The Tidal Shift Award, a juried competition that aims to showcase, amplify and elevate youth perspectives and art to highlight climate change solutions, has announced the opening of its submission period for its 2023 prizes. Participants can submit any medium or combination of media (within official rule guidelines) by  Feb. 28. 

The competition seeks artists ages 14 to 22 across the Northeast, from New England to Washington, D.C., to submit artwork related to their perspective on climate change. Create a work of art contemplating an issue and/or a solution to a crisis facing your community resulting from climate change. Participants can use any medium (e.g. painting, printmaking, photography, sculpture, video, all works of paper) and young artists of any ethnic or racial identity, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ability are encouraged to apply.

“We are thrilled to be able to present this award for a second consecutive year,” says Mark Bessire, the Judy and Leonard Lauder Director of the Portland Museum of Art. “Our climate crisis is real, and young artists can inspire meaningful action around the challenges we face together. We are proud to enable these artists to make a difference and ensure their voices are listened to.”

The Tidal Shift Award is made possible by King Philanthropies, who partnered with the PMA in 2021 to launch the award. Cash prizes will be awarded in two divisions (with three prizes per division):

Division One: ages 14 to 18 and Division Two: ages 19 to 22.  Winners will be announced on Earth Day, April 22. Division one winners will receive $2,500 each and division two winners will receive $5k each.

For more information about the award, visit www.tidalshiftaward.com.