As we enter the fifth year of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, the need to connect people to our Ocean is more important than ever. The EMBracing the Ocean programme was launched in 2022 and provides 10,000 euro grants for creative individuals/groups from a wide range of disciplines to engage in a two-way co-creation of artwork in collaboration with Ocean scientists. The aims of the programme are to 1) raise societal awareness of and embrace connection to the Ocean, 2) inspire positive behaviour towards sustainability, and 3) contribute new insight and/or perspectives to science.
The programme to-date has suppored innovative projects including a mangrove-inspired dance choreography; visual arts project investigating the impact of the war on pollution in the Black Sea; musical compositions using oceanographic data exploring the fragility of the Southern Ocean and Antarctica; video investigation of the sustainable use of the the Venice lagoon; glass sculptures made from Ocean floor sediments to investigate geological histories; sustainable fashion and textile project investigating the legacy of the X-Press Pearl disaster on Sri Lankan marine life, and; sound project investigating the psychological impact of climate change and the therapeutic potential of Ocean sounds. You can read more about current and past EMBracing the Ocean artists-in-residence on the EMB website.
The 2025 - 2026 programme is open for applications until 17 February 2025 from creative individuals or groups from a wide variety of creative disciplines. Both emerging and established artists will be considered by the committee. Prior experience in co-creation with scientists and/or communities and working on sustainability topics is desirable. Applications are welcome from across the world, and from a wide range of creative disciplines, including but not limited to:
- visual arts (e.g. drawing, painting, filmmaking, photography, sculpting, digital arts, installation);
- literary arts (e.g. fiction, drama, poetry, storytelling);
- performing arts (e.g. dance, music, theatre); and
- traditional and indigenous arts.
More information on the call and how to apply is available here. For any questions please email Britt Alexander at the EMB Secretariat.