Making Waves Through the Arts

Bow Seat provides an innovative space for teens to connect, create, and communicate for our blue planet. Working at the intersection of ocean science and arts education, our award-winning programming emphasizes creative thinking and making in exploring the natural world. Our flagship educational initiative, the Ocean Awareness Contest, is the world’s largest environmental youth program for the creative arts.

Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Programs, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Massachusetts, USA. (Tax ID: 47-2904502)

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Giving a Voice to the Oceans

In 2011, founder Linda Cabot and her daughters embarked on a journey to film a documentary—From the Bow Seat—about environmental issues impacting the Gulf of Maine. The act of making a film and creating artwork engaged and empowered them in a way that articles, textbooks, and lectures alone could not. Harnessing the power of the arts to educate, inspire, and activate younger generations, Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Programs is committed to spreading a global message of care.

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Creativity in Conservation

Through art exhibitions, publications, and scholarships, Bow Seat uplifts diverse youth voices to advance dialogue and participation in environmental conservation. We empower young thinkers and creators to be active and empathetic global citizens, starting in their local communities and watersheds.

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Art as Activism

The annual Ocean Awareness Contest invites youth from around the world to explore—through visual art, creative writing, film, performing arts, and multimedia—how humans’ actions impact the health of our blue planet. Submissions become part of a growing collection of student work that is helping to raise awareness of the climate crisis, inspire protection for our oceans, and imagine a better future.

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