Visual communication can change climate change — by filling our imaginations with visions for a better future, making complex information understandable, and inspiring us to act today.
Join Artists for Climate, the TED Countdown Open Call for Illustrations, by August 1.
Illustration: Sa6ettu for Fine Acts
TED Countdown, in collaboration with Fine Acts, is seeking submissions of illustrations and digital artwork focused on climate change. We want to build a unique collection of open-license visuals that inspire climate action. Selected works will be published online under a Creative Commons license and available to anyone for non-commercial use.
Our goal is to build a valuable public resource for individuals and organizations who want to raise awareness and amplify their impact on climate change.
We are looking for 50 awe-inspiring illustrations. The creator of each selected illustration will receive a $500 USD licensing fee and the chance to be featured across TED and Countdown platforms and at the Countdown Summit in October 2021.
We are looking for illustrations that:
Depict a hopeful view of our planet’s future
Communicate that climate action is urgent, but the solutions are within our reach
Contain an actionable or inspiring message, either through writing or imagery (appropriate humor is welcome)
We are not looking for illustrations that:
Depict gloomy images of the climate crisis and don’t contain a hopeful message
Are too abstract for a broad audience to understand
Contain trademarked imagery, visual elements or text (е.g. logos, brands, popular slogans, etc.)
Contain offensive language, imagery, hate speech or discrimination of any kind
Show beautiful images of nature without a call to action (if you’re a photographer, consider engaging with the Climate Visuals project)
Before submitting, please read our short FAQ for information on ownership, usage, permitted types of works and more.
How do I submit my work?
There are two ways in which you can submit your work:
1/ Simply fill in the form below
2/ Submit your work by publishing it on your Instagram profile as a mainfeed post (not a story), using the hashtag #ArtistsForClimate, tagging @tedcountdown and @fineacts, and telling us — and the world — your vision for a better climate future in the caption
Be awesome.
Act now.
What do I get?
The top 50 illustrations, selected by our jury, will:
1/ Receive a $500 USD licensing fee
2/ Be featured on a global stage at the 2021 TED Countdown Summit in Edinburgh, and various TED conferences
3/ Gain exposure on TED and TED Countdown digital platforms, including social media channels, newsletters and blog pages
4/ Contribute to the broader goal of spreading awareness about climate action through your work by becoming part of this visual library, and by allowing TED, TED Countdown and Fine Acts to use your artwork to shape the climate conversation
5/ Be included on The Greats, a free vault with carefully curated open-license socially engaged visual content intended to elevate art to help bring about social change
The Call is Now Closed.
2222 works were submitted by 1432 artists!
In August the jury will convene to review the submitted artworks.
We’ll announce the results in September across all our channels, so stay tuned for updates.
We will contact each selected artist individually.
Due to the extremely high volume of submissions, we will contact only the finalists, and will not be able to give feedback on individual submissions.