River of Words International Poetry & Art Contest

Competition · River of Words, Center for Environmental Literacy at Saint Mary's College of California

River of Words is a free poetry and art contest that invites students Pre-K through grade 12 to respond creatively to their local watershed and environment. High schoolers (Category IV, grades 9-12) may submit up to 5 poems and 5 artworks; poems are limited to 32 lines and art must be mailed as an original physical piece. Winning work is published in the River of Words anthology and featured on the program's site; AI-generated entries are not eligible.

Who can apply

GradesGrades 9–12

Min GPA—

ScopeNational

StatesAll states

FieldsPoetry · Visual Arts

Logistics

Cost to youFree

Financial aidNot listed

StipendNot listed

FormatOnline

AwardsWinning poems and artwork are published in the River of Words anthology; no cash prize is published.

Applying

DueNot yet posted (2026 cycle closed January 31)

You submitStudents (or a teacher submitting on their behalf, with parental permission) submit original poems digitally and mail original artwork; work cannot be entered elsewhere simultaneously.

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