Welcome to this exercise in collective visioning and creation. A new version of the future is being born, and your participation is kindly requested. This joyful vision has been incubating for more than a decade, but the world was not ready for it. Now, we are not only ready; we are hungry for it!

There’s a burgeoning movement of artists, dreamers, builders, visionaries, teachers, innovators, doers, and makers who have been taking consistent steps to bring forth a bright, just, regenerative world for all children and future generations.

We are retelling the story of humanity. A new way forward built on ancient wisdom and the most beautiful values of humankind. We are reimagining a world where clean air, water, and food are available to all. A world free of pollution and global stressors caused by climate-related disruptions and ecological imbalance. A world where nature is our guide and we honor it and respect it.

Creation requires imagination. Everything that exists today was once imagined. We are going through a process of collective renewal, and the world we live in today requires us to radically re-imagine how we want to experience the future. Our actions today will impact the lives of millions tomorrow.

“Radical times call for radical imagination and a radical transformation of how the world can operate.”

~Andrewism

Art is a critical piece in our evolution as a species, and it is essential for our soul’s survival. Art is a powerful healing outlet, a vehicle for cultural transformation, and a potential force for social change.

The old paradigm of working in silos and echo chambers is dying. The following 30 months are crucial for the future of all living things on this planet. It is time to work together in unity, radical collaboration, and coordinated global effort. And it is time to bring art, play, and imagination to the forefront of all our creations.

We need you!

What is Solarpunk Generation?

For many, the future looks bleak and grim. We’ve all seen multiple images of disaster and destruction that often keep many people overwhelmed, helpless, and paralyzed by fear. Young people feel particularly anxious and with nothing to look forward to. Many are experiencing eco-anxiety and profound psychological distress, and uncertainty about the future. It’s time to change the narrative.

To support the mental and emotional health of children and youth, we need to be able to offer a new way forward. We can’t get there by only focusing on the problems. We have to bring attention to the solutions already being implemented and the people behind them.

It is time to unleash our human potential, activate our superpowers through imagination and ingenuity, and harness our collective intelligence to shift the trajectory of our planet.

Solarpunk Generation is a multi-level project grounded in a framework that borrows elements from solarpunk combined with research-based elements of community psychology, emotional intelligence, positive psychology, and eco-psychology.

Solarpunk Generation envisions a regenerative future built on a foundation of equal inclusion, empathy, and respect for ecological and human diversity (regardless of age, race, gender, ethnicity, nationality, ability, language, sexual orientation, or neurodiversity), where everyone has a unique role in promoting ecological well-being, harmony, and resilience.

Learn more about Solarpunk here.

Solarpunk Generation is launching a series of projects to catalyze innovation, regeneration, and collective intelligence. These projects aim to promote the development of interconnected re-imagination hubs, both on a local and global scale, which will serve as common pools of resources to support the healing of our planet and support the emotional and mental health of children, youth, families, and diverse communities.

The graphic depicts some of the foundational elements and values guiding these projects. More will be revealed as other projects are launched.

One of the first projects launching is a different kind of podcast. A bridge between generations that reflects diverse voices sharing life-affirming values, visions, and actions for a more sustainable, regenerative future. It will feature inspiring individuals, from children to grandparents, and everyone in between (Gen Alpha, Gen Z, Millenials, etc.), actively working to build this future today.

The podcast is currently in production. Many guests will be encouraged to contribute their wisdom, brilliance, or experience to different phases of the larger project and sub-projects (e.g., area expert guests/mentors for Solarpunk Camp, workshops, pilots, live events, etc.). There will be many opportunities to support, connect, and amplify their efforts and dedication.

Solarpunk Generation is inviting you to be a part of its journey and creative process!!

Other exciting projects in development are the solarpunk art contests and art exhibitions. There are incredible solarpunk art pieces all over the internet depicting environments, nature, and architecture. But, equally, we need to tell a collective story of the people creating that future.

