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Climate change is one of the biggest challenges we face but it is not too late to make a difference. You can help others understand climate change and inspire people to take action through art. What about climate change worries you? How has climate change affected you, our home, or your family? How is your community taking action? What makes you hopeful? Show us through your art!

We are looking for youth ages 13-17 to submit artwork related to the topic of climate, people, and nature. Up to 100 artists will be featured in the chapters of the Fifth National Climate Assessment, which is seen by hundreds of thousands of people across the country and around the world. Two top finalists will receive $200. Your art will help readers of the Fifth National Climate Assessment see how the climate is changing and what that means for the people, places, and activities you love.  

ABOUT THE NATIONAL CLIMATE ASSESSMENT
The National Climate Assessment is the preeminent source of climate information for the United States and is led by the U.S. Global Change Research Program. The report covers topics such as water, ecosystems, oceans, agriculture, Indigenous Peoples, cities, transportation, health, and many others. It covers the entire geography of the US, including all 50 states, the U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Application Requirements

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

• Artwork must be 2D and can be paintings, drawings, collage, prints, mixed media, digital art (not including AI-generated art), or photography.
• All artists must submit a waiver signed by your parent or legal guardian. Please access the form here and upload it to CAFE when you submit your artwork.
• The submission period begins on October 11, 2022 and concludes on January 27, 2023 at 11:59pm Mountain Time. Late submissions will not be considered.
• Artists should submit a brief written statement (5-7 sentences). The statement can answer questions such as: What are you trying to say in your art? What inspired you? What do you hope people will learn from your art? What did you learn?
• A maximum of one entry per individual or team is permitted. Artists submitting an individual work may not also participate on a team.
• For team submissions, the individual who submits will be the lead point of contact for the submission. The order in which names are listed on the entry form and their spelling is how the names will appear in credits.
• Accepted file types are: JPEG/JPG and PNG only.
• Files must be high resolution, at least 300ppi (for rectangular works, a minimum 3300 pixels on the long side and 2550 pixels on the short side).
• File size: under 25 MB.
• File name: your full name without spaces, e.g. “JaneDoe.jpg”. Teams should use the lead point of contact’s name.
• If you have any questions or need help submitting art, please visit https://www.callforentry.org/artist-help-cafe or email: cafe@westaf.org
• All submissions are considered final and may not be modified, edited, or replaced.

CONTENT REQUIREMENTS

• Each entry must be original in concept, design, and execution and must not contain any elements that are protected by someone else’s copyright or otherwise subject to third-party intellectual property or proprietary rights, including privacy and publicity rights. Any entry that has been copied from an existing photo or image that was created by someone other than the artist is a violation of the rules and will not be accepted. USGCRP will not consider submissions of “fair use” copyrighted material or licensed materials created or owned by a third party.
• The content of all submissions must be suitable for a national, public audience. Submissions must not contain content or images that could be considered abusive, inflammatory, denigrating, or disrespectful to any groups, individuals or institutions. Submissions must adhere to the norms of civil discourse.
• USGCRP reserves the right to disqualify, at its sole and absolute discretion, any submission that does not adhere to these criteria.

JUDGING CRITERIA
Works will be selected by a jury representing each of the participating organizations. All art will be selected according to the following general criteria:

• Originality, innovation, creative use of material/technique
• Visual design, innovative processes, and aesthetic appeal
• Adherence to the theme, compelling and innovative expression of the relationship between climate, the natural environment, and society.
• Content consistent with climate science.
• Any works that are selected must comply with the Rules of Entry.

Up to 100 artists will be featured in the chapters of the Fifth National Climate Assessment. Two top finalists will receive $200. 

Eligibility Criteria

WHO MAY SUBMIT

• You must be 13-17 years old to participate in this call.
• All youth artists must have parental or legal guardian permission to submit.
• Artists 18 or older may submit to a separate call (here).
• All artists must be living and working in the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, American Samoa, Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of the Marshall Islands.