A Juried Art Exhibition for 1st – 12th Grade Ohio Youth
Entry Deadline: June 21 at 1 PM | Monetary and In-Kind Awards Offered
Download a printer-friendly version of the Youth Arts Program Book
Awards
Division 2101 — Elementary School (Grades 1 – 4)
| Award
|
Value
|
| 1st Place
|
$75
|
| 2nd Place
|
$50
|
| 3rd Place
|
$25
|
Division 2102 — Middle School (Grades 5 – 8)
| Award
|
Value
|
| 1st Place
|
$100
|
| 2nd Place
|
$75
|
| 3rd Place
|
$50
|
Division 2103 — High School (Grades 9 – 12)
| Award
|
Value
|
| 1st Place
|
$125
|
| 2nd Place
|
$100
|
| 3rd Place
|
$75
|
Additional awards for the Ohio State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition are provided by Ohio arts organizations and individual donors.
Organizations or individuals interested in supporting the Youth Arts at the Ohio State Fair may contact the Arts Director, Heather Belew, at H.Belew@expo.ohio.gov for information on supporter opportunities and benefits.
Important Dates & About
Important Dates
Entry Deadline
June 21 at 1 p.m.
All entry information, payment, and uploaded images must be received by this time. No late entries accepted.
June 30 – Accepted/Declined notification email sent.
Shipped Entry Postmark Deadline
July 11
Entries delivered after July 18 may not be accepted.
Artwork Delivery Dates
Thursday, July 16, 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Friday, July 17, 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Saturday, July 18, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
July 29 – Award Notifications and ceremony details will be emailed.
July 29 – August 9 – Exhibit Open 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. (Closes 6 p.m. Aug. 9th).
Award Ceremony
August 9, 4 – 5 p.m.
Entry Pick-Up
August 10, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Important: If you are unable to pick up your item on the scheduled Pick-Up Day during designated hours, your entry may be held until Thursday, August 13 at 5 p.m., depending on space availability, only if an additional pick-up date and time have been arranged in advance.
You must arrange any additional pick-up date and time with the Youth Arts Coordinator, at YouthArts@expo.ohio.gov prior to Pick-Up Day.
Entries that are not picked up on Pick-Up Day and do not have an approved pickup appointment arranged in advance will be disposed of.
Unclaimed entries will be disposed of or donated.
About The Youth Arts Exhibit at The Ohio State Fair
The Ohio State Fair Youth Arts Exhibition is an annual celebration of the creativity and artistic talent of Ohio youth in grades 1 through 12. This highly anticipated exhibition draws young artists from across the state and features a wide range of art forms, including painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, and mixed media. Together, these works reflect the imagination, skill, and diverse perspectives of Ohio’s emerging artists.
The exhibition provides young artists with the opportunity to present their work in a professional gallery setting and to gain meaningful recognition for their achievements. Entries are evaluated by a panel of experienced artists and educators, who recognize outstanding works through awards and honors. The Youth Arts Exhibition encourages artistic growth, builds confidence, and highlights the importance of creative expression at an early age.
Rules & Requirements
Age Requirement: Artist must currently be enrolled in grades 1 – 12 in an Ohio School.
Residency Requirement: Artist must be a current Ohio Resident.
Grade Level: Artists should enter based on their grade level from the year 2025 – 2026.
County Fairs: Artists entering the Ohio State Fair are not required to win at a county fair prior to entering.
Display Duration: Accepted artworks must remain within the Youth Arts Exhibit after drop-off until the close of the exhibition. Artwork cannot be picked up early.
Entry Limit: There are unlimited entries.
Entry Tags: Instructions to print entry tags will be emailed upon acceptance. Print two tags for each entry accepted into the exhibit; attach one entry tag to the upper right back corner of 2D work, or the bottom/side of 3D work. The second tag will be required at artwork pickup. Artwork will not be released without the entry tag or proof of identity (i.e. driver’s license or student i.d.).
Original Work: Only original artworks may be entered. Reproductions, copies, work that has been created by a commercial mold, art kits by direction, coloring pages, paint by number, or work made by a step-by-step tutorial, are ineligible. Works deemed “unoriginal” by these standards are subject to rejection from the exhibition at the discretion of the Ohio State Fair and are not eligible for refund or negotiation.
