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NOAA and our partners offer several art contests and campaigns that engage creative minds in Earth science. In honor of Youth Art Month in March, this gallery showcases ocean priorities, marine species, and conservation issues through the eyes of student artists.
Feeling inspired? Consider submitting your own creations and check out our other at-home art activities.
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- UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development: #DrawYourDecade
- Marine Endangered Species Art Contest
- Keep the Sea Free of Debris
- K-12 Marine Art Contest focusing on sanctuary biodiversity
What do you want the ocean to look like in ten years? The #DrawYourDecade social media campaign invites youth around the world to explore this question while engaging in the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development offsite link (2021-2030). This campaign aims to draw out young people’s collective priorities for the next ten years of the ocean to incorporate into the implementation of the UN Ocean Decade. In May 2020, the National Ocean Sciences Bowl offsite link offered a #DrawYourDecade competition, and early-career ocean professionals from NOAA and other organizations selected these top three winners.
Although the National Ocean Sciences Bowl’s competition has closed, young people everywhere are invited to share their vision for advancing the goals of the Ocean Decade offsite link by posting their artwork with the hashtag, #DrawYourDecade.
NOAA Fisheries Greater Atlantic Region encourages artists in kindergarten through grade 12 to celebrate marine endangered species. While the contest focuses on species native to New England and the Mid-Atlantic, students anywhere are welcome to participate. Winning artwork goes on display on the Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office’s website and Facebook page and is featured in an online calendar. Submissions for 2021 are due by email to edith.carson-supino@noaa.gov on Friday, April 23, 2021.
The NOAA Marine Debris Program holds this annual art contest to reach kindergarten through eighth grade students and help raise awareness about marine debris. The winning submissions are featured in a calendar to remind us all that we can be responsible stewards of the ocean every day. The winners of the 2022 calendar will be announced in the spring, and the Marine Debris Art Contest will re-open in fall 2021.
The 2021 Marine Art Contest, co-sponsored by Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary and the Massachusetts Marine Educators offsite link, is now underway. The deadline for online entries is May 7, 2021. With submission topics ranging from tiny plankton to giant whales, students from anywhere in the world are invited to submit artwork that explores the biodiversity of Stellwagen Bank sanctuary. “By learning to appreciate these creatures, we hope it instills a sense of stewardship for the national marine sanctuary and the ocean in general," said Anne Smrcina, Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary education coordinator and marine art contest director. Winning art is posted on the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary website and co-sponsors provide a variety of prizes. See the contest brochure for rules and an entry form or write to stellwagen@noaa.gov for more information.
