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The NOAA Marine Debris Art Contest is coming soon! The 2027 Marine Debris Calendar is now available for download.
Marine Debris Program Art Contest Overview
The NOAA Marine Debris Program holds an art contest to reach K-8 students and help raise awareness about marine debris. Marine debris is a global issue and we believe that engaging our youth is an important part of addressing the problem. The resulting calendar, featuring the winning artwork, provides a daily reminder of how important it is for us to be responsible stewards of the ocean. Students are highly encouraged to check out resources on this website for information about marine debris.
Who is eligible to enter the contest?
All students in kindergarten through eighth grade from all U.S. states and territories in recognized public, private, and home schools are eligible to participate. Schools, including home schools, must be in compliance with federal and state civil rights and nondiscrimination statutes. Students may submit entries on their own or as part of a classroom, but must work individually.
2027 Calendar Artwork
In 2026, the NOAA Marine Debris Program is celebrating 20 years of cleaning our coasts. As part of the celebrations, we are releasing a special edition calendar featuring artwork from previous calendar winners! The 13 pieces of artwork featured in the 2027 calendar are a selection of winning entries from 2011-2026, created by students around the United States and territories in grades kindergarten to eighth grade.
Thank you to all the students, teachers, and families for your participation in 16 years of the art contest. Your support and enthusiasm remind us of why we have done this work over the past 20 years — to keep our ocean and Great Lakes clean. We hope this calendar fuels your passion to protect our ocean and drives you to stay involved in finding solutions to prevent marine debris.
The 2027 Marine Debris Calendar is currently available for download!
