Call for projects organizer
Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Programs is a Boston-based nonprofit with a mission to empower teens to protect the ocean and to make art that makes a difference.
Description
This year’s theme is Ocean Pollution: Challenges & Solutions.It’s easy to become discouraged when you think about the challenges facing our ocean ecosystems. Ocean pollution, in particular, is an ever-increasing global concern that threatens marine life, our environment, the economy, and human health.
Yet there have been many inspiring conservation stories and ocean “wins” in the last year: cities implementing plastic bag bans; governments establishing new Marine Protected Areas; and the rise of citizens and businesses embracing zero-waste mentalities. Optimism is contagious, and sharing messages of hope around the world has never been easier than in this digitally connected age. Let’s ride the wave of #OceanOptimism, and think creatively about how our ocean-loving community – from K to gray – can turn the tide of global ocean pollution.
At Bow Seat, we recognize the power of our young ocean caretakers, an our goal is to inspire them to lead the way to finding innovative solutions to ocean pollution. We want you to #BeTheChange. You may choose to focus your work on one type of pollution, or the impact of ocean pollution as a whole. Whichever way you choose, we want your submission – visual art, poetry, prose, or film – to make viewers reflect on the impact of ocean pollution, inspire them to consider possible solutions, and challenge them to take action.
We encourage you to connect your submission to your own life, your local community, or something else that inspires and motivates you. Some questions that you might consider as you work on your submission are:
- Who is to “blame” for ocean pollution? What are the sources of ocean pollution?
- Who – and what – is impacted by ocean pollution?
- How does ocean pollution at one end of the world affect the other end?
- What innovative solutions have been created or proposed to address different types of ocean pollution? What challenges do these innovations face to widespread implementation?
- How should scientists, designers, and policy-makers work together to address ocean pollution issues? How do local communities take part? How do individuals play a role? What role do you play?
- What is the first step to raising awareness about ocean pollution?
- How does meaningful change happen?
- What does the future ocean look like to you?
categories
ART
All visual interpretations of the theme are welcome in this category, including painting, drawing, prints, digital art, sculpture, photography, and much more.
POETRY
All pieces of written and spoken poetry which interpret the prompt are acceptable in this category, whether just a single poem or a collection.
PROSE
All forms of written interpretations of the theme (except poetry) are acceptable in this category. Feel free to write fiction, nonfiction, personal memoirs, analytical essays, nature writing, political advocacy, op-eds or news articles, or any other form of prose.
Rewards
Gold Award Grades 9-12
$1 500Gold Award Grades 6-8
$1 000Silver Award Grades 9-12
$1 000Silver Award Grades 6-8
$750Bronze Award Grades 9-12
$500Bronze Award Grades 6-8
$250Gold Award winner's school Grades 9-12
$1 500Gold Award winner's school Grades 6-8
$750Timeline
America/New_York
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