Organizer Information
Art Partner is a globally recognized creative agency working across fashion, luxury, beauty, and contemporary culture. Over the past three decades, the organization has collaborated with leading artists, photographers, filmmakers, designers, and brands to create influential visual campaigns and cultural projects. In 2019, Art Partner established Earth Partner, its sustainability-focused division dedicated to amplifying environmental awareness through art, storytelling, and creative communication.
Earth Partner operates as a platform connecting artists, activists, scientists, and cultural leaders to address urgent ecological and social issues through creative expression. Through initiatives such as the Earth Partner Prize, travelling exhibitions, and year-round environmental programs, the organization seeks to empower emerging voices and encourage meaningful public engagement with climate-related challenges. Previous editions of the prize have showcased selected works at major international venues including the United Nations Headquarters in New York, the Vatican Gardens of Borgo Laudato Si', Fotografiska Shanghai during Shanghai Climate Week, and Photo London at Somerset House.
Title & Description
Earth Partner Prize 2026 – Global Open Call for Young Creatives
The Earth Partner Prize 2026 is an international open call inviting artists and creatives aged 14–30 to respond to one of the most pressing issues of our time: climate change and ecological justice. Organized by Earth Partner in collaboration with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and Re:wild, the prize aims to elevate youth voices and foster creative dialogue ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP) in November 2026.
Open to participants worldwide, the competition encourages submissions that explore environmental challenges, ecological breakdown, climate action, sustainability, and the social consequences of environmental change. The initiative particularly seeks to amplify perspectives from underrepresented communities and members of the global majority whose experiences and viewpoints are often absent from mainstream climate discussions.
Applicants may submit work in virtually any artistic medium, including photography, film, performance, music, spoken word, fashion, new media, app development, digital projects, social media campaigns, and interdisciplinary creative practices. Projects must already be completed and documented at the time of submission.
A distinguished international jury composed of curators, artists, filmmakers, environmental leaders, and creative directors will evaluate submissions based on artistic quality, originality, environmental relevance, conceptual strength, and public impact. Selected finalists and honourable mentions will receive global exposure through Earth Partner and Art Partner’s extensive international network.
In addition to substantial cash prizes, winning and shortlisted projects will be featured in a virtual exhibition and promoted across Art Partner’s digital platforms, providing valuable visibility among cultural institutions, environmental organizations, and global audiences. The Earth Partner Prize offers a unique opportunity for emerging creatives to contribute to global conversations around climate justice while advancing their artistic careers through international recognition.
Categories
- Photography
- Video / Film
- Performance Art
- Sound / Music
- Fashion Design
- New Media
- Digital Art
- Creative Writing
- Spoken Word
- Dance
- Multimedia
- Social Practice
- Environmental Art
- Interdisciplinary Art
- App Development
- Social Media Projects
Eligibility
- Open worldwide to all nationalities
- Individual artists and collaborative groups may apply
- Participants must be between 14 and 30 years old at the time of submission
- Applicants under 18 must provide parental or guardian consent
- Projects must address climate change, ecological justice, environmental sustainability, or related themes
- Submitted works must already be completed and documented
- No residency restrictions apply
- All artistic disciplines and creative mediums are eligible
Program Benefits & Awards
- First Prize: USD $10,000
- Two Runner-Up Awards: USD $5,000 each
- Five Finalist Awards: USD $2,000 each
- One Impact Award recognizing exceptional community engagement
- Twenty Honourable Mentions
- Inclusion in a virtual exhibition on EarthPartner.com
- Feature publication on Art Partner and Earth Partner digital platforms
- Visibility through social media channels, reaching hundreds of thousands of followers
- Potential exposure to international climate leaders, cultural institutions, and environmental organizations
- Opportunities for participation in future Earth Partner exhibitions and initiatives
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- A completed online application form
- Project description (maximum 500 words)
- Short biography (maximum 100 words)
- High-resolution JPEG images for image-based projects
- High-resolution MP4 or MOV files for video submissions
- One representative image for video projects
- Live URL for web-based or digital projects
- Information regarding any use of AI tools
- Details of previous awards or press coverage (if applicable)
- Parent or guardian consent form for applicants under 18 years old
Additional requirements:
- Projects must be fully executed before submission
- Text-based works must be presented in a visual format
- Submissions may not contain unauthorized third-party logos or copyrighted materials
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 8 October 2026
- Jury Review Period: October–November 2026
- Winner Announcement: November 2026
Location
Online
Additional Details
- Projects involving AI tools must clearly disclose their use.
- Collaborative projects are eligible provided all rights holders participate in the submission.
- Artists retain copyright ownership of their work.
- Participants grant Earth Partner the right to exhibit and promote submitted works in connection with the competition and sustainability initiatives.
- Previous Earth Partner Prize exhibitions have been presented at globally recognized venues including the United Nations Headquarters, Fotografiska Shanghai, the Vatican Gardens, and Photo London.
- Judging criteria include artistic excellence, environmental relevance, conceptual clarity, visual quality, and public engagement potential.
- The competition is designed to support youth participation in global climate conversations leading up to COP 2026.
- The initiative particularly encourages submissions from underrepresented communities and emerging creative voices.
- Winners and finalists may gain exposure to international cultural institutions, environmental organizations, curators, and climate leaders.