It’s once again time to set sail for creativity as the 2024 North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA) Student Art Contest is open for applications.
Students looking to showcase their artistic talents and heighten awareness of the marine environment are encouraged to take part in the annual contest, which is co-sponsored by the Coast Guard and Inter-American Committee on Ports of the Organization of the American States (CIP-OAS).
Who qualifies: You must be in Grades K-12 and live in the Americas or the Caribbean. Students beyond the Americas are welcome to participate if they have an active duty Coast Guard parent.
This year’s theme: "Navigating the Future of Safety and Sustainability."
Students are challenged to create an original poster depicting the relationship between maritime safety, technological innovation, and environmental sustainability in the preservation of the marine environment. Some topics to explore:
- Safety in innovation
- The connection between maritime safety and environmental stewardship
- The inclusion of diverse populations within the maritime community
Deadline: All artwork must be submitted here by May 3, 2024, at 11:59 PM EDT.
Judging criteria: Entries will be evaluated based on:
- Interpretation and clarity of the theme
- Creativity and originality
- Quality of artistic composition
- Overall impression of the artwork
All submissions must adhere to NAMEPA's guidelines. You can find more information on guidelines, including artwork specifications and how to submit the artwork here.
To view the winners of previous years’ art contests, please visit the Student Art Contest Winners Page
Recognition: Judges will select 12 finalists (six from grades K–5 and six from grades 6–12) who will be notified by July 1, 2024. Two of the finalists (one from each grade category) will be deemed grand prize-winners.
- All winning artworks will be featured on the NAMEPA, Coast Guard, and CIP-OAS websites, as well as published in a 12-month calendar that will be printed in English and Spanish.
- All finalists will receive a certificate and a calendar with all their artwork included.
- The two grand prize-winning finalists will receive a $100 cash prize from NAMEPA and a Coast Guard prize package, in addition to the certificate and calendar.
“The Coast Guard is pleased to partner with NAMEPA,” said Edward Stoker, the service’s National Pie Program Manager. “Together we are reaching students and introducing them to marine science and conservation. The art contest is one of the many ways we are developing future leaders through STEAM – Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math.”
Parents of students and school teachers interested in learning more about the annual student art contest, including contest rules, how to enter, and artwork specifications, can visit the NAMEPA ART Contest Page and contact their local CG PIE Program Coordinator or the National PIE Program Manager Edward Stoker via email at Edward.A.Stoker@uscg.mil.
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