2023 RCE Youth Art Challenge

Calling all young eco-artists! We’re looking for your creative works of art which demonstrate how you or your local community is working to achieve sustainable consumption and production.

The Global RCE Service Centre at the United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS), in partnership with UNESCO, is now accepting submissions for the RCE Youth Art Challenge: From Waste to Art. The challenge is open to anyone aged 35 or younger worldwide.

This is an opportunity to create artwork to inspire others around the world to use resources more efficiently, reduce waste, and ultimately shift to sustainable consumption and production.

Entries should show the actions you or your local community are taking, with a focus on SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).  

Any art medium can be utilised – some ideas are paintings, drawings, photos, sketches, digital art, sculptures, handicrafts, murals – the list is endless! As for materials, we’d love to see your creativity, such as using locally sourced waste (e.g. e-waste, plastic, paper, etc).

All submissions should be static (no animations) and limited to one frame/image of the artwork. In addition to the artwork, you will be asked to include a title and short statement (maximum 100 words) to explain your submission. You may also include a video (with no audio) of the final product or work in progress if you wish (this step is optional).

Submissions will be evaluated across the following age categories:

  • 15 years and under
  • 16-25 years
  • 26-35 years

This is your chance to present your creative piece to people all around the globe, and contribute to inspiring others to take action towards the SDGs!

Online submission must be done via the Submission Form by 15 August, 2023 (11:59pm JST). **Entries are now closed. Thank you to all for your submissions.**

 


DETAILS

Objectives

  • Bring awareness to the challenges faced due to global waste and unsustainable production and consumption patterns.
  • Provide perspectives from youth on why it is crucial to adopt sustainable practices.
  • Bring about understanding on how action can be taken via ESD towards achieving the SDGs, in particular in relation to addressing sustainable consumption and production.

Eligibility
Submissions must meet the following criteria:

  • Participants must be aged 35 or younger by 15 August, 2023.
  • Entries are limited to three (3) entries per participant.
  • The artwork must not have previously been submitted for another contest.
  • The artwork must be the participant’s original work, and cannot incorporate symbols, images, or other works under copyright, which include logos of brands and characters.
  • Corporations are ineligible for this contest.

Submission Criteria
Participants meeting the above-mentioned eligibility criteria must also meet the following submission criteria:

  • Submissions can take the form of any type of artwork (e.g. photos, drawings, paintings, sketches, murals, or other), however all submissions must be static (no animations) and limited to one frame.
  • Submissions should be in a landscape orientation where possible, ratio 16:9 (e.g. 768 px width, 432 px height).
  • Submissions must be the original work of the person submitting the artwork.
  • Please ensure the image uploaded is clear and visible.
  • Submissions are accepted in the following formats: PDF, JPG, or PNG and must be downloadable. An optional video may be added – accepted formats are MP4, less than 100 MB.  
  • Captions may be entered in any language, however the organisers may contact the entrant to confirm translations, if not entered in English.
  • Submissions must be received by the deadline, 15 August, 2023 (11:59pm JST).

Judging Criteria

  • Submissions will be judged based on creativity, originality & quality of the artwork, and relevance to sustainable consumption and production.

Please note that by participating in this challenge, all entrants agree that their artwork/s, name, and captions can be featured in promotional channels (including but not limited to websites, social media, email newsletters), in relation to this challenge.

Format for Submission and Review
Online submission must be done via the Submission Form by 15 August, 2023 (11:59pm JST). **Entries are now closed. Thank you to all for your submissions.**

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