Competition Overview
Ocean Awareness Contest
The Ocean Awareness Contest is an annual international competition organized by Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Programs. It encourages students to explore and address environmental issues through various forms of art and creative expression, fostering a deeper understanding of the ocean and its critical role in the global ecosystem.
Eligibility
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Can participate as an individual or as a club, class, or group of any size
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Must provide the contact information for an Adult Sponsor (teacher, parent, mentor, etc.)
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Students who have started college or university are not eligible to participate in the Contest.
Group Division
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Junior: Open to students ages 11-14
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Senior: Open to students ages 15-18
Subject Categories
Participants can submit entries in the following categories:
Visual Art: Handcrafted
Visual Art: Digital
Poetry & Spoken Word
Creative Writing
Film
Performing
Arts
Interactive & Multimedia
Competition Topic
2025 Theme
Connections to Nature: Looking Inside, Going Outside
We challenge you to dive into this year’s theme and explore your connection to the natural world through the lenses of:
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Generational Knowledge
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Concrete Jungle
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Resilience
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Healthy Environments, Healthy Humans
Requirements
Guidelines
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Submit handcrafted visual art only (e.g. drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics, fashion, mixed media, film, etc)
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Digital art must go under Visual Art: Digital
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AI-generated work is strictly prohibited and will result in disqualification
Citation & Originality
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Credit all inspirations and sources (any citation style)
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Do not copy, trace, or claim another artist’s work as your own
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Public domain or copyright-free images must be properly cited
File Format & Submission
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Accepted file types: JPG, PNG, GIF, PDF
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Submit up to 3 high-res images (different angles or details)
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Images must be clear, aligned, and well-lit
Additional Requirements
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Progress Photo: Include a photo of the artist or process (for verification only)
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Reflection Statement:100–300 word artist’s statement submitted separately
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Encouraged: Learn from environmental artists while maintaining originality
Prizes
Awards are given in each category and age division: