THE SOCIAL ART AWARD
Can Art Catalyze Change Towards Blue Futures?

Dear Artists and Creatives,

The global challenges we face today demand bold and innovative responses. The Social Art Award 2025, an initiative started in 2017 by the Institute for Art and Innovation (IFAI), invites artists from around the globe to submit their visionary works under the theme: “Planetary Healing – Blue Tribes for Ocean Health.”

This year, we focus on the urgent need for ocean restoration, biodiversity protection, and fostering harmony between humans and other species.

The theme centers on Blue Tribes—communities that honor the interconnectedness of all life and collaborate to safeguard our oceans and planet. We encourage submissions that showcase innovative ideas, compelling narratives, and creative visions to inspire coexistence and planetary resilience.

Win €1,000 and gain global recognition through the Social Art Award 2025. We welcome submissions from all artists and cultural actors, regardless of gender, age, training, or nationality.

Please read “Rules and Conditions” for all relevant application requirements below.

Submission Requirements:
Artists may submit up to three works. Each submission must include:

  1. An image of your artwork (1920 pixel wide if possible, 72 dpi).
  2. A title and a short description of the submitted work (1000 characters)
  3. A brief artist statement incl. keywords (max. 500 characters) explaining the work’s connection to the theme.

Please note: An artist biography (max. 200 words) and a high-resolution image will be requested as soon as your submission gets accepted for the online gallery.

The Open Call for the Social Art Award 2024 runs from 02 December 2024 to 31 March 2025.

Let’s join forces for Planetary Healing — We look forward to seeing your inspiring applications!

Rules and Conditions

Rules for the Social Art Award 2024/2025

Goal of the Social Art Award

The Social Art Award is an initiative by the Institute for Art and Innovation (IFAI). Its goal is to explore and promote social art as a means to foster social, ecological, and political impact and change. The Award aims to strengthen the recognition of social artists and the value of their work while addressing global challenges.

Terms and Conditions

Applicants

2.1. The Award is open to anyone aged 18 years and over. There are no restrictions based on gender, age, training, or nationality.
2.2. Applicants can submit one or more artworks/projects, of any medium. Each submission must include a short description in English and one image (photo, video/film still, or other visualization). For series submissions, only one image per series is required, with a link provided for further exploration.
2.3. The applicant must be the owner of the artwork(s) and must hold all moral and intellectual property rights.
2.4. If selected for exhibitions or events, the applicant is responsible for transporting the original artwork or providing the necessary materials.

Application

3.1. To participate, applicants must upload their submission at www.social-art-award.org/apply.
3.2. Applications must be submitted between 02 December 2024 and 31 March 2025 (11:59 PM CET).
3.3. Support requests must be directed to support@social-art-award.org before the closing deadline.
3.4. Submitted images must be between 0.2 MB and 1 MB (recommended width: 2000 pixels). If selected, applicants must provide high-resolution images (300 dpi, 10 x 15 cm) suitable for printing. Poor image quality may lead to disqualification.
3.5. The description of the artwork/project should not exceed 500 characters and must introduce the work and its impact. Applicants should also briefly describe the relation of the artwork/project to the theme “Planetary Healing – Blue Tribes for Ocean Health” (200 characters max). All descriptions must be in English.
3.6. By submitting, applicants agree that IFAI may collect and process their registration data.
3.7. Applicants grant IFAI the right to reproduce their work (at no fee) for communication purposes related to the Award, including press, publicity, website, social media, promotion, catalog, books, and any other related materials.
3.8. Applicants agree to join IFAI's mailing list for newsletters and future calls or project announcements.
3.9. Applicants agree that peaceful changemakers worldwide may use submitted images for non-commercial activities related to peaceful, non-violent transformation processes.

Registration Fee

4.1. There is no registration fee to enter the award.

Selection Process

5.1. All applications submitted by 31 March 2025 (11:59 PM CET) enter the selection process.
5.2. The selection process includes three stages:

  • Stage 1: The jury selects the Top 100 submissions, which will be published in the official Social Art Award 2024 Book. Applicants will be notified via email by April 15, 2025 and must submit high-resolution images and an extended description upon request. Missing information or poor image quality will result in disqualification.
  • Stage 2: From the Top 100, the jury will nominate a shortlist of 10 finalists. An additional 2 wildcards will be chosen via public online voting.
  • Stage 3: The jury will select the 3 winning artists from the 12 finalists.

5.3. The work of the 3 winners will receive special recognition, including interviews, and may be showcased at events such as BitBasel and potential touring exhibitions, including COP 30 in Belém, Brazil.

5.4. All selected finalists will gain recognition and exposure through the online platform, Social Art Award Book, and events.

5.5. Jury and organizational decisions are final and non-negotiable.

Public Voting

6.1. Two wildcards will be chosen via public voting from the Top 100 submissions.
6.2. Public voting will run from 22 April 2025 to 29 April 2025 (11:59 PM CET).

Awards and Prizes

7.1. The Social Art Award seeks to invigorate social art and strengthen recognition for social artists.
7.2. All selected submissions (Top 100) will be published in the Social Art Award 2024 Book.
7.3. The 3 winning artists will receive:

  • First Winner: €1,000 prize money.
  • Highlighted interviews and profiles.
  • The opportunity to showcase their work at events such as BitBasel and potential exhibitions.
    7.4. All finalists and selected artists will gain global exposure through the book, online gallery, and various media channels.
    7.5. All applicants will receive a digital copy of the book free of charge and may order printed copies at their own expense.

Agreement

8.1. The decisions of the jury are final and non-negotiable.
8.2. By submitting, applicants grant IFAI and peaceful changemakers worldwide the right to reproduce, exhibit, publish, and translate their works for non-commercial purposes supporting social and ecological transformation.

For further information or assistance, contact support@social-art-award.org.