Ocean Awareness Contest Awards

Cash awards are presented to winners in all of the categories at both the Junior and Senior Division levels. There are no requirements for what you must do with your cash award; we hope that you will use it to further your passion for the environment and your creative talent.

.

We All Rise Prize

As part of Bow Seat’s long-term effort to increase the diversity of our program participants, we sponsor the We All Rise Prize, awards totaling $5,000 specifically for youth in the U.S. who self-identify as Black, Indigenous, and/or Latine.

Five $500 awards in both the Junior Division (ages 11-14) and Senior Division (ages 15-18)—a total of 10 awards—will be offered to students in the U.S. who identify as Black, Indigenous, and/or Latine in the Ocean Awareness Contest, and whose entries demonstrate notable artistic achievement in their chosen category. Cash awards are not restricted and can be used for tuition, art supplies, or personal expenses. Select winning artwork will also be featured in promotional materials for the following year’s We All Rise Prize.

Bow Seat has historically had awesome participation from students who identify as Asian and Pacific Islander—in 2022, they made up 50% of our participants—compared to 16% for those identifying as Black, Indigenous, and Latine combined. That’s why we’re making a concerted effort to engage these demographic groups.

Voice of the Sea Award

In Partnership with Poet/activist/educator Tayllor Johnson

As the Ocean Awareness Contest has grown over the years, young artists have continued to push the boundaries of our categories in ways that have intrigued and moved us. The Voice of the Sea Award was inspired by receiving a growing number of spoken word poems—pieces that truly came alive through performance. To celebrate this powerful mode of expression, Bow Seat recognizes one spoken word poetry submission with Voice of the Sea Awards in each age division: one $500 award for a Junior submission, and one $500 award for a Senior submission. Entries must follow the requirements for submitting in the Poetry & Spoken Word category.

Bay State Award (Massachusetts students only)

All Ocean Awareness Contest participants who reside in Massachusetts will be automatically considered for the Bay State Award, a special recognition to celebrate the creative young artists, thinkers, and activists in our home state! From the Housatonic River to the Quabbin Reservoir to the Atlantic Ocean, water connects us all and plays a wicked important role in the Commonwealth’s economy, culture, and health of our human and non-human residents. Up to 3 winners in each age division will each receive a $100 cash award.

Hometown Award (Boston, Massachusetts students only)

This award recognizes talented students in Bow Seat’s hometown of Boston, Massachusetts. Eligible participants must demonstrate financial need. Up to 3 winners in each age division will each receive a $100 cash award.

More Information >

Publishing, Art Exhibitions, and Special Opportunities

As a winner, you may have a special opportunity to showcase your talents worldwide while raising awareness of environmental issues to a broader community. Bow Seat organizes art exhibitions, pop-up shows, and social media campaigns; curates anthologies of art and poetry; finds opportunities to publish student writing; and showcases all winning student work in our online gallery. As part of Bow Seat’s student art collection, your creative piece will help to educate and inspire audiences to take action!

Upcoming Events & Exhibits
Awards for Educators

If you are a teacher or youth program coordinator who uses the 2025 Contest in your physical or remote classroom, we want to hear from you! Bow Seat grants Educator Innovation Awards to acknowledge the efforts of individuals who are teaching students about ocean issues and empowering them to be creative stewards of our blue planet. Educators can nominate themselves or a colleague.

Learn More