Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Contest

The 2026 Ocean Awareness Contest Your Story, Our Ocean encourages you to explore the many ways our ocean sustains, protects, and inspires us. We invite you to think about your personal connection to the ocean whether you’re coastal or landlocked – through the value it brings to your life. The benefits of the ocean are widespread and multifaceted, from food production to climate regulation to artistic inspiration. Go through the sub-themes and explore the topics that resonate with you. Share how the ocean has shaped your story through art, writing, performance, film, or multimedia. How does the ocean sustain, protect, and inspire you?

A NEW CHALLENGE

The ocean has always been central to Bow Seat’s mission. Since the first Ocean Awareness Contest in 2012, we’ve asked students to explore ocean-related issues like marine species conservation, plastic pollution, and climate change. As our organization continues to evolve in new and exciting ways, we wanted to return to the topic that has captivated, moved, and activated tens of thousands of students who have participated in the Contest: the ocean! What value does the ocean bring to all of our lives? We’ve learned about the challenges that threaten the ocean, but why is it so important that we protect it?

We challenge you to dive into this year’s theme by exploring how the ocean sustains, protects, and inspires you and your community. We hope that these prompts serve as jumping-off points, guiding you toward further exploration! Be sure to check out our past winners and explore our broader Resource Studio for ideas and guidance.

Our Resource Studio is a unique space for creative exploration and a jumping-off point for deep inquiry into climate change, ocean conservation, and using art and creativity as tools in environmental movements.

Who May Enter

Students ages 11-18 from around the world are invited to participate in the Ocean Awareness Contest. Enter the division based on your age at the time of entry:

Junior Division: Age 11-14

Senior Division: Age 15-18

Students can participate as an individual or as a club, class, or group of any size. All students must provide the contact information for an Adult Sponsor (teacher, parent, mentor, etc.) Students who have started college or university are not eligible to participate in the Contest.

Submissions are accepted in:

• Visual Art: Handcrafted
• Visual Art: Digital
• Poetry & Spoken Word
• Creative Writing
• Film
• Performing Arts: Music & Dance
• Interactive & Multimedia

Please review all submission requirements carefully.

Why participate?

• Join Bow Seat’s global movement of over 42,000 young creatives who care about the ocean, environmental justice, and climate action, and contribute to the largest youth environmental arts collection in the world.
• Gain knowledge about environmental issues, nature, and your relationship with the world around you. Dive into Bow Seat’s Resource Studio to learn more about the issues; find artists and organizations taking action to protect our blue planet; and discover ways that you can get involved.
• Grow your skills in communication, critical thinking, creativity, and environmental advocacy. Use your artwork to raise awareness for critical environmental issues.
• Build your portfolio and make art in your preferred medium, or practice a new one! Add to your resume with a participation certificate.
• Showcase your talents worldwide. Through art exhibitions, publications, social media campaigns, and scholarships, Bow Seat uplifts diverse youth voices to advance dialogue and participation in environmental conservation and advocacy.
• Be eligible for special opportunities, like the Future Blue Youth Council. Past program participants also serve as Bow Seat interns and Contest judges!
• Earn cash awards of up to $1,000!