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.
Junior Division
Senior Division
Gold Award
$1,000
$1,500
Silver Award
$750
$1,000
Bronze Award
$250
$500
Pearl Award
$150
$300
Honorable Mention
$50
$100
Additional Contest Awards Available in 2022

Check back to learn about new additional awards that may be offered in 2022!

Student Artist: Jada Mensah
Student Artist: Jada Mensah
We All Rise Prize

As part of Bow Seat’s long-term effort to engage more youth of color in environmental advocacy—particularly those who have been the most affected but historically underrepresented in ocean conservation efforts—we sponsor the We All Rise Prize, awards totaling $15,000 specifically for youth in the U.S. who self-identify as Black, Indigenous, or Latina/o/e.

Ten $750 awards in both the Junior Division (ages 11-14) and Senior Division (ages 15-18)—a total of 20 awards—will be offered to students in the U.S. who identify as Black, Indigenous, or Latina/o/e in the 2022 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—in 2020, they made up 45% of our participants—compared to under 20% for those identifying as Black, Indigenous, and Latina/o/e combined. That’s why we’re making a concerted effort to engage these demographic groups, especially since their voices are generally underrepresented in the environmental sphere.

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 two spoken word poetry submissions with Voice of the Sea Awards at the Gold-level in each age division: one $1,000 award for a Junior submission, and one $1,500 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 $250 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 $250 cash award.

More Information >

South Coast, Cape & Islands Award (Massachusetts students only)

Thanks to the generosity of the Island Foundation—which is committed to the conservation of marine and coastal resources in southeastern Massachusetts—we will be offering two $250 cash awards in each age division to Ocean Awareness Contest participants who reside on the South Coast of Massachusetts, Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, or Nantucket.

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 climate and ocean 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 2022 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