The Project Launch Grant supports a complete or nearly completed documentary or fine art series. The grant provides financial support and platforms for professional development opportunities for one photographer.
From the project statement – “Our system has failed us, but there is another way. One of resurrection. Resurrection of our soil and the biodiversity of our lands. Resurrection of our communities, our connection to the land, and our physical well-being. A way that nourishes our bodies while saving our earth, and leaves no one behind. This project is a celebration of those who share that vision and dare to act on it.”
Grace Deveney is a curator and art historian. Previously, she was the Associate Curator of Prospect.5: Yesterday we said tomorrow, a New Orleans-based contemporary art triennial (2021). Until 2019, she was Assistant Curator at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago. Exhibitions at the MCA include Christina Quarles (2021) Direct Message: Art, Language, and Power (2019) and Groundings 
(2018; with Tara Aisha Willis), as well as presentations of the work of Paul Pfeiffer, Amanda Williams, and Ania Jaworska. She is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Art History at Northwestern University.
General Application Guidelines
SUBMIT
• 15 – 20 images
• Project statement limited to 325-words
EXTENDED DEADLINE: March 3, 2022
APPLY NOW
ELIGIBILITY
All of CENTER’s Call for Entries opportunities accept submissions from national and international photographers and lens-based artists. Work can have been made at any time and work that has been previously submitted may be re-submitted as we invite new jurors each year.
• GRANT REQUIREMENTS: The Grant and funds are provided to a complete or nearly complete project.
• NOT ELIGIBLE: If the photographer is represented by a major international photographic agency.
• FUNDS: Provided grant funds may be used for most expenses related to the project.
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: WHERE CAN I ACCESS MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE JURORS?
A: Access the extended juror bios webpage to read each juror’s full biography.
Q: WILL I RECEIVE FEEDBACK ON THE WORK?
A: Due to the number of submissions the committee and staff are unable to provide specific feedback at this time.
Q: MAY I SEND MY BOOK, POSTER, EXHIBITION ANNOUNCEMENT, ETC. FOR SUBMISSION?
A: Websites, prints, books, posters, announcements, and other physical/emailed materials sent to us will are not be reviewed for submission to our Call for Entries. You must submit your work within the online submission portal for your work to be reviewed by the cateogries juror.
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. To ensure a blind jury process, please do not list group of artists’ names in the project statement. 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 27, 2022 for discounted entry fees and February 27, 2022 for the final payment and submission deadline. The online submission system will be open through 11:59 PM MT on March 3, 2022.
Q: WHERE DO I APPLY?
A: You will apply within our online submission system that is sent to you via email once your payment has been processed.
Q: WHAT ARE THE FILE REQUIREMENTS?
A: All images and files must be uploaded through our online submission system. We now accept JPG, PDF, TIFF & PNG files for all applications. When submitting JPGs, please size at 1400 pixels on the longest side with a minimum dpi of 125.
Q: HOW SHOULD I LABEL MY FILES?
A: 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].
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 open for submission.
Q: MAY I COMBINE BLACK & WHITE AND COLOR IMAGES INTO ONE BODY OF WORK?
A: Yes, all types of image processes are allowed within each submission.
PROJECT STATEMENTS:
The first sentence of your project statement should include a short synopsis of the project. Statements are limited to 325-words. As our jurying process is blind, please do not include your name, any website links, or emails in your statement.
Q: WHERE DO I UPLOAD MY STATEMENT?
A: You will upload your project statement within our online application form that is provided via email.
Q: HOW IMPORTANT IS THE PROJECT STATEMENT & WHAT SHOULD IT ADDRESS?
A: The project statement is very important and will often move a submission forward in the judging process or conversely, a poorly executed statement will eliminate the project. The first sentence of your statement should include a short synopsis of the project. The overall 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.
Q: TO WHICH DIMENSIONS ARE YOU REFERRING TO?
A: The dimensions of the final product when ready for exhibition. For instance, if you print 20″x24″ Cibachrome and are submitting 8″x10″ digital prints please indicate the final version of the work.
Q: WHERE CAN I INCLUDE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROCESS AND MEDIUM OF MY WORK?
A: We have included a new section for you to indicate the process and the medium used for your project, series, singular images, or multimedia project. Previously requested in the project statement section, we have moved this inquiry to its own section to avoid taking away from the project statements’ word count.
Visit our application FAQ’s & guidelines page for more information. Have additional questions? Contact us directly.
Grace Deveney – David C. and Sarajean Ruttenberg Associate Curator of Photography and Media, Art Institute of Chicago
