Iowa State Fair Statewide Art Contest and Exhibition Guidelines

Contest and Exhibition Guidelines

Themes

Iowans are encouraged to create and submit original artworks responding to America’s 250th anniversary. In considering what the idea and story of America means to you; here are a few thematic areas that you may connect your artwork to:

• Creativity and Innovation: Creativity and innovation are deeply ingrained in America’s and Iowa’s character, from the innovation of our agricultural producers, manufacturers and start-up businesses, to the ingenuity of teachers, craftspeople, and everyday Iowans. How do you see this unique spirit of creativity and innovation reflected in your own school, neighborhood, or community?

• People: Many Iowans have contributed to making Iowa and America what it is today. From Indigenous Iowans and early settlers who cultivated the land and agriculture, to groundbreaking artists, scientists, and athletes, Iowa continues to play a leading role in shaping our nation’s past and future. Are there Iowans and Americans who have particularly inspired you in your life?

• Places and Events: America’s story is one of many places and events that reflect the rich tapestry of our nation's history and culture. Are there pivotal places, events, or moments that connect Iowa to the nation’s broader story?

• America’s Founding Principles: America’s founding principles of Equality, Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness provide an enduring foundation for our country and state. From patriotic traditions to the diverse stories of people from different backgrounds, cultures, and generations, how do you see America’s founding ideals reflected in your community?

Jurying and Prizes

Jurying

All eligible entries will be reviewed by a panel of jurors. Entries will be reviewed and scored for artistic creativity, originality, and relation to the theme, as follows:

• The artwork demonstrates the entrant’s creative and expressive ideas.

• The artwork is original in concept, design, and execution

• The artwork symbolically or representationally evokes the contest's themes.

Prizes

A People’s Choice Prize ($500) will be awarded in both the Student and Adult Divisions.

Merit Awards (selected by jurors):

• Adult Division: First Place ($500); Second Place ($300); Third Place ($150).

• Student Division: For each age range, jurors will award First Place ($500); Second Place ($300); Third Place ($150).

Entry Requirements - All Divisions

Artwork Type and Media

Artwork must be two-dimensional. Accepted mediums include:

• Paintings: oil, acrylics, watercolor, etc.

• Drawings: colored pencil, pencil, ink, marker, pastels, charcoal (charcoal and pastels must be fixed.)

• Collages

• Prints: lithographs, silkscreen, block prints

• Mixed Media: use of more than two mediums such as pencil, ink, watercolor, etc.

• Photography

• Digital Media and Illustration (must utilize original means)

Submission Requirements and Scoring Rubric

The scoring rubric will be used by the jury to evaluate submissions. The following submission requirements are provided for reference only. Applicants must review and complete the application in the SlideRoom portal. Each component of the application has criteria and corresponding point values to ensure a fair review process. The scoring rubric is on a scale of 15 points.

Narrative Question

Describe the artistic work submitted for consideration and the inspiration for the work. Include how the piece connects to the America 250 theme.

All eligible entries will be reviewed by a panel of jurors. Entries will be reviewed and scored for artistic creativity, originality, and relation to the theme, as follows:

• The artwork demonstrates the entrant’s creative and expressive ideas.

• The artwork is original in concept, design, and execution

• The artwork symbolically or representationally evokes the contest's themes.

Originality

Artwork must be the work of an individual entrant and must be original in concept, design, and execution. Additionally, entrants should note the following:

• Copyright Restrictions: Any entry that includes copyrighted imagery or has been copied from an existing photo or image (including a painting, graphic, or advertisement) that was created by someone other than the entrant is a violation of the contest rules and will not be accepted. For more information on copyright laws, we recommend you visit the Scholastic website.

• Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): Artwork that is "purely AI-generated" or simply based on a text prompt(s) is not eligible for submission. AI-assisted work, where AI is used as a tool to enhance human expression, must include a list of AI tools used, a description of the creative process, and the extent of human input. For photography, AI may only be used as a filter capacity when applying it to an image that was taken on a camera

• Suitability for General Audience: Entries will be reviewed according to suitability for a general audience at the Iowa State Fair. The contest organizers reserve the right not to include any artworks.

Number of Entries

• Student Division

  • Students may submit one entry for consideration.

  • Note for school districts with multiple elementary, middle or high school buildings: the total number of artworks selected for display may be capped at the organizers’ discretion to ensure statewide representation.

  • The contest organizers will prioritize geographic distribution and representation from across the state in the final exhibition display. Exhibition space is limited.

• Adult Division

  • Artists may submit up to three (3) entries for jurying.

  • As the Adult Division is expected to be highly competitive and space is limited, entrants are not guaranteed to have an entry selected for display.

Artwork Size and Media

• Student Division

  • Artwork must be two-dimensional and should be unframed. Artworks can be matted (not required) but must mounted on a stable material that can be mounted to a wall.

  • Painting, drawing, prints, and mixed-media media: Artwork may be a maximum size of 11”x17” inches. 

  • Photographs may be a maximum size of 8”x10”.

• Adult Division

  • Artwork must be two-dimensional and may be framed or unframed but should be ready for installation (mounting hardware attached to artwork).

  • Artwork can be no larger than 24 inches high x 24 inches wide.

Exhibition Calendar I Delivery and Pick-Up Dates

No artworks will be released until 7:00 P.M. on Sunday, August 23, 2026.

Liability

The Management will use diligence in caring for the safety of entries after their arrival and placement, but in no case will they be responsible for any loss or damage that may occur before, during or after the Fair.

After September 4, all unclaimed items become the property of the Iowa State Fair and will be disposed of as deemed necessary.

Online Entry Instructions

Online Submission

Entries must be submitted via the Iowa Arts Council’s Slideroom by June 1, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Applications will not be accepted in any other format. Late, incomplete or ineligible applications cannot be accepted.

Applicants must create a login to view the full application requirements for the program. Applicants can visit the SlideRoom Applicant Help Center for assistance related to the online submission.

Consent and Release Form

The entry form includes a Consent and Release Form. The form must be signed by all entrants at the time of submission. A parent/legal guardian must sign for any student entrant under 18.

Application

The application form requires a short description of the image. Include a description with each image, including:

• Artwork title

• Artwork size

About the Iowa State Fair

The internationally acclaimed Iowa State Fair is the single largest event in the state of Iowa and one of the oldest and largest agricultural and industrial expositions in the country. Annually attracting more than a million people from all over the world, the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines

is Iowa’s great celebration, a salute to the state’s best in agriculture, industry, entertainment and achievement.