Expert Overview

International art contest for students aged 11 to 19, run by the nonprofit Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation. Students submit one handmade two-dimensional artwork and an artist’s statement on an annual ocean theme, vouched for by a teacher. Entry is free, and scholarships of $200 to $500 go to the top three in each of two age groups.

Format

Individual

Judging Format

Jurors, Criteria based scoring (Grading Rubric)

Monetary

Grade Eligibility

Rising Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors

Geographic Eligibility

US, International

Discipline

Visual ArtsEnvironmental Science

Entries

900

Percent Awarded

<1%

Important Dates

Registration Opens

August 15, 2026

Registration Deadline

March 1, 2027

Passed

Open

Approaching: < 1 mo.

Priority: < 2 weeks

Urgent: < 1 week

Registration Cost

No entry fee

About

Students enter in an 11 to 14 or 15 to 19 age group with original two-dimensional work in paint, pencil, marker, or similar media; digital art, collage, and AI-generated or enhanced work are not accepted. Each entry needs a statement tying the piece to the theme, two photos of the student making it, and a teacher sponsor who confirms the student’s age. A panel of artists, educators, and scientists scores entries out of 25 across five categories, and semifinalists must mail the original artwork, which is not returned. The Foundation keeps the right to use submitted work in perpetuity.

The Foundation reports thousands of submissions but gives no count, so selectivity cannot be stated. A separate People’s Choice scholarship is decided by Facebook likes, which measures reach rather than merit, so the three judged places carry the signal. Scholarship amounts are small.

A placement shows a student’s artwork was selected by a panel on a conservation theme.