Art Partner Launches 2026 Earth Partner Prize to Empower Youth in Climate Action
Art Partner has initiated the 2026 Earth Partner Prize, a global competition aimed at encouraging young individuals to actively engage in combating the climate crisis. This initiative, developed in partnership with the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) and Re:Wild, seeks to harness the power of creative expression to address pressing environmental and social issues. The competition is open to young creatives aged 14 to 30, from diverse backgrounds, inviting them to submit original artworks across a wide array of formats, including photography, film, performance art, music, fashion design, and new media. The deadline for submissions is October 7th at 23:59 CET.
Details of the Earth Partner Prize 2026 Initiative
The 2026 Earth Partner Prize, an international competition spearheaded by Art Partner in collaboration with the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) and Re:Wild, serves as a crucial platform for young individuals aged 14 to 30 to channel their creativity towards impactful climate action. Participants are invited to submit original artworks that explore various environmental and social challenges facing our planet. The submission window closes on October 7th at 23:59 CET.
Artists can delve into a multitude of topics, including climate justice, corporate greenwashing, Indigenous rights, material innovation, wildlife conservation, pollution, grassroots activism, and the physical and mental health impacts of the climate crisis. The competition embraces a broad spectrum of artistic formats, such as photography projects, documentary and experimental films, performance art, spoken word, musical compositions, fashion design, app development, dance, and new media.
A total of eight winners will be selected, receiving monetary awards of $10,000, $5,000, or $2,000. Additionally, 20 honorable mentions will be recognized, and a special Impact Award will be presented to the project demonstrating the most significant community impact. Winning artworks will be featured in an online showcase on earthpartner.com and promoted through Art Partner's social media channels. Furthermore, participants will have the unique opportunity to present their work and engage in activities surrounding COP 31, a major global climate conference, through a collaboration with the GEF.
The international jury for this year's prize comprises influential figures from the cultural and environmental sectors. These esteemed judges include Derrick O. Boateng, an acclaimed Afrofuturist artist; Dr. Robin Moore, photographer and CCO at Re:wild; Dr. Musonda Mumba, Secretary General of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands; Giovanni Testino, founder of Art Partner; Marina Testino, a prominent sustainability advocate; Hans Ulrich Obrist, a leading art curator and artistic director of the Serpentine Galleries; Ferdinando Verderi, a creative director; Marcela Villafaña, an Indigenous Arhuaco filmmaker; and Shaway Yeh, a pioneer in sustainable fashion.
This initiative builds on the success of last year's prize, which attracted over 1,200 submissions from more than 100 countries, highlighting the global reach and artistic engagement of young talents. Through the Earth Partner Prize, Art Partner aims to provide a highly visible platform for emerging artists, particularly those from underrepresented communities, to contribute to the global discourse on environmental matters.
The Earth Partner Prize offers a powerful avenue for young voices to be heard in the critical global conversation about our planet's future. By integrating diverse artistic expressions with scientific and policy discussions, this initiative not only fosters creativity but also cultivates a deeper understanding and empathy for environmental issues. It underscores the vital role of art in driving social change and empowering the next generation to lead the charge in building a sustainable future.
