Arts Competitions

2024 Ohio State Fair Poster Competition

The Ohio State Fair poster competition closed on February 16, 2024. Please check back next year for updated information.

Important Dates

Entry form opens – January 3
Entry form closes – February 16
Winners notified – early May

Eligibility

The Ohio State Fair Poster Contest is open to Ohio residents only, age 18 and older. Employees (permanent, contract, and/or seasonal) of the Ohio State Fair/Ohio Expositions Commission are not eligible to enter.

Guidelines and Selection Criteria

Both professional and amateur artists are permitted to enter.
Must be a resident of Ohio.
Must be 18 years old.
One entry per person.
Artwork must be family friendly.
Artwork must be related to the Ohio State Fair.
The Fair dates (July 24 – Aug. 4, 2024) and words Ohio State Fair must be included.
Traditional and digital art accepted.
Size guidelines 24 inches x 36 inches/2:3 aspect ratio. Portrait orientation required.
Must be able to be reproduced and must be scalable to standard poster or postcard size.
All entries must be submitted electronically. Submissions must be high-quality digital photographs or images of your poster. .JPGs and .PDFs are acceptable.
Winner must submit original piece of art to be displayed at the 2024 Ohio State Fair.

Awards

Top 5 entries will be recognized.
Grand Champion will receive:
- $1,000
- Ribbon
- Social media recognition
- Coordinated opportunities with local media as available
- Daily access to the Ohio State Fair and tickets for family

Entrant Acknowledgment

Artists entering competition agree to follow the guidelines and rules set forth by the Ohio Expositions Commission. Winners must recognize that they must submit their original piece of art to be displayed at the 2024 Ohio State Fair. Artists recognize that the Ohio State Fair retains all rights to the submitted artwork.

Terms and Conditions for Grand Champion

Upon award, the chosen artist will be required to execute an agreement with the Ohio Expositions Commission setting forth the terms and conditions. The artist will retain copyright, but full ownership of the finished selection will be transferred to the Ohio Expositions Commission. The Ohio Expositions Commission retains the right to reproduce the original artwork for sale in various forms including, but not limited to, postcards and other merchandise. The artwork can also be used as marketing and promotional material for the Ohio State Fair.

Get involved in the arts at the Ohio State Fair.

The Ohio State Fair offers an expansive arts competition split between Fine Arts, Creative Arts, and Youth Arts. From competing, to purchasing art, to admiring the pieces, every fairgoer has the opportunity to immerse themselves in a wide variety of different art forms.

Competition entries will open in April
Click below to learn more about each competition, categories, classes, important dates, and information on how to enter.

View 2024 Ohio State Fair Arts Important Dates

Are you interested in supporting the arts at the Ohio State Fair? We appreciate the support received from businesses, guilds, groups, individuals, and other organizations that are interested in helping us promote the arts at the Ohio State Fair. Each supporter receives benefits, based on their level of support. Please contact Special Events Director, Alissa Belna-Muhlenkamp at a.belna-muhlenkamp@expo.ohio.gov for more information.