Artists considered for the award harness art as a tool for change.

They are bold thinkers engaged with marine ecology, climate action, or biocultural narratives, who are open to interdisciplinary collaboration with scientists, engineers, and local communities.

A global cohort of fifteen cultural leaders was appointed as a nominating committee to propose up to three artists who place climate and ecological justice at the core of their practice. Nominated artists will be invited to submit preliminary proposals, which will be evaluated by a panel of expert jurors.

Up to five finalists will be shortlisted by the jury, and will be invited to participate in an immersive research trip in South Florida. The program will include snorkeling and diving expeditions, access to a native coral lab, workshops on best practices in reef-making and material science, and consultations with marine scientists and engineers to inform the development of the finalists’ proposals.

Once refined, the final proposals will be reviewed by the jury, culminating in the selection of the award recipient, who will be granted a $25,000 artist fee and an up to $300,000 production budget to realize their work for installation on The ReefLine.