Expert Overview

The Ocean Awareness Contest, run by the nonprofit Bow Seat: Creative Action for Conservation, is a free international competition for students ages 11-18 responding to an annual ocean and climate theme through art, writing, film, music, or interactive media. It has engaged more than 38,000 students worldwide and awards cash prizes up to $1,000 per category.

Format

Individual, Team

Judging Format

Jurors, Criteria based: How well submissions address the annual theme; Demonstration of artistic voice, originality, and imagination; Craftsmanship, including quality, technique, and skill in chosen medium; attention to detail; and accuracy of communicating issues

Monetary

Grade Eligibility

Rising Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors

Geographic Eligibility

US, International

Discipline

Creative WritingArtPoetryFilm

Entries

6,383

Percent Awarded

Important Dates

Contest Deadline

June 8, 2026

Passed

Open

Approaching: < 1 mo.

Priority: < 2 weeks

Urgent: < 1 week

Registration Cost

No entry fee

About

Students enter Junior (ages 11-14) or Senior (15-18) divisions across seven categories, alone or in groups of any size, naming an adult sponsor. Each entry includes a short written reflection. AI-generated work means disqualification. At least three anonymous judges review entries across three rounds, scoring theme alignment, artistic voice, craftsmanship, and category requirements.

Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Honorable Mention winners in each category receive unrestricted cash, from $1,000 down to $50, with special $500 awards for spoken word and for U.S. Black, Indigenous, and Latine youth. Bow Seat may use submitted work in any media. With free entry and paid honorable mentions, recognition signals creative engagement with a conservation theme more than competitive selectivity.

The contest suits a student who already makes art, writing, film, or music and wants to aim that work at ocean and climate themes, with a short reflection as the chief extra step.