Official Contest Rules

• Contest is open to any student enrolled in an Indiana school or home school program during the 2023-2024 school year.
• An entry in any art or essay category must be an original work, created during the current school year by the student submitting the entry. Parental or teacher involvement can only be in support functions such as purchasing materials and assisting with entry submission.
• A student may enter one creative essay and/or one visual arts piece.
• All entries must relate to the theme: “The Art and Nature of Fun.” Entries will be judged on the quality of work and how well the submission portrays the theme through the artistic and creative vision.
• All entries must be submitted online by June 7, 2024.
• Initial submission of all visual arts shall be by digital photos of the piece sent in with the on-line submission form.
• The top 10 submissions for the visual arts contest in each division will be notified via e-mail by July 1. Finalists will be required to submit their original artwork. The original piece must arrive at the Indiana State Fairgrounds by July 19 so that final selections can be made by the panel of judges. Detailed instructions for delivery to the Fairgrounds will be included in the e-mail notification the artist receives.
• Late entries and/or inappropriate drawings, paintings, or essays, as determined by the judging panel and Indiana State Fair Commission designee, will not be considered.
• Entries become property of the Indiana State Fair Commission and sponsoring partners for one year post contest.The artist is responsible for requesting the piece back for their collection.Pieces may be used for education, promotion, or any other purpose by the Commission and/or partner, including but not limited to the posting of the entry on the Commission’s website.Artists and writers will receive credit for work when utilized by making the artists name visible on or nearby the piece.
• The Indiana State Fair Commission reserves the right to cancel the contest at any time.
• Entry must be the original work of the eligible participant. Any plagiarism or failure to identify material that is not the participant’s own work will be grounds for immediate disqualification. Additionally, by entering this contest, a participant represents and warrants that his or her submission is original and does not infringe on the rights or intellectual property claims of any third party or entity and participant also agrees to indemnify and hold Sponsors harmless for any related claims.
• The parties agree that any legal action proceeding or relating to this contest shall be instituted in a state court sitting in Indianapolis, Indiana, which shall be the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of any legal proceedings. Participants hold all responsibility to comply with any applicable federal, state, or local laws in connection with their contest entry or prize winnings.
• Winners shall assume all responsibility for any federal, state or local taxes due in connection with any prizes.
• A copy of these official rules will be posted on the Indiana State Fair Commission’s Education Department website: www.indianastatefair.com. These rules can also be obtained from the Indiana State Fair Commission by sending a self‐addressed stamped envelope to: Indiana State Fair Commission, Attn: Education Department, 2024 Creative Arts and Writing Contest, 1202 E. 38th St., Indianapolis, IN 46205.
• The Indiana State Fair Commission cannot be held responsible for any telecommunications systems, postal malfunctions and/or other submission failures that might impede an entrant’s ability to enter this contest.Lost, late, damaged, undelivered, or illegible entries will not be considered for prizes.
• The winner and their parent/legal guardian must execute appropriate releases before a prize is transferred. If the winner fails to provide proper identification and sign the appropriate releases, or if the announced winner is determined to be an ineligible participant, the Indiana State Fair Commission shall declare the prize forfeited and proceed to choose another winner from the remaining eligible entries.Winners release the Indiana State Fair Commission and any other affiliates from liability for any loss, damage, or claim of property related to the participation in the contest and/or usage of the prize.
• The winning pieces in the visual arts contest will be on display during the 2024 Indiana State Fair and will be retained by the Indiana State Fair Commission and/or partner for up to one year post contest.Artist’s name, age and county will be displayed with the pieces at all times.
• All Creative Essay entries will be printed and displayed during the 2024 Indiana State Fair in a bound book for Indiana State Fair visitors to read.
• An artist or writer shall not put his or her name on the piece, only on the registration form. Each submission will have a number assigned to ensure the integrity of the judging process.
• Questions concerning the 2024 Indiana State Fair Creative Arts and Essay Contest should be sent education@indianastatefair.com.