The solarpunk art exhibitions seek to accurately reflect the richness and diversity of the solarpunk movement. A live co-creation of the future—each piece adding infinite possibilities to our collective imagination. A beautiful tapestry of vibrant colors, textures, and flavors of the best possible future we can create together.

Will you join us?

Contest Details

AUGUST 2023 UPDATE:

Thank you to everyone who submitted art entries!! If you did not get a chance to submit your piece before the deadline, there will be other opportunities to be eligible to participate in the upcoming solarpunk art exhibitions and showcases. There will also be a second round with specific criteria to enter. Stay tuned for more announcements coming soon!

Winners of this first round will be announced in the Fall of 2023. Those who were selected to be featured in the upcoming solarpunk art exhibitions will be notified via email in the coming weeks. Thank you for your patience with this process!

If you are interested in being part of this collective co-creation, you can start creating art anytime. The main inspiration and call to action remains: create a visual representation of a person, group, entire family, or family member engaged in an action or behavior aligned with a solarpunk future.

Here are some ideas to inspire your creative flow:

• What is each person doing?
• How are they being active citizens?
• How are they interacting with nature?
• How are they interacting with other people?
• How are they interacting with technology?
• How are they contributing to a life-affirming society?
• How are they taking care of themselves?
• How are they taking care of the planet?
• How are they supporting others?
• How are they developing their inner abilities?
• How are they channeling their energy?
• How are they promoting sustainability and regeneration?
• How are they demonstrating inclusivity, empathy, and respect for biodiversity, neurodiversity, and all forms of human diversity?
• How are they creating solutions to build a solarpunk future?
• How are they collaborating across generations?
• How are they in harmony with other systems?
• What steps are they taking to be a positive force for change in society?

Prizes:

• One winner will receive $500 in cash.
• 5,555.00 Seeds donated by Rieki Cordon from SEEDS.
• 1,000 trees planted on their behalf through TreeSisters.
• One recycled paper sketchbook, professional drawing sketch set, and art supply bundle.
• One winner will have a special featured podcast episode dedicated to their journey.
• Special mentions for future projects and campaigns.
• Solarpunk Stories has donated a free copy of Solarpunk Detective Episode One for the winner.

Judging Criteria:

Submissions will be juried by an incredible panel of judges with overlapping expertise in a variety of visual and literary arts and system thinking. The panel includes:

• • Phoebe Tickell
  • Andrewism
  • Hal Hefner
  • Solarpunk Magazine
  • J.D Harlock
  • Clare Atwell

The judging panel will evaluate the artwork considering solarpunk aesthetics, alignment with solarpunk values, and the overall composition using the elements and principles of art. We thank you for your patience with this process.

Terms of Publicity:

Entrants retain copyright of all entered materials and are free to use said materials for personal promotion, but they grant Solarpunk Generation, and the showcase sponsors rights to reproduce the work  (i.e., use in social media outlets, live and virtual showcases, etc.) provided full and correct credit for the artist clearly appears within the said materials.

Disqualification:

We are grounded in values of social justice, empathy, and respect for all living beings. Therefore, any image or word that is deemed to contain content that is considered inflammatory or inappropriate will be disqualified; this includes material that is racist, misogynous, sexist, homophobic, transphobic, antisemitic, ableist, eco-fascist or that promotes any oppressive dynamics. Interpretation of what is and is not appropriate material is at the judges’ discretion.

Sponsors:

• Rieki Cordon from SEEDS has donated 5,555.00 Seeds to the prize pool.

Solarpunk Generation welcomes sponsors, stewards, allies, co-creators, and collaborators. If you or your organization/DAO or project would like to collaborate, support, help amplify the mission, or donate anything (skills, ideas, funds, smiles, good vibes, or feedback), please reach out!

Art Featured on this Post:

The Fifth Sacred Thing by Jessica Perlstein
Refuse Dystopia by Joan_De_Art