News Release

Cape Cod National Seashore and Center for Coastal Studies Announce Marine Debris Opportunity for Artists

Debris including tires, boxes, and netting sit on a beach. The ocean is in the background. A visitor walks on the beach cleaning up debris.
Beach clean up.

Center for Coastal Studies

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News Release Date: April 26, 2022

Contact: Aleutia Scott, 508-487-2100 ext. 0920

WELLFLEET, Mass— The National Park Service/Cape Cod National Seashore (NPS) and the Center for Coastal Studies (CCS) invite proposals for an outdoor marine debris art exhibition to be installed in the national seashore. Funding for this collaboration is made possible by a unique federal opportunity linking the NPS and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Marine Debris Program in a national effort to educate and inform about marine debris issues affecting national park areas.

The exhibit resulting from this opportunity will support marine debris prevention, outreach, and education undertaken by both organizations by reaching new audiences, educating about debris sources in the region, raising awareness, and encouraging behavior changes to reduce or prevent marine debris.

“Marine debris is a serious issue affecting all coastal areas,” noted Cape Cod National Seashore Superintendent Brian Carlstrom. “In addition to being unsightly, debris contains pollutants and harms wildlife. This joint venture will raise awareness of this issue and encourage personal behaviors that can reduce and prevent marine debris.”

The NPS and CCS have collaborated on several resource management and research projects over many years. Shoreline clean-ups in the seashore led by CCS have provided robust data about the types of debris on seashore beaches, which may assist the grant recipient in the development of an effective and reflective work. "Incorporating marine debris into an artistic and educational exhibit is the best and highest use for that litter, and debris data in the hands of an artist can truly help communicate the issue,” said Laura Ludwig, director of the CCS Marine Debris and Plastics Program.

Proposals will be reviewed by a panel of jurors with a range of expertise, from ocean science to art to engineering, to select a work that will be highly visible for several years at a seashore location.

Deadline for applications is June 8, 2022 (World Ocean Day 2022). The announcement of a successful applicant will be made on July 15, 2022. Final installation of the exhibit will be completed by Earth Day 2023, with a public ceremony on World Ocean Day 2023.

The Request for Proposals can be obtained here.



Last updated: April 27, 2022

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