The ocean is vital to all life on Earth. It provides countless resources,regulates the climate,and supports the livelihoods,cultures, and heritage of billions of people. Yet, our current approach to ocean governance faces profound challenges. Fragmented regulations, weak enforcement mechanisms, and insufficient international cooperation hinder our ability to address interconnected threats such as overfishing, pollution, and climate change. Equally troubling is the exclusion of those most intimately connected to the ocean—coastal and island communities—from critical decision-making processes. 

Their voices, perspectives, and traditional knowledge, essential for effective ocean stewardship, remain underrepresented.These challenges demand a transformative, transdisciplinary approach to ocean governance. Such a system must honor diverse ways of knowing, including Indigenous and local knowledge systems, and foster collaboration among stakeholders. Art emerges as a powerful catalyst for this transformation. Universal and boundary-crossing, art makes complex environmental challenges accessible to policymakers, communities, and the public. 

By integrating artistic expression into governance, we can inspire public awareness, create inclusive spaces for dialogue, and deepen humanity’s connection to the ocean. This new e-learning course offers a unique exploration of art’s transformative potential in ocean governance. Bringing together artists, researchers, Indigenous communities, ocean advocates, and policymakers, the course examines how artistic creation can bridge divides and inspire innovative solutions to the triple-planetary crisis. For many, the ocean is more than a resource—it holds deep spiritual and cultural significance. Yet, current governance structures often overlook these profound connections, limiting their potential to inform transformative policies. 

This course addresses this gap by fostering a governance approach where both the ocean and humanity can thrive. Through the lens of art, participants will explore new ways to perceive, relate to, and protect our ocean, forging a future where diverse knowledge systems and creative expression lead the way toward sustainable stewardship.