The 5th annual Ocean Arts Festival
at the YMCA of the Monterey Peninsula
600 El Estero, Monterey 93940
Saturday, October 25, 1 - 4 pm
Free

“The Ocean Arts Festival provides invaluable opportunities for young artists to express their creativity, share their visions for a brighter future, and engage meaningfully with their community. The festival highlights the artistic talents of the youth, and it educates and inspires the broader community.” 
Roxanne O’Weger, Director of Education at the Monterey Museum of Art

Every Drop in the Ocean Counts from Echo Valley Elementary School for the 2024 Ocean Arts Festival

About the Ocean Arts Festival

The Ocean Arts Festival features ocean-themed visual and performing arts created by young artists under the age of 25. Local science organizations offer information tables with related art activities led by dynamic scientists. The festival provides opportunities for young artists to experience the power of creativity to expand understanding of ocean science and deepen their commitment to ocean stewardship.
 
The first Ocean Arts Festival took place in 2019 at the SpectorDance Studio in Marina. The concept of the festival evolved from SpectorDance’s signature work: Ocean Trilogy, a multidisciplinary performance inspired by a 10-year collaboration with the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute. 

From 2022 to 2024, SpectorDance presented the Ocean Arts Festival in partnership with the Monterey Museum of Art. In 2025, SpectorDance is excited to partner with the YMCA of the Monterey Peninsula for the 5th annual Ocean Arts Festival. This family-friendly event celebrates the power of the arts to teach, inspire, and generate positive change in the world.
 
The Ocean Arts Festival celebrates the power of the arts to teach, inspire, and generate positive change in the world. The Ocean Arts Festival sparks original thought, conversation, and action, and through artistic expression encourages participants to become aware of their social and environmental impact.

Click here to watch a video of Ocean Arts Festival 2024

Call for Young Visual & Performing Artists
 
Click here for guidelines, Click here for application
Applications are due September 15, 2025
  
Together, let’s raise our shared voices for the health of our 
ocean and the planet!

Visual Art at the Ocean Arts Festival

Performing Arts at the Ocean Arts Festival

Arcoiris Cultural Dance Company

Youth Music Monterey Chamber Group

Call for Science & Environmental Organizations

We believe that art and science can work together to reach people in new ways.
The Ocean Arts Festival Features Information Tables led by Science and Environmental Organization who would like to share their work with youth and the entire community. Along with information about the work you do, you can also offer an art activities that relate to your work.
 
Click here for guidelines, Click here for application!

Science Tables with Information and Art Activities at the Ocean Arts Festival

Ocean Arts Leadership Awards
 
As part of the Ocean Arts Festival, we are proud to offer the Ocean Arts Leadership Award. This award acknowledges young artists who merge their passion for the arts with their passion for science and a healthy ocean. This award celebrates our future ocean arts leaders throughout the entire year. In addition to the beautiful visual and performing art works that youth present at the festival, we also invite young artists to tell us their story in writing about how they lead their peers to be aware of the human impact on the ocean and how art can inspire ocean stewardship. At the closing of the Ocean Arts Festival young artists will be invited to share their thoughts on how the arts can help shape the future of our ocean’s health.

The Ocean Arts Leadership Award will honor three of the young artists who are exhibiting their work at the Ocean Arts Festival. They will receive a $100 prize for their commitment to employing their creativity in support of a healthy ocean. Winners will be selected by the Ocean Arts Festival Steering Committee on the day of the event. Artists must be present to receive an award.

Ocean Arts Leadership Award Recipients 2024

Congratulations to Gabriella Edwards, Noa Malikai Tiamson, Kenzie Thomas,and Trinity Landers (Honorable Mention)

Become an Ocean Arts Festival Sponsor

We are reaching out to local businesses and individuals who share our passion for the ocean and believe that art can make a positive impact on the health of our ocean and out planet. Your support will enable us to continue to offer the Ocean Arts Festival FREE of charge to all audiences!

For more information about the Ocean Arts Festival Sponsorship, click here
If you would like more information, contact Fran Spector Atkins.

Thank you to the Harden Foundation for their generous support for 2025!

Thank you to the 2024 Ocean Arts Festival Donors and Sponsors
California Arts Council, Harden Foundation, Monterey Museum of Art, Monterey County Gives!, Yellow Brick Road Benefit Shop, Rotary Club of Monterey, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Trucksis Inc., First Night Monterey, Arts Council for Monterey, Events California, Sabrina Hiltunen, Lisa Ledin

Ocean Arts Festival Steering Committee 2025
Fran Spector Atkins, Amy Byington, Lucia Copolla, Rachel Goren, Matt Huot, Sabrina Hiltunen, Ellen Martin, Keven Meyers, Pillar Mendoza, Avery Noelle Mentken, Marisa Serna, Roger Stewart, Garland Thompson, Roxanne O'Weger.  

Click below to support the Ocean Arts Festival: Monterey

Contact Fran Spector Atkins if you would like to be involved with the Ocean Arts Festival: Monterey. 

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