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

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Our definition of Social Art

Social Art is any artistic expression that aims to create social impact and change. This definition delineates the intention of the artist as crucial. Art engages in questioning and rethinking existing systems and paradigms. Artists are visionaries, utopists, agents for change, with the ability to affect society by creating emotionally captivating experiences. It is aesthetic revolution that preludes societal revolution.

The goal of this award that was launched in 2017 is to invigorate the rise of social art. We need more people to inspire zest for transformation. Even if this approach dissents from the widely claimed autonomy of art. The award explores and clusters the field, and seeks to raise attention for social art. Furthermore, the award aims at strengthening the recognition of social artists and the value of their work. Thus, promoting the importance of social art for society and its action-oriented participatory projects.

Social Art Award 2025

Press Images

Aquatopia

The Gold Social Art Award 2025 was granted to Aquatopia, a participatory performance project led by Anoosh Sophie Werner and her interdisciplinary team Dr. Fabian Ritter, Felicitas Seyffert, Katrin Mendler, Daniel Falk.

The Silver Social Art Award 2025 went to Michael Vincent Manalo for World Amplifier, a multi-sensorial installation that offers a poetic listening space to the invisible voices of the ocean.

The Bronze Social Art Award 2025 was presented to Amber Desprets for Future of Water, a foresight card game that explores climate risk and ocean governance through scenario-building and speculative storytelling.

Nejc Trampuz-Solandium 2063

Solandium 2063 by Nejc Trampuz received a Social Art Award 2025 – Honorary Mention

Julie Light -The Marine Museum of Lost Potential

The Marine Museum of Lost Potential by Julie Light received a Social Art Award 2025 – Honorary Mention

Eko Makala - Benjamin Baharanyi

Eko Makala by Benjamin Baharanyi received a Social Art Award 2025 – Honorary Mention

Symbiotic Futures
Symbiotic Futures by Romy Snijders (NL), Social Art Award 2021 – Special Prize 
Bioremediating Missile
Bioremediating Missile by Jos Volkers (NL), Social Art Award 2021 – Special Prize 
White Butterflies
White Butterflies by Milan Rai (NP), Social Art Award 2021 – Honorable Mention
FlowGarden
FlowGarden by Joy Lohmann (DE), 1st prize winner of the Social Art Award 2021
Blue Eyed Grass
Blue Eyed Grass by Rosalind Lowry (UK), 2nd prize winner of the Social Art Award 2021  
Mapping Greenness
Mapping Greenness by Mo Langmuir (UK), 3rd prize winner of the Social Art Award 2021  
Consent, Intent, Boundaries (Performance Still) by Narcissa Gold (US), winner of the Social Art Award 2019
Pink Silence (Social Sculpture in India) by Bogna Grazyna Jaroslwski, winner of Social Art Award 2019
Lino Tonelotto - Tournons le dos! / Turn our backs !
Tournons le dos! / Turn our backs ! (Public Art Intervention) by Lino Tonelotto, winner of Social Art Award 2017

Archive

Online Galleries of the Top 50 / Top 100 artists

Official Social Art Award Books (digital version)

Press Releases

Press Documentation (Selection)