. The State Fair of Virginia offers the best of Virginia! Go see Virginia’s finest animals and agriculture, exhibits and shows, toe-tappin’ music,
fine arts and crafts, blue ribbon competitions and more–an annual traditions since 1854. Visit the website for information on the NEW LOCATION! Check the competitor’s page for categories.
47. Evergreen State Fair (Washington) features competition in Fine Arts and Photography featuring special categories for less-common fair departments like textiles and found-object assemblage. Yeah!
48. West Virginia State Fair was reported by me last year as not having Fine Arts competition. I don’t know if I just missed it last year, but this year when searching for updates, I found the Fine Arts category nestled inside the Home Arts category. Take a look!
49. Wisconsin State Fair offers competition in textiles (quilts and clothing) as well as photography, but only for amateurs. Premiums are small, but these opportunities are often about keeping you motivated & showing…and don’t forget the cheese!
50. Wyoming State Fair offers competition opportunities in the media of painting, drawing, mixed media and photography, and competition is open to Wyoming, Western Nebraska and Western South Dakota residents for these categories. How unusual! Don’t forget to enter the “Best Beef Picture” Contest.
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