A wave of creativity and environmental awareness is sweeping through the Salle d’Exposition du Quai Antoine Ier in Monaco, where the exhibition Demain l’Océan ? (Tomorrow the Ocean?) is currently on display. Curated by the Department of Cultural Affairs, the show offers an evocative exploration of our relationship with the seas through 71 works by 34 artists from across five continents. But what sets it apart is its bold focus on engaging the next generation through hands-on, age-tailored workshops designed for children and teenagers aged 3 to 18.
The programme includes playful, sensory-based activities for toddlers, who are invited to discover the colours and textures of the ocean while learning words like “biodiversity” in an environment filled with calming underwater sounds. Older children are encouraged to create their own seascapes and characters inspired by contemporary artists, reflecting on the emotional and symbolic ties between people and the ocean. A particularly clever twist comes in the form of a “treasure and trash” hunt, where children search through sand and seaweed (of the paper variety) to separate natural finds from human waste, all while learning about recycling and marine pollution.
Pre-teens and young teens are pushed to think even deeper. They take on the roles of scientists, artists and activists to craft symbolic pieces defending threatened marine life, or they channel their concerns into bold protest collages made from photographs and historical texts. For the oldest age group, abstract painting becomes a tool for expressing personal interpretations of ocean protection, paired with conversations on practical steps toward conservation.
Monaco, with its storied maritime heritage and principled environmental stance, is a fitting stage for this initiative. The Principality has long championed the cause of ocean preservation, from the pioneering marine expeditions of Prince Albert I to the far-reaching impact of Prince Albert II’s environmental foundation. This exhibition continues that legacy by giving children not just the facts but the means to respond — creatively, critically and with purpose. In Demain l’Océan ?, art becomes both a window into the sea’s beauty and a mirror reflecting our responsibilities, and Monaco’s young visitors are being handed the brush.
