Imagine a world where art becomes the voice of the planet, stirring emotions and sparking action against climate change. That’s exactly what the 2025 Earth Partner Prize set out to achieve—and it’s more urgent than ever. But here’s where it gets controversial: Can art truly move the needle on environmental issues, or is it just a drop in the ocean? Earth Partner, the sustainability arm of Art Partner, teamed up with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to challenge artists aged 14–30 to create works that explore climate and environmental themes. The goal? To ignite awareness and inspire change ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference 2025 (COP 30), held in Belém, Brazil, from November 10 to November 21, 2025.
The response was nothing short of extraordinary. Artists from over 110 countries submitted pieces that tackled everything from eco-anxiety and waste management to the delicate balance between devastation and hope. These works, now part of a virtual exhibition powered by Voyager360, highlight voices often overlooked in both artistic and climate conversations. As GEF CEO and Chairperson Carlos Manuel Rodríguez aptly put it, the exhibition 'showcases imaginative voices from communities whose experiences are vital to understanding and addressing environmental challenges.'
And this is the part most people miss: The winners of this year’s prize aren’t just talented artists—they’re storytellers reshaping how we perceive our planet. The top honorees include Apah Benson (Nigeria), whose piece The Last of Us took home the $10,000 first prize, and Abandokht Tohidi Moghadam (Iran) and Kyaw Zay Yar Lin (Myanmar), who shared the $5,000 second prize. Other notable winners were Yi Song (China & UK), Ruby Okoro (Nigeria), Igor Furtado and Labō Young (Brazil), Andreu Esteban Sebastiá (Spain), and Tianxiao Wang (China & UK), each bringing unique perspectives to the table.
Thanks to the partnership with GEF, a selection of these works was displayed at the Climate Funds Pavilion during COP 30, amplifying their impact on a global stage. But the recognition didn’t stop there. An esteemed jury, including luminaries like Hans Ulrich Obrist (Artistic Director of The Serpentine) and Orsola de Castro (Co-Founder of Fashion Revolution), also awarded 20 Honourable Mentions and the inaugural Earth Partner Impact Award ($2,500) to Instituto Afro-Aurora Dance (Brazil) for their project DANÇA PAJÉ: FAVELA ANCESTRAL, which beautifully merges environmental art with community empowerment.
Here’s the bold question: Is art the missing piece in the climate action puzzle, or is it just a symbolic gesture? The 2025 Earth Partner Prize suggests it’s far more than that—it’s a catalyst for change. But what do you think? Can creativity truly drive environmental action, or is it too abstract to make a tangible difference? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s spark a conversation as bold as the art itself.
