The (Re)Generation Art & Storytelling Contest
Be part of the (Re)Generation - What are your 4Rs?
Join youth and families across Alameda County in sharing your unique and personal stories of action that represent how you are part of the (Re)Generation. Together we can take collective action to share the thriving, irresistible future we all envision for ourselves and for our communities.
Choose a storytelling medium (i.e. reuse art, visual art, performing arts, creative writing, or mixed media) to showcase your actions and impact! Whether you embrace the 4Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Rot) or create your own “R” words, let your actions shine and inspire others!
What is the (Re)Generation?
The (Re)Generation is a collective identity for taking action to build toward the beautiful, healthy world we want to live in. Do you educate your school community or your family on how to sort properly? Do you make sure your waste makes it into a bin and doesn't end up as litter? How do you take action upstream and not create waste in the first place?
This is your chance to creatively share your 4Rs or climate action story and spark new ideas for positive change!
Need inspiration? We encourage you to explore these resources:
What are Your 4Rs Activity Page Tips and Best Practices Guide Regenerative Recovery video We are the (Re)Generation toolkit I am Part of the (Re)Generation activity
To see all past contest submissions, visit:
The (Re)Generation Action Story Showcase
We are now accepting submissions for our 2025 Contest!
Submit your Artwork and Artist Statement
Questions? Email us at schools@stopwaste.org.
Submission Criteria
- Highlight how you take action to reduce or prevent waste. Your artist statement is just as important as your; art!
- Promote environmental awareness of the 4Rs or choose your own “R”s that spotlight upstream solutions to preventing waste in the first place.
- Showcase yourself and how you are part of the (Re)Generation – a collective identity for people committed to rebuilding a regenerative earth.
- Get creative and share your story in any medium you choose in visual arts, performing arts, literary arts, culinary arts, and more!
- All participants must sign a photo release and maintain appropriate school media guidelines.
- Multiple submissions in all categories are allowed but not all entries may receive an award.
- Individuals can submit an entry even if they are also included in a separate group entry.
- An individual is defined as one single person submitting an entry.
- A group is defined by a class, family or club with one mail point of contact acting as a main liaison.
- Usage of copyrighted material is prohibited.
Judging Criteria
- Telling the story of why you chose your 4Rs (your artist statement) is as important as the art piece you submit.
- We strongly encourage participants to consider the highest and best use of chosen materials and give a second life to materials or items that are already heading to the landfill.
Winning Categories
- Reuse Art like transforming found objects into art, etc.
- Visual Art like illustrations, comic books, photography, etc.
- Performing Arts like songs, skits, etc.
- Creative Writing like spoken word, poetry, creative or persuasive essays, etc.
- Mixed Media like a collage, board game, etc.
Awards will be given to both individuals and groups in four age-based categories – elementary, middle, high school & adult.
Individual:
|
Elementary School Youth |
$150 first place |
$100 second place |
$50 third place |
|
Middle School Youth |
$150 first place |
$100 second place |
$50 third place |
|
High School Youth |
$150 first place |
$100 second place |
$50 third place |
|
Adult/Partner Organization |
$150 first place |
$100 second place |
$50 third place |
Group:
|
Elementary School Youth |
$200 first place |
$150 second place |
$100 third place |
|
Middle School Youth |
$200 first place |
$150 second place |
$100 third place |
|
High School Youth |
$200 first place |
$150 second place |
$100 third place |
|
Adult/Partner Organization |
$200 first place |
$150 second place |
$100 third place |
Overall grand prize: $300
About Photo Releases & StopWaste Use of Submissions
All participants shown in the submitted post must also submit a signed photo release. Students, even if they are over 18 years of age, must still submit a photo release form signed by their parent/guardian. Family members & non-students may be included in the post so long as they also submit a signed photo release.
Download the photo release form - English
Download the photo release form - Spanish
*Participants understand that winning and non-winning submissions may be used by StopWaste.
To Enter the Contest
Step 1: Complete and upload your submission form online.
If you have trouble uploading your submission(s), contact us at Schools@StopWaste.org.
Step 2: Download and fill out the photo release form (English or Spanish) and upload it along with your submission form. If submitting for a group, each member of the group needs to submit a photo release form.
If you have trouble uploading your photo release form, you can email it to Schools@StopWaste.org.
We are now accepting submissions for our 2025 Contest!
Submit your Artwork and Artist Statement
Questions? Email us at schools@stopwaste.org.