National Arts Program® in Delaware
Delaware State Employee Art Exhibition
More than an exhibition, the State Employee Art Exhibition is a celebration of the artistic talent, creativity, and individuality of Delaware state employees and their family members. It offers a meaningful opportunity to share their work, be recognized, and inspire others through the visual arts.
Don’t miss the chance to be recognized in Delaware for your creativity!
Enter your artwork in The Delaware State Employee Art Exhibition. Sponsored by The National Arts Program® in support and cooperation with the State of Delaware and the Delaware Division of the Arts, the exhibit is judged by professional artists and visual art professionals. The Delaware State Employee Art Exhibition is designed to give artists at all skill levels a unique opportunity to exhibit their creative work and to compete for cash prizes.
Important Dates
December 14, 2026
Registration Opens
January 22, 2027
Registration Closes
February 8-12, 2027
Artwork Delivery
February 22 – March 19, 2027
Exhibit Dates
February 22 – March 19, 2027
People’s Choice Voting
March 7, 2027
Reception
March 22-26 and March 29, 2027
Artwork Pick Up
Learn more
Information and Eligibility
Participants must be a current, benefit-eligible employee, or immediate family member of a current, benefit-eligible employee (spouse, parent, sibling, child, grandchild), of the State of Delaware. (Participating Group Members are also eligible.)
All entries must be the original work of the applicant completed within the last three years.
Not accepted: Kits; paint-by-number pieces; photocopies or photographs of artwork; magazine or book illustrations; low resolution photographs and snapshots; artwork entered in previous years.
The National Arts Program and the Delaware Division of the Arts reserve the right to disqualify entries they consider to be unacceptable or inappropriate for a public exhibition.
Limit one artwork per registered artist, no exceptions.
Please read the full submission instructions here: Exhibit Information
Artistic Categories and Accepted Mediums
On behalf of the Delaware Division of the Arts and the Delaware State Arts Council, I want to extend my sincere congratulations and appreciation to all 250 artists who submitted their work for the 14th Annual Delaware State Employee Art Exhibition. Your participation in this showcase is a testament to the incredible creativity that exists within our state workforce, and we are honored to celebrate your talents.
There are five categories related to the judging aspect of this program:
- Amateur: a person 18+ with little or no experience
- Intermediate: a person 18+ with some experience/training, beginning art students, etc.
- Professional: a person 18+ with advanced art training, or employed in an art-related job
- Teen: 13–18 years old
- Youth: 12 years and under
The following artistic mediums are accepted for exhibition:
- Painting (oil, acrylics)
- Works on Paper (watercolor, pencil, ink, charcoal, pastel, marker, crayon, digital, or reproductions of your original work)
- Photography (black & white, color)
- Sculpture
- Craft (ceramics, glasswork, jewelry, woodcarving, fiber, etc.)
- Mixed Media (a work of visual art that combines more than one medium)
Artwork will be judged in the classification of the artist’s selection. However, in some cases, the exhibition judges will make the final determination.
Delivering and Picking Up Your Artwork
Delivering Entries
All entries must be hand delivered to:
Arts Center/Gallery – Delaware State University
1200 N. DuPont Highway, Dover, DE 19901 (302-857-6697)
Drop-off: February 8-12, 2027
Picking up Entries
All entries must be picked up at the Arts Center/Gallery:
Arts Center/Gallery – Delaware State University
1200 N. DuPont Highway, Dover, DE 19901 (302-857-6697)
Artwork not picked up during this time will be donated.
Pick-up: March 23-28, 2026 or March 31, 2026
Visitor Info & Map
Exhibit Dates: February 23 – March 20, 2026
People’s Choice Voting: February 23 – March 20, 2026
Reception: March 8, 2026 from 12-4pm
View the visitor’s guide and map of Delaware State University’s campus.
Previous Exhibitions Archive
View Past Exhibitions
All Competitions
Explore the history of the State Employee Art Exhibition and look back at past shows and celebrate the creativity of Delaware’s state workforce. It’s a great way to revisit memorable exhibitions and see the talent, imagination, and artistic expression that have shaped the program over the years.
Two artists discuss their participation in the State Employee Art Exhibition
Photos by Joe del Tufo, Moonloop Photography