The Project Launch is granted to outstanding photographers working on a fine art series or documentary project. The grant includes a cash award to help complete or disseminate the works, as well as providing a platform for exposure and professional development opportunities. This grant is awarded to complete or nearly completed projects that would benefit from the grant award package.
General Guidelines
Submit
Final Submission Deadline: February 25, 2020
// $45 CENTER Members / $55 Non-Members
// 15-20 images from a complete or nearly complete body of work
// Project Statement limited to 325 words
ELIGIBILITY
• ELIGIBLE: All of CENTER’s Call for Entry opportunities accept submissions from international photographers and artists. Work can have been made at any time and work that has been submitted previously may be re-submitted. Work derived from all photographic processes is accepted, as well as mixed media that is photo-based. ONLY the Multimedia Award accepts video, multimedia files and/or still images for submission.
• NOT ELIGIBLE: If a project has been part of a major metropolitan museum one or two-person exhibition; published in book form by a major photographic publishing house with a print run of 2,000 or more; and/or the photographer is represented by a major international photographic agency. Applies to the Project Launch Grant, Project Development Grant and the me&EVE Award ONLY.
• FUNDS: Grant funds may be used for most expenses related to the project.
• CONTRACT: Grant recipients are required to sign a contract and must fulfill contractual obligations in order to receive the full funds. Submission to the Project Launch Grant, Project Development Grant and/or the me&EVE Award indicates acceptance of these terms.
If you have additional questions about your eligibility for a grant, please email us before submitting your application.
CRITERIA & THE JURY PROCESS
Q: WHAT ARE THE SELECTION CRITERIA?
A: 1) Projects, as well as all submitted text, should be examples of excellence within the discipline, both visually and conceptually.
2) The award winners should be at a place in their work and career where they can benefit from the exposure, networks, and opportunities that CENTER offers.
3) The photographer must be committed and able to ensure the advancement of the project with the grant funds and support received.
Q: DO YOU “PRE-SCREEN”?
A: No, all work submitted is seen by the jurors only.
Q: WHAT ARE JURORS LOOKING FOR?
A: The jurors are looking for cohesive, compelling bodies of work that are ready for international recognition.
Q: WILL I RECEIVE FEEDBACK ON THE WORK?
A: Due to the number of submissions the committee is unable to provide specific feedback at this time but we will let you know if the work advances to the higher rounds of judging.
Q: MAY I SEND MY BOOK, POSTER, EXHIBITION ANNOUNCEMENT, ETC.?
A: Websites, books, posters, announcements, and other materials will not be seen by the judges or reviewed for submission.
Q: CAN WE APPLY AS A DUO OR GROUP?
A: Yes, please use one artist’s name and information on the application, and in your project statement note that this is a collaboration and includes all names. Please note that winners will receive one slot at Review Santa Fe, so the group would sit together in front of each reviewer.
APPLICATION FAQS
Q: WHEN IS THE DEADLINE?
A: January 30, 2020 for discounted entry fees and February 25, 2020 for the final submission deadline.
Q: WHERE DO I APPLY?
A: You will apply on our online application that is sent to you once payment has been processed.
Q: WHY DO MY IMAGES NOT HAVE THE CORRECT COLOR OR CONTRAST AND LOOK VERY SMALL ON APPLICATION?
A: Once you have uploaded your images to the online application, you are now viewing them through an internet browser that does not recognize color profiles. Your images are unaltered by this process.
Q: DO I HAVE TO SUBMIT THE EXACT AMOUNT OF IMAGES PER THE GUIDELINES?
A: We will not disqualify entries that have less than the specified amount (15-20). However, do keep in mind that submitting fewer images may put you at a disadvantage.
Q: MAY I SUBMIT TWO OR MORE BODIES OF WORK?
A: Yes, you can submit more than one portfolio to the same category, however you must pay for an additional entry. THIS APPLIES TO ALL CATEGORIES FOR SUBMISSION
Q: MAY I ENTER WORK THAT HAS BEEN PUBLISHED IN A MAGAZINE?
A: You may submit work that has been published in a magazine to the Project Launch Grant and the me&EVE Award ONLY.
Q: MAY I COMBINE BLACK AND WHITE AND COLOR IMAGES INTO ONE BODY OF WORK?
A: Yes.
Q: WHAT ARE THE FILE REQUIREMENTS?
A: All images must be uploaded through our online system
• Submitting JPGs – size at 1400 pixels on the longest side with a minimum dpi of 72.
• To successfully order files during upload, we suggest you rename files before uploading them as they are uploaded and organized in alpha order. Begin the filename with a lower-case alphabetical letter. Include the title in the filename after the letter and underscore (ex: a_Title.jpg, b_Title.jpg, c_Title.jpg).
PROJECT STATEMENTS
The first sentence of your project statement should include a short synopsis of the project. Statements are limited to 325 words and should indicate the process or medium used as well as the final exhibition dimensions [ex. 8×10 black and white negative, 20×24 gelatin silver prints, or 35mm slides].
Q: HOW IMPORTANT IS MY PROJECT STATEMENT?
A: The project statement is very important and it will often move a submission forward in the judging or conversely, a poorly executed statement will eliminate the project.
Q: WHAT SHOULD THE STATEMENT ADDRESS?
A: The statement should address the “why” more than the “what.” For example, address why you decided to photograph the subject and what your photographs are meant to convey. You should also indicate the process and medium used.
Q: TO WHICH DIMENSIONS ARE YOU REFERRING TO INCLUDE IN THE PROJECT STATEMENT?
A: The dimensions of the final product. For instance, if you print 20″x24″ Cibachrome and are submitting 8″x10″ digital prints please indicate the final version of the work.
PLEASE VISIT OUR APPLICATION FAQ’S & GENERAL GUIDELINES PAGE FOR MORE INFORMATION. HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS? PLEASE CONTACT US.
Terms & Conditions
WHO CAN ENTER:
The Awards, Grants, and Review Santa Fe are open to submissions from all photographers, national and international. CENTER employees, board members, advisory council members, contest sponsors, and family members of the aforementioned may not apply to the Awards, Grants and/or Review Santa Fe Photo Festival. Previous CENTER cash award winners may enter but are ineligible to win first, second, third, or Honorable Mention again for up to 3 years. Honorable Mention finalists may enter and are eligible to win.
Application fees for all categories are non-refundable.
LIABILITY:
International submissions are welcome. International winners are responsible for the duties and shipping of any prizes awarded. Please note, CENTER is not liable for damage as a result of shipping, packaging or delivery work for exhibitions, Review Santa Fe or our Summer programs.
USAGE:
The photographer retains the rights to the images. By completing the application, the photographer grants CENTER permission to reproduce works from their submitted materials in connection with the administration, judging and promotion of CENTER, the CENTER Awards, Grants and portfolio review events. Permissible uses of the images submitted shall include their reproduction, distribution and display in CENTER exhibitions, multimedia presentations, and printed materials related to the promotion of CENTER and the CENTER Awards and events. CENTER shall have the right to grant permissions to the press and publicity agents in connection with the promotion of the CENTER Awards, exhibitions, and related events. All Grant recipients, including the Honorable Mentions, as well as the winners of the CENTER’s Choice Awards, are asked to donate a print to CENTER. Submission of an entry to these awards, grants or portfolio review, signifies acceptance of all conditions stated.
Submission entry to any of CENTER’s Awards, Grants or portfolio review, signifies acceptance of all the above conditions stated.
