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 art 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.

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

~Andrewism

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. Our actions today will impact the lives of millions tomorrow. It is time to work together in unity, radical collaboration, and coordinated global effort. 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 accelerate innovation, regeneration, and collective intelligence. These projects will lead to local and global networks of eco-hubs and common pools of resources to support the healing of our planet and radically address eco-anxiety in 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.

The first project 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 the seed for other upcoming projects. 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!!

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.

This art contest seeks to accurately reflect the richness and diversity in the solarpunk movement. More than an art contest, this is 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

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to create a visual representation of a person, group, entire family, or family member engaged in an action or behavior aligned with a solarpunk future.

We seek entries from diverse voices. Neurodivergent, indigenous, LGBTQIA +, and BIPOC voices are highly encouraged to participate!

The contest is open to all children, young people, and adults. If you care about the future of our planet and all living forms, you are invited to participate.

The format can be any visual medium: digital, ink, photography, paint, AI-generated, 3D, etc.

At the end of the contest, there will be a showcase featuring entries and submissions. These will also be shared on social media channels to amplify the work of those entering the contest as much as possible.

How to Enter:

1- After becoming familiar with the idea of solarpunk, spend some time imagining a solarpunk world in which people are actively participating and contributing to it.

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?

2- Send your final artwork to solarpunkgeneration@gmail.com with the subject line “Solarpunk Generation Art Submission” to enter. Submissions should include:

• Original art, not published elsewhere.
• Full name, age, and contact information.
• Title of your piece.
• An original high-resolution image.
• For children and youth under 18, please have parents complete the Parental Consent Form.
• Links to social media handles.
• You are encouraged to share your progress using the social media hashtag #solarpunkgeneration. Solarpunk Generation will be sharing social media entries, posts, and stories with appropriate credit throughout the duration of the contest.

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.
• We are actively seeking funding and donations to add to the prize pool.

If you have ideas about creative prizes or would like to donate to the prize pool, please reach out to solarpunkgeneration@gmail.com.

Submission Deadline- Extended until April!!!

UPDATE:

Did you want to participate but felt “underqualified” to submit an entry?

Well, you are in luck! Solarpunk Generation is joining forces with Solarpunk Surf Club with the shared mission of encouraging more Solarpunk Art!

Solarpunk Surf Club is hosting the perfect class for you to work on your submission! Check out their Solarpunk, Art, and Social Ecological Aesthetics Course starting on February 1st through April.

If you haven’t submitted your piece, you’ll have until the end of April to enter the contest. You are not required to take the class, but we highly encourage you join them!

If you have already submitted an entry, thank you!! You are welcome to submit more. The more, the merrier!

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.

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