Everything you need to enter the 2026 Florida State Fair Art Portfolio Contest for High School Seniors.
2026 High School Senior Art Portfolio Competition Information
The Art Portfolio Contest for High School Seniors is the highlight of the Fair’s Youth Art Competitions. Over 400 students apply for just 32 spots in our exhibition each year, with the chance to win scholarship money for continuing art education.
This year, we are fortunate to have the Florida Dairy Farmers as our sponsor. Florida’s dairy farmers work hard every day to provide the delicious and nutritious dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt that fuel creative young minds.
$10,000 in scholarship money will be awarded this year!
- First Place: $3,000
- Second Place: $2,000
- 10 Awards of Merit: $500 each
Resources
How to Create a Digital Portfolio for Juries
2025 Wall of Excellence Winners
How to Enter
Entering the Creative Living Competitions is quick and easy!
Choose a Competition
There are over 25 major categories to choose from ranging from Baking to Quilting to Legos to Aquariums. As well as 100’s of divisions and classes to compete.
Ways to Compete
Each competition handbook has a variety of categories to choose from.
Read the handbook before you enter online for the competition. We cannot stress this enough. It is important before you enter online that you know what division and class you are entering for each entry. The online entry form does not provide the details and information that are in the handbooks. Each Competition has a different size and number of entry limitations, as well as other specific instructions.
Entry Forms can be found in the back of each handbook and can be mailed to Creative Living at:
Creative Living Competitions
Florida State Fair
P.O. Box 11766
Tampa, FL 33680
Make checks payable to: Florida State Fair Authority
Drop off your Entries at the Florida State Fairgrounds
Most entries (except baked goods) are brought to the Fairgrounds prior to opening day (Mid-January to early February). See exact dates and times in the Competition Handbook.
Entries can also be shipped – Click here for Shipping Form.
See your entry on display during the run of the Fair from February 5-16, 2026. All entries will be displayed in the Florida Center Building at the Fair whether they receive an award or not.
Pick up your entry
Exhibitors will pick up their entries after the Fair. See exact dates and times in each Competition Handbook.
Group Application
If you are part of a guild, club, organization or school you may want to compete at the Fair. We can help to coordinate the Entry form and Entry delivery process. We want to make it easier for you to participate in Creative Living Competitions. To be sent the group entry form, Please email creativeliving@floridastatefair.com