Creative Arts

Winners will not forfeit placing premium with Best of Show or Grand Award. *There must be at least 3 exhibitors in each division in order to award a Best of Show.

Best of Show - $20 and a Rosette per division as Judges deem worthy. There will be up to 16 Best of Show awards available in the Youth division.

Grand Prize Award - $100, Rosette, and an Award will be given to the best exhibit in the entire show, selected from the various Best of Show awards. Selection to be made by the judges and the department supervisor.

People’s Choice - $20 and a Rosette - Voting will take place September 10th through the 13th and the award will be placed on September 14th.

Supervisor’s Choice – a Rosette

1. Entries will not be received in the Fair Office prior to the entry dates unless prior arrangements have been made with the Manager of Competitive Arts Department. . Entries must be taken to the Promontory Building. (exception is mailed entries)
2. Exhibits will not be released prior to release dates.
3. To help maintain fairness and clarity in the judging and display process exhibitors may enter up to four (4) items per Class number, but you may enter multiple classes. If an entry consists of multiple pieces it will be considered a set. Entries consisting of multiple pieces will be judged as a single set. Similar or duplicate items may not be entered in different classes. Exhibits should be entered in the class that best represents the item. Exhibitors who enter multiple items in the same class will receive a premium award only for their highest-placing entry. Additional entries may receive ribbons at the judge’s discretion if deemed worthy.
4. Items made from a kit must be noted and entered into the correct class in their division.
5. Any entry which is to be hung must be securely mounted and ready to be hung with wire or hanger attached by the exhibitor prior to submission.
6. All items entered in Paper Arts must be framed or mounted on foam core board for display.
7. Large exhibit items will be accepted only if there is sufficient exhibit space. Prior arrangement should be made with the Competitive Arts Department manager.
8. No written works – poetry, journals, stories, music, etc. – will be accepted in the Creative Arts Department.
9. The Miscellaneous class in divisions can only be used for an entry which does not, cannot, or will not fit in any other class in that division or in any other division.
10. Every exhibit must remain intact until the specified release dates. Exhibitors are not permitted to remove their entries themselves; assistants will be available for this task. The Fair is not responsible for entries left after release dates.
11. Only items listed in the department classes are eligible for entry.
12. All entries must have been completed within the past two years. Previous Utah State Fair entries will not be accepted.
13. Exhibitors must be legal residents, military or student residents of the State of Utah.
14. All entries must be the work of the exhibitor and shown in his or her name. Original designs should be so labeled.
15. Entries should be labeled with exhibitors Name, email and phone number. Attach it to your entry on the back bottom right corner or underneath.
16. The Supervisor and/or Fair Management reserves the right to refuse entries if they contain objectionable content, are unsuitable for judging or require more space than can be accommodated. No unfinished work will be accepted for entry. All articles must be clean and ready for display.
17. If sending entries by mail or express, address them to: The Utah State Fair, Comp Arts Department 155 N. 1000 W., Salt Lake City, UT 84116. Sender's name and address should be plainly written upon the inside. All packages must be prepaid. Directions for return shipment must be provided. Articles entered will be returned at the expense of the exhibitor. All packages must arrive by August 28th, 2026. All packages must include labeling of items and a copy of online entry form or receipt. Please be sure to label each item per rule #15.
18. Entries that are soiled, covered with pet hair, or emitting unpleasant odor will not be displayed or judged.
19. Items that are framed are allowed, glass is optional. Mounting on a board is preferred due to weight concerns. The Utah State Fair is not responsible for any damage or breakage to frames, glass or framed art entries or exhibits.

1. The judges are instructed to award premiums for entries that are deemed worthy of merit. If no competition exists and an entry is not deemed worthy of first place, the judge may award another placing or no placing at all according to his judgment.
2. All articles entered in any of the miscellaneous classes will be judged against each other and only one first place, one second place, and one third place will be given, if deemed worthy by the judge.
3. Judges will make sure not to award ties in any classes.
4. All judging will be done by a hybrid Danish and American System in each age division and class.
5. The right is reserved to reject any entry deemed unsuitable for exhibition, or infringes on copyright.
6. All articles will be subject to approval before entry by the department supervisor.
7. Any modification of entry rules due to unusual circumstances will be approved only by the Board of Directors.
8. Judging Criteria: Craftsmanship 40%, Creativity 40%, Difficulty 20%

CAP-Professional- Any exhibitor who has attained a high level of proficiency in their field of interest, but also receives monetary compensation. (ex: sells online, in person in a store)

CAA-Adult-Any exhibitor ages 18+ that is not professional

CAS-Senior- Age 65 and Over

CAY-Youth– Age 17 & under

CASA-Special Artist - The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines an individual with a disability as a person who: (1) Has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of that person; (2) Has a record of such an impairment; or (3) Is regarded as having such impairment. The impairment must be relevant to the art style.