The Project Launch Grant is provided to THREE outstanding photographers working on finalizing their fine art series or documentary project. This grant provides financial support to help complete or disseminate their work, as well as creating and providing platforms for exposure and professional development opportunities. The grant funds projects that have not been exhibited or published.
2021 Call for Entry information & deadlines TBA. Please find the 2020 winners, online gallery, and juror below.
General Application Guidelines
Submit
Early Discount Deadline: January 30, 2020
Final Submission Deadline: February 25, 2020
// $45 CENTER Members / $55 Non-Members
// Submit 15-20 images from a complete or nearly complete body of work and a Project Statement limited to 325 words
ELIGIBILITY
• GRANT REQUIREMENTS: The Grant and funds are provided to a work-in-progress only.
• ELIGIBLE: 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. 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: Provided Grant funds may be used for most expenses related to the project. Review more details regarding grant funds on our FAQ page.
• 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: WHAT ARE THE FILE REQUIREMENTS?
A: All images must be uploaded through our online system. When submitting JPGs, please 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].
Q: WHERE DO I APPLY?
A: You will apply within our online application that is sent to you via email once your 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 open 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, all types of image processes are allowed into 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 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 & WHAT SHOULD IT ADDRESS?
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. 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.
Q: WHERE DO I UPLOAD MY STATEMENT?
A: You will upload your artist statement within our online application form.
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.
Visit our application FAQ’s & guidelines page for more information. Have additional questions? Contact us directly.
Terms & Conditions
As we are a small 501c3 non-profit organization, application fees for all categories are non-refundable after the submission deadline.
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 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, or Honorable Mention again for up to 3 years. Honorable Mention finalists may enter and are eligible to win.
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 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 Awards, Grants, 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. Each year, all of the Award and Grant recipients, including the Honorable Mentions, are asked to donate a print to CENTER.
Submission entry to any of CENTER’s Awards, Grants, or portfolio review, signifies acceptance of all the above conditions stated.
