Every river tells a story. Tell yours. Through art, sound, or motion.
A global art show celebrating our connection to rivers and fish.
Through film, music, words, and visual art.
How to join
Everybody can join this art show with whatever art form you want. Music, painting, colouring, everything is allowed as long as there is a strong connection to fish and rivers.
Create an event
Art submission can be done through our event registration form. You do not need to organise a physical event. Select the event type option "Art Contest - We Are River People".
Join the art show on World Fish Migration Day
Your art will be showed at events all over the world and will be used as part of a bigger art piece to present at the European Union as a call to action for fish migration and healthy-free flowing rivers.
Previous World Fish Migration Day art selection
Why this art show
Rivers connect us all. They shape our lives and those of fish through the water we drink, the food we share, the stories we tell, and the ways we move. We Are River People is a global art show that invites everyone to show how rivers and fish live within us. You can take part through film, music, painting, sculpture, photography, or writing, whatever helps you express what flows beneath the surface of our shared waters.
From ancient tattoos to modern street art, from a child’s sketch to an experimental sound piece, every artwork joins a growing, living map of creativity. Together, these works reveal just how deeply our lives are linked to rivers and the fish that travel through them.
This campaign celebrates the beauty, diversity, and urgency of our connection to rivers. It’s a movement of artists, dreamers, and communities joining one global flow. Add your voice. Share your story.
We are river people.
Contest timeline
The art show will have monthly inspirational themes where we share art in a specific theme and encourage people to make art fitting that theme. You are not required to stick to these themes.
October - 2025
Launch of the campaign
November 2025
Theme 1, Memory of a River
December 2025
Theme 2, Songs of Fish
January 2026
Theme 3, Rivers as Borders / Bridges
May 2026
Theme 4, River Futures
March 2026
Theme 5, River Heritage (beer labels, crests, tattoos, myths, folk art)
April 2026
Theme 6, The River Inside Me
May 2026
We Are River People Art Show (Finale)
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is The We Are River People Art Show?
The We Are River People Art Show is part of World Fish Migration Day. This contest allows people to easily join WFMD without having to organize an event but still help to make a difference by creating art.
What happens to my submitted art?
We are collecting all art submissions and showcasing them among all event submissions on the map. We are also committed to presenting a collection of the art at the European Commission as part of a presentation regarding free flowing rivers, fish migration and dam removal.
Why do I need to submit my art as an event submission?
We want to show all art submissions together with the events to have everything in one place on our website. This way your art is more visible and there is no difficult process of uploading your art.
If you are not comfortable with submitting your art via the submission form, please send us an email on info@fishmigration.org
What kinds of art can I submit?
Any shape or form of art is allowed.
Can I win anything?
Short answer: No.
But. By contributing your art and raising awareness for free flowing rivers and fish migration we are all winning in the end.
Managing Your Submission
How do I manage my submission?
If you selected the account creation option when submitting your art you can change your uploaded media or description at any time by logging into the Event organizers section on our website.
If you decided not to create an account please get in touch via the contact form.
Who holds the copyright of my art?
You will always remain the owner of your art. The WFMD organisation can only use your art for communication about WFMD2026 or the Art Show.
How do I remove my submission?
Please contact us via the contact form.
Can I submit more than one piece of art?
Absolutely. Go for it!