- Licensed and copyrighted images are not considered original works and will be disqualified if entered (i.e. popular cartoon characters, scenes from video games, celebrity portraits, etc.).
A.I. Artwork Policy: Entries must primarily showcase the artist’s own skill, craftsmanship, and distinct artistic voice. The use of artificial intelligence tools is permitted only as a supporting element within an artist’s creative workflow and must be clearly disclosed in the medium description during the entry process. Artwork created primarily or entirely through A.I. generation, or entries that fail to accurately disclose or represent the use of A.I. or other media, may be disqualified. Division and eligibility determinations related to A.I. use are final.
Recent Work: Artwork must have been completed in the last school year, and the year completed must be included in the entry information or visibly dated on the front or back of the work.
Re-entry: Artwork previously accepted and displayed in the Ohio State Fair Youth Arts Exhibition in any division may not be re-entered.
Image Selection: Work is first entered as a digital upload. When submitting, it is required that the artist’s name is covered or censored to ensure a blind jury.
Disclaimers
Artwork Condition & Display Requirements: Artwork must meet all criteria for proper display. Artwork that fails to meet condition or display requirements may be rejected at drop-off without refund. Please see the Artwork Display & Installation section for information regarding hanging requirements or special assistance.
Artwork Content: The Ohio State Fair is committed to maintaining a family-friendly atmosphere. Submissions deemed inappropriate or not suitable for all ages, as determined by exhibition staff and directors, may be disqualified. This decision is final and non-negotiable. Disqualified works due to content or other considerations will not have entry or processing fees refunded.
Artwork Placement: The Youth Arts Coordinator will make the final decision regarding placement of artworks.
Entry Fees & Refunds: Unlimited entries. Processing and entry fees will not be refunded if artwork is not accepted, or disqualified.
Insurance: The Ohio State Fair and Expo Center do not offer insurance for artworks in the exhibition. Artists assume all liability.
Juror Selection: Entries will be judged from the uploaded digital images only. Include the best image(s) of the artwork for consideration. Artist names are not permitted on submitted artwork to ensure a blind jury.
Awards: Awards will not be announced until the Awards Notification Email goes out. After this, awards will be posted online to the Ohio State Fair Website.
Award Payments: All entrants must register as a supplier at Ohiopays.ohio.gov to receive payment.
Additional Information: For any information not found in the Program Book, please refer to the Arts General Information and Guidelines or email: YouthArts@expo.ohio.gov
Accessibility
The Ohio State Fair is disability inclusive and welcomes all interested parties to enter competitions at the Ohio State Fair. To request a reasonable accommodation due to disability, please contact Arts Leadership at H.Belew@expo.ohio.gov. Requests made by June 22 will allow us to provide reasonable access, but we will make every effort to meet requests made after that date.
Artwork Display & Installation
These requirements describe the display, size, and eligibility standards for exhibited artwork. Artists should review this section prior to entry to confirm their work can meet these requirements, even if final display preparation will be completed later.
Size and Weight Limits
- Hanging (2D) work may not exceed:
Elementary & Middle School: 36 x 36 inches or 10 lbs.
High School: 48 x 48 inches or 20 lbs.
- 3D installation or sculptural work may not exceed 3 ft x 3 ft x 6 ft or 50 lbs.
Accepted Mediums & Styles
- Accepted mediums include, but are not limited to: Abstract, acrylic, ceramics, charcoal, collage, mixed media, pastels, painting, original cartoon (comic character), painting (tempera, watercolor, oil), pen/ink, graphite pencil, photography, and sculpture.
Display and Hanging Standards
- Wet paint, unfired ceramics, and/or other types of incomplete artwork will not be accepted.
- Hanging work must be wired and ready to display. Poster frames, using mat board or paper for frames, velcro strips, or loose paper will not be accepted.
- Display is part of the presentation of your artwork and is judged accordingly.
- Any artwork on paper or water soluble materials (i.e. charcoal, pastel, pen/ink, pencil, watercolors, Crayola markers, etc.) must be covered by either a protective wrap, glass, or plexiglass to protect the artwork.
- NOTE: Affordable frames and hanging devices can be acquired at reasonable prices from thrift stores, discount stores, liquidation stores, etc. It is highly recommended that you talk with the art teacher at your school about ways to display your art. Some schools also have frames that can be borrowed.
