The National Endowment for the Arts is taking part in the Great American State Fair June 25 through July 10, 2026, on the National Mall in Washington, DC, with sixteen days of performances, exhibits, and interactive programming to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary. The agency will present daily programming on the Legacy Stage and in the American Canvas Pavilion, featuring dancers, musicians, and artists from communities nationwide.
Mary Anne Carter, chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, said the agency is proud to present performances by local artists from across the country to a broader audience at the Great American State Fair. Programming at the Legacy Stage is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities, with performance schedules available on a rolling basis at arts.gov leading up to the event.
What Will Visitors Experience at the Fair?
The Great American State Fair will showcase performances celebrating the rich history, culture, and heritage of the arts across all U.S. states and territories. The agency has created daily programming at two primary venues: the Legacy Stage and the American Canvas Pavilion. Both locations will operate throughout the sixteen-day event.
In addition to performances, the National Endowment for the Arts has created the Passport to America, a free interactive activity that encourages attendees to collect passport stamps at different fair pavilions while discovering the stories and creativity that make individual states and territories distinctive. Attendees can pick up their free copy of the Passport to America at the Legacy Stage and American Canvas Pavilion.
How Does This Fit Into the Semiquincentennial Celebration?
The National Endowment for the Arts has been a key partner in plans leading up to the celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary for several years. The agency serves as an Ex-Officio member of the America250 Commission and is part of the Freedom 250 Network, the public-private partnership leading the national anniversary celebration.
Through its grantmaking, national initiatives, and partnerships with state arts agencies, the National Endowment for the Arts is supporting more than 1,350 arts activities tied to the semiquincentennial in communities around the nation. The agency’s work amplifies the importance of arts and culture to the nation’s past, present, and future.
The Great American State Fair represents one of the most visible public-facing initiatives in this broader portfolio. For more information on how to attend the Great American State Fair, the public can visit Freedom250.org.
Why Arts and Culture Matter to the Anniversary
Established by Congress in 1965, the National Endowment for the Arts is an independent federal agency and the largest funder of the arts and arts education in the United States. The agency’s participation in the Great American State Fair positions arts and culture as central to understanding American identity and history.
By bringing together performers and artists from diverse communities across all states and territories, the programming illustrates the breadth of American creative expression. The sixteen-day event on the National Mall provides a national platform for artists who typically perform at the local or regional level.
The public can learn more about the work of the National Endowment for the Arts at the American Canvas Pavilion during the fair or by visiting arts.gov. More information on how the agency is marking the nation’s 250th birthday is available at arts.gov/initiatives/celebrating-americas-250th-anniversary.
The Great American State Fair runs through July 10, 2026, offering daily opportunities to experience performances, collect passport stamps, and explore the role of arts and culture in American communities.
