The 12th annual Ocean Awareness Contest is now open for application, which is a platform for young people to learn about environmental issues through art-making and creative communication, explore their relationship to a changing world, and become advocates for positive change.
The 2023 Ocean Awareness Contest – Climate Heroes in Action – encourages students to learn about both climate change and solutions to the climate crisis. Bow Seat wants to celebrate the work of countless everyday heroes fighting to make the world more habitable and just in the face of human-induced climate change. These heroes are leading with determination, resolve, and even joy to create a better world for all.
Climate change impacts the oceans in a multitude of ways: extreme weather events, unprecedented coral bleaching, and rising sea levels, to name a few. As oceans play a critical role in regulating our climate and act as a buffer to protect us from global warming, the health of our oceans is tied to human health, whether lived on the coast or hundreds of miles inland.
The media – whether a newspaper, broadcast or TikTok – tends to focus on the negative. These stories get clicks and attract interest. Though climate change is the greatest threat that our blue planet is facing right now, it is easy to doomscroll through this bad news and miss optimistic stories. There are reasons to feel hope for the future.
Scientists, activists, artists, and educators are creating radical and innovative solutions in response to these environmental threats. Their work is far-reaching and impactful but is often not covered in mainstream news. It’s easier to see a positive path forward when people understand the steps that people are already taking to get them there. Recognizing, uplifting, and celebrating the works allows people to imagine a better world and inspires them to take action.
Bow Seat provides an innovative space for teens to connect, create, and communicate for our ocean. Working at the intersection of ocean science and arts education, our award-winning programming emphasizes creative thinking and making in exploring the natural world.
Benefits
- Cash awards of up to $1,500!
- The opportunity of gaining knowledge about climate change and its relationship to and impact on the ocean.
- The opportunity of growing skills in communication, critical thinking, creativity, and environmental advocacy.
- The opportunity to build a portfolio and make art in the preferred medium, or practice a new one!
- The opportunity to Showcasing talents worldwide, through art exhibitions, publications, social media campaigns, and scholarships.
- Networking opportunity with Bow Seat’s global community of nearly 30,000 young people who care about the ocean, environmental justice, and climate action.
- Being eligible for special opportunities, like the Future Blue Youth Council.
- The probable opportunity of serving as Bow Seat interns and Contest judges.
Eligibilities
- Must be a middle or high school student.
- The junior division is students of ages 11-14.
- The senior division is students of Ages 15-18.
- The competition is open to students all over the world.
Application Process
- Students must create an account and submit their work through our online system available at the apply link.
- Applicants will have to choose an inspirational scientist, activist, artist, educator, or other heroes who is working to solve climate change issues and create a piece of art, writing, or media that highlights their efforts, organizations, and/or positive impacts.
- Students can submit their work in the following categories:
- Visual Art,
- Poetry & Spoken Word,
- Creative Writing,
- Film,
- Performing Arts: Music & Dance, and
- Interactive & Multimedia.
- A written reflection is required to accompany the submission.
Note:
- Students may submit one entry per category.
Application Deadline: June 14, 2023
Application ClosedOfficial link