Installation and Special Requirements
- 3D Installation and Sculpture: The Ohio Expo Center will provide pedestals and display cases for the presentation of 3D artwork. If a 3D artwork requires something more than a pedestal to display the work properly (i.e. display easel, specific hanging hardware, etc.), this must be provided at drop-off.
- Special Display Requirements: Any artwork with special hanging or display needs must be dropped off with necessary hardware and detailed written instructions.
Originality and Authorship
- Giclee prints or reproductions of original works are not accepted.
- All ceramic or similar sculptural works must be handmade. Works created using commercial molds are not eligible.
Content and A.I. Compliance
- All artwork must comply with the family-friendly content standards and originality and A.I. disclosure requirements outlined in the General Rules & Requirements and Disclaimers.
Exceptions and Enforcement
- Any deviation from these display or installation requirements must be approved by the Youth Arts Coordinator prior to drop-off.
- Artwork that does not meet these requirements may be rejected at any stage. Entry and processing fees are non-refundable. All decisions are final.
How to Enter
All entries must be submitted online through the ShoWorks system. Artists should review entry requirements and prepare images and artwork information prior to beginning the entry process. Detailed, step-by-step instructions for using ShoWorks are available through the Online Entry Tutorial linked on the entry page.
Account Accuracy Requirements
A valid email address is required for all exhibition communications, including entry confirmation and acceptance or non-acceptance notifications. Artists are responsible for ensuring their email address is entered correctly and for monitoring spam or junk folders. Confirmation and notification emails are sent separately for each entry and may be filtered by some email providers.
Artists must enter both a first and last name in the appropriate fields. If a middle name is included, it must be entered in the first name field following the first name and a comma (for example: First, Middle). Artist names are not visible to jurors during the selection process.
Online Entry System
- Entries must be submitted online through ShoWorks, and a new ShoWorks account is required each year.
- Youth Registration: Entries for children or grandchildren may be assisted by a parent/guardian or submitted by a teacher with guardian permission; however, each youth exhibitor must be registered under their own name. Each sibling must have a separate account, though multiple accounts may use the same email address.
- Why individual exhibitor accounts are required: Each exhibitor is assigned a unique exhibitor number necessary for judging and awards.
- Artists must complete and submit each entry before the posted deadline.
Before You Begin
- Determine how many works you plan to enter.
- Prepare required artwork information (title, size, medium, year completed).
- Prepare digital images that meet the Image Upload Requirements.
- Fees & Payment: Fees must be paid before images can be uploaded. A $5 processing fee applies per artist, with entry fees of $1.50 per entry.
- If submitting as an organizer or teacher for multiple artists, the adult submitting may pay directly, collect fees from guardians, or process payment using a school or district credit card, as permitted by the district.
Submitting Entries
- Follow all prompts in the order provided within ShoWorks.
- Entries are submitted one at a time, with each entry requiring its own image(s) and information.
- Artists may review and edit entries until the deadline closes.
Returning to Your ShoWorks Account
Artists who plan to complete or review entries at a later time should log in using their existing account information prior to the deadline. Once logged in, confirm that the screen displays “Hello (your name)” in the upper right-hand corner to ensure you are in the correct account.
Select “Past Transactions” to view submitted entries and confirm uploaded titles, WEN numbers, and image files.
Artwork Information
- Titles: Titles must match the uploaded images. Titles are visible to jurors.
- Descriptions: Use the description field for materials, process explanations, or required A.I. disclosure. Do not include identifying information.
- Artwork Size: List dimensions using height x width x depth (if applicable) and include units (inches, feet, centimeters, etc.).
Image Upload Requirements
Images must show the artwork clearly against a neutral background, with proper lighting and no shadows. Screenshots showing device borders are not accepted.
- Artist names must not appear on uploaded images to maintain a blind jury.
- Images must be under 8 MB and saved in JPEG, JPG, GIF, BMP, or PNG format.
- Images must not exceed 1024 pixels on the longest side.
- Images must be in RGB color format.
- 2D work: Submit one image per entry.
- 3D work: Multiple images may be submitted to show different views.
- Picture Names: Submitted images must be named after the title of the work it represents.
