Ocean Awareness Contest
Hosted by Bow Seat, the Ocean Awareness Contest provides a platform for young people to understand environmental issues through artistic creation and creative thoughts, explore their relationship with the changing world, and become advocates of positive change.
Interested in the competition?
Competition Overview
11-18 years old
Eligibility
Free
Entry fee
June 8, 2026
Submission deadline
November 2026
Results and winners are notified
Competition Details
1. Eligibility
This competition is open to students ages 11-18 who are enrolled in middle school or high school (or the homeschool equivalent) worldwide. Students ages 11-14 may enter the Junior Division. Students ages 15-18 may enter the Senior Division.
2. Theme
The theme for the 2026 Ocean Awareness Competition is “Your Story, Our Ocean: How Our Ocean Sustains, Protects, and Inspires Us.” Teens worldwide are invited to explore their personal connection to the ocean. Participants are encouraged to reflect on how the ocean sustains, protects, and inspires them, whether through food, climate, culture, or creativity, and express their stories through art, writing, film, performance, or multimedia.
3. Competition Category
Visual Art: Handcrafted, Visual Art: Digital, Poetry & Spoken Word, Creative Writing, Film, Performing Arts: Music & Dance, Interactive & Multimedia.
4. Results
The contest winners will be announced in November. Winners and their sponsors will be notified via email before we announce the results publicly.
5. Prizes
Cash awards are presented to the Junior and Senior Divisions winners across five categories.
- Gold Award: $1,000
- Silver Award: $750
- Bronze Award: $500
- Pearl Award: $250
- Distinguished Honorable Mention: $100
- Honorable Mention: $100
Ocean Awareness Contest Past Winning Submissions
Submission Details
1. Category Submission Limit
Students may submit one entry per category, meaning that you may enter up to seven pieces, one in each category. If you submit more than one entry in a category (for example, two poems), additional entries will not be counted or judged.
2. Written Reflection
In addition to the essay submission, students are required to submit a reflection. Your reflection, which is a minimum of 100 words and a maximum of 300 words, should describe 1) your creative process and 2) what you have learned through your exploration of the theme. Use the following questions to guide your writing:
- How did you come up with the idea for your piece?
- What inspired your work and creative process?
- How does being creative make you feel?
- Why did you choose the medium (oil paint, charcoal, ballet, film, pop music, etc.) you did? How have you engaged with this medium in the past?
- What have you learned through your exploration of the Contest theme, Your Story, Our Ocean: How Our Ocean Sustains, Protects, and Inspires Us?
- What is your message to viewers of your artwork?
3. Submission Checklist
- Contact information
- Your submission with a title
- Your written reflection
- Works cited (if applicable): List of sources for any ideas, quotes, or facts used that are not your own
- Contact information for an adult sponsor (required for all participants)
- Parent/guardian consent (required if under 13 years old).
Frequently Asked Questions
The use of AI-generators, like ChatGPT or DALL-E, is considered plagiarism. Any participant who submits AI-generated work will be disqualified and their sponsor will be notified.
Your submission must be in English. However, students are allowed to submit a Film or Performing Arts in any language but have to include English subtitles in the video.
Bow Seat judges are artists, writers, educators, scientists, creators, activists, and ocean-lovers, along with former Ocean Awareness Contest winners as Alumni Judges.
