To mark its 15th anniversary, JPI Oceans is launching a photo and art competition inviting artists, photographers, and enthusiasts to illustrate the science behind our Joint Actions.
Since its founding, JPI Oceans has coordinated European research and innovation on some of the ocean's most pressing and, at times, overlooked challenges: for instance, the ecological impact of deep-sea mining, the ocean's role as a carbon sink, and the consequences of changing light in marine environments, among many others. Some of these issues have since entered mainstream debate; others remain largely unknown beyond the research community. Art and photography have a unique capacity to bridge that gap, reaching broader audiences and evoking reactions in ways that policy papers or assessment reports rarely do.
Who can participate?
We invite creative individuals to draw on JPI Oceans’ 15 years of work as inspiration. We welcome submissions from professionals and amateurs alike that can bring artistic vision to ocean science, whether that means a photograph taken during fieldwork, a painting inspired by data, or a digital composition that reframes a familiar marine environment in unexpected ways.
All visual art forms and photographic techniques are welcome. The competition is open to individuals aged 18 and above worldwide, and each participant may submit up to two entries. Entries must have a clear thematic link to one of the JPI Oceans Joint Actions, a full overview of which is available at jpi-oceans.eu/en/joint-actions.
Participants are asked to indicate which Joint Action their work relates to and to provide a title for the piece at the time of submission.
Awards
The winner will be awarded with a prize of €1,000, and each of the two runners-up will receive €500.
Winning works will be showcased at the JPI Oceans office in Brussels, and promoted across our communication channels and events throughout the anniversary year. In addition, we are exploring ways to exhibit them in a policy space in Brussels.
Timeline
- Competition opens: 8 June 2026, World Oceans Day
- Submission deadline: 6 September 2026
- Winners announced: October 2026
Entries should be submitted by email to info@jpi-oceans.eu. Please consult the full submission guidelines and terms and conditions here.
Meet the jury
We are proud to introduce the panel that will evaluate the submitted pieces: three multidisciplinary individuals contributing experience in art curation, art-science dialogues, and hands-on research missions at sea.
Markus Reymann is Co-Director of TBA21–Thyssen-Bornemisza Art Contemporary, in a role that blends together contemporary art, ocean science, and governance. Over 15 years he has shaped TBA21's exhibitions and public programmes and helped build Ocean Space in Venice; he also chairs the Alligator Head Foundation in Jamaica and holds a Corporation seat at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Clarissa Sellem is a curator and artistic director who founded Talk C.E.C. (Cultural Experiences Creator) in Brussels, a vibrant space hosting exhibitions, performances and events. She previously ran a contemporary art gallery in Paris and is now developing new artistic ventures in Italy, where she will explore "the intersections of art, hospitality and cultural journeys."
Sarah-Marie Kröger is a nature conservation coordinator with a passion for science communication and visual storytelling. As an "artist at sea," she has joined research expeditions, capturing what she sees through vibrant illustrations—including aboard RV Belgica in our 2022 expedition. Her work earned her third place in the JPI Oceans project competition category during our last Photo and Art Awards. "Art breaks down educational barriers," she says. "When we translate research artfully, it becomes accessible, relatable, and full of magic."
