Fine Arts

2023 Fine Arts Competition

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The fine arts department of the 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 exhibition. In 2022, a total of 2,227 pieces were submitted, and 338 works were accepted.

• Class 1 – Oil/Acrylic/Mixed Media
• Class 2 – Sculpture
• Class 3 – Watercolor/Gouache/Casein/Tempera
• Class 4 – Drawings/Pastel
• Class 5 – Printmaking
• Class 6 – Ceramics/Glass
• Class 7 – Textiles/Fiber
• Class 8 – Photography

INFORMATION AND RULES FOR ENTRY

REGISTRATION: The fine arts rules and entry information is now available, and registration begins May 1.  Registration is required and must be completed online no later than Monday, July 17, at 4:30 p.m., when registration absolutely closes. UNREGISTERED ENTRIES WILL NOT BE RECEIVED.

Register Online

JURY PROCESS: Jurors will review submitted digital images to determine which works will be in the final exhibition. All decisions will be final. Please take care in photographing your work. The jury will consist of recognized individuals in their respective media. All artists will be notified via email of the decisions of the jurors. PLEASE NOTE: There is one phase of adjudication. Works accepted from the online jury process will be displayed. There will not be a second in-person phase.

SUBMISSION PROCESS: Each entrant is required to submit at least one digital image of their work. Images should be in JPEG format. We recommend the shortest dimension of the submitted image be at least 1,000 pixels. Artists MUST submit AT LEAST ONE DIGITAL IMAGE of the entry. Only one image is required, but entrants are allowed up to THREE total images to present the ONE work. If images of more than one work are submitted, entrant will be disqualified.

• For three dimensional art (generally classes 2, 6, 7), each image may be used to present a different view of the object in space.
• For two dimensional art (generally classes 1, 3, 4, 5, 8), the first image must be a full, frontal view, while the other two may be details of the work.

DIGITAL PROCESS: As digital technology continues to expand and influence the way many artists work, not simply photographers, acceptance of these entries is expanded to all classes. Note that this applies to the finished work itself, not the process of entering the submission. For instance, digitally photographing an oil painting for submission does not constitute ‘digital process.’ However, if an oil painting includes a digitally printed photo as a collage element, that constitutes an element of ‘digital process.’ During registration, for identification purposes and to ensure we are best serving our participants, entrants will be asked to indicate if the submitted work includes digital process, and to describe that element.

WEB PRESENCE: We recommend all artists establish a web presence. Participation in the Fine Arts Exhibition is an opportunity to make a lasting connection with viewers, many of whom might be interested in seeing more work. There are several options for creating a web page to display art and resume information, and many are free (e.g., mnartists.org).

ELIGIBILITY: Original works by living residents of Minnesota executed since Jan. 1, 2021. Work of students is eligible only if executed without the help of the instructor. Works that have been accepted and shown in a previous Minnesota State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition are ineligible. If accepted into the fine arts exhibition, you are required to deliver your artwork to the fairgrounds. You must indicate on your online registration form that you are willing to deliver your piece of art.

NOTE: Students in grades K-12 who are looking to enter artwork and photographs should do so in K-12 competition. Although the fine arts competition is open to any Minnesota artist, regardless of age, it is a highly competitive contest, and we strongly recommend students enter their projects in K-12 competition, where their work will be judged solely against their peers.

Any work accepted in the fine arts competition listed FOR SALE by the exhibitor will be sold as displayed through the Minnesota State Fair Foundation at a 20% commission. All accepted entries will remain on exhibit during the run of the fine arts exhibition, even if sold.

IMPORTANT DATES

All information is subject to change.

May 1: Registration opens.

July 17: Registration deadline at 4:30 p.m.

July 19-23: Jurors will review submitted digital images to determine which works will be delivered for the final exhibition. All artists will be notified via email of the decisions of the jurors on July 24 or 25.

Aug. 5 & 6, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.: Delivery of artwork accepted into the exhibition. Please see the Fine Arts drop-off instructions & map for more info.

Aug. 22, 5-6:30 p.m.: First Glance Event in the Fine Arts Center at the fairgrounds. The Minnesota State Fair Foundation 501(c)(3) hosts the First Glance event to support the future of the arts at the Minnesota State Fair. Purchase tickets at msffoundation.org or call 651-288-4323. All attendees must have a ticket.

Aug. 22, 7-9 p.m.: Free Preview Night in the Fine Arts Center at the fairgrounds – Participating and non-exhibiting artists and their friends are cordially invited to attend the Minnesota State Fair Artists’ Preview. 

Aug. 24 – Sept. 4: Minnesota State Fair

Sept. 5 & 6, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.: Accepted work released from the Fine Arts Center

Congratulations to the 2022 People’s and Kid’s Choice Award winners!

Adults’ Choice: “The Grizzly” by Erik J Fremstad of Victoria, Minn.

Kids’ Choice: “PesCATarian” by Scotty Z of Minnetonka, Minn.

Results:

• 2022 Fine Arts results (PDF)
• Previous years’ results are available in the digital archive.

For further information, please contact competition@mnstatefair.org or 651-288-4417.