2026 Ocean Awareness Contest: Your Story, Our Ocean
2026 Ocean Awareness Contest: Your Story, Our Ocean is now open for entries!
The 2026 Ocean Awareness Contest, “Your Story, Our Ocean“, encourages students to to explore the many ways our ocean sustains, protects, and inspires us.
Short description
The 2026 Ocean Awareness Contest, “Your Story, Our Ocean“, encourages students to to explore the many ways our ocean sustains, protects, and inspires us.
Bow Seat this time invite you to think about your personal connection to the ocean – whether you’re coastal or landlocked – through the value it brings to your life. The benefits of the ocean are widespread and multifaceted, from food production to climate regulation to artistic inspiration. How does the ocean sustain, protect, and inspire you?
You are invited to submit works of visual art, creative writing, poetry, spoken word, music, dance, film, and multimedia.
Entries must be submitted in English or have an English translation in order to be considered for judging. Videos may be in other languages with English subtitles.
Bow Seat judges are artists, writers, teachers, scientists, and ocean-lovers.
Judges consider:
➜ How well submissions address the annual theme of the Contest;
➜ Demonstration of artistic voice, originality, and imagination;
➜ Craftsmanship, including
➜ If a submission meets category requirements (such as length, file type, etc.).
The 2026 Contest winners will be announced in late November 2026.
Who may enter?
This contest is open to students ages 11-18 who are enrolled in middle school or high school (or the homeschool equivalent) worldwide. Proof of age, identity, or eligibility may be required. Entries may be submitted by an individual or group of unlimited size.
Prize:
Gold, Silver and Bronze Award winners, as well as Honorable Mention winners will be announced in each contest division. Several other special awards will be announced as well.
Entry fees:
There is no entry fee to participate!