After Submission
Judging Information
Jurors for this exhibition are selected for their professional experience in the visual arts and their ability to evaluate work across a wide range of styles, media, and approaches. Juror selections are final, except in cases where artwork is rejected at drop-off due to content, display, or eligibility requirements.
When reviewing submissions, jurors will consider the overall artistic merit of each work. Evaluation criteria may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Concept and visual impact
- Craftsmanship and technical execution
- Composition, form, and use of materials
- Presentation and finish
Communication & Notification
- After the jurying process concludes, artists will receive one email per submitted artwork indicating whether the work has been accepted or not accepted into the exhibition.
- Because multiple emails may be generated, artists are encouraged to check spam, junk, or filtered folders (including “Promotions” or “Social” in Gmail). Some email providers may flag a high volume of messages as spam.
- If notification emails have not been received by June 30, artists should contact the Youth Arts Coordinator at YouthArts@expo.ohio.gov and include the registered artist name, WEN number(s), and title(s) of the artwork(s) being referenced.
- Accepted artists will receive a separate email with details regarding the Awards Ceremony.
Delivery Instructions
Kasich Hall Drop-Off Procedures
- Before arrival, be certain you have your entry tag properly attached to each piece, per the instructions in the Rules & Requirements section.
- Identify the Youth Arts Tables and line up behind the area marked with the first letter of your last name. When it is your turn, provide your last name to the attendant for lookup.
- Staff will verify your entry tags, and once all present entries are accounted for, you will sign and date.
Important Traffic Notes
- Most of 17th Avenue will be closed leading up to and during the Fair.
- If using GPS for drop-off or pick-up, it is recommended that you use the address of the Ohio State Highway Patrol Training Academy, located just across Velma Avenue from Kasich Hall.
Ohio State Highway Patrol Training Academy
740 E. 17th Ave.
Columbus, OH 43211
Driving Directions
- Most exhibitors will be directed to the Fairgrounds via I-71.
- Take the exit for 17th Avenue toward the Fairgrounds.
- Use the second lane from the right to take the first right turn.
- Keep to the left-hand lane and continue past the Training Academy parking lot. Do not turn in.
- At the intersection with Velma Avenue, turn left.
- Enter Gate 2 and proceed to the front of Kasich Hall.
- Bring your entries through the center set of doors.
Youth Arts Drop-Off Dates
Thursday, July 16, 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Friday, July 17, 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Saturday, July 18, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Pick-Up Procedures
Pick-Up Date and Time
- Entry pick-up will take place on Monday, August 10, from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Kasich Hall.
- Follow the same driving directions as Drop-Off.
- Artists attending the award ceremony can pick up their entries on Sunday, August 9 between the hours of 5 p.m. – 6 p.m. Tickets must be presented to gain entry to the fairgrounds for the ceremony. Attendees must park in general parking and walk their work back to their vehicle; closer pickup will not be available.
Pick-Up Location and Access
- For the safety of all entries, access to the Exhibits in Kasich Hall B will be controlled at the Check-Out Table.
- Exhibitors will be permitted to enter the exhibit area only when a staff escort is available to walk them to their entries.
Check-Out Process
- Upon arrival, stop at the Youth Arts Check-Out Table and provide your last name and entry tag(s).
- If you do not have your claim ticket(s), you must present a photo ID that matches the name of the entrant.
- If an artist/parent/guardian requests that someone else pick up their items, a written statement of authorization and a copy of the entry tag are required.
- After presenting your claim ticket(s) or photo ID and signing the Check-Out book, please wait until a staff member is available to escort you into the exhibit hall.
Assistance With Removal
- If you anticipate needing assistance carrying your entries, please notify staff in advance so accommodations can be planned.
Late or Alternate Pick-Up
- If you are unable to pick up your entry on August 10 between the listed hours, your entry may be held until Thursday, August 13, at 5:00 p.m., depending on space availability.
- Important: Your entry may be held until Thursday, August 13 at 5 p.m., depending on space availability, only if an additional pick-up date and time have been arranged in advance.
- You must arrange any additional pick-up date and time with the Youth Arts Coordinator at YouthArts@expo.ohio.gov prior to Pick-Up Day.
- Entries that are not picked up on Pick-Up Day and do not have an approved pickup appointment arranged in advance will be disposed of.
- Unclaimed entries will be disposed of or donated.