Organizer Information
The opportunity is organized by The Print Center, one of the oldest and most respected nonprofit institutions in the United States dedicated to photography and printmaking. Founded more than a century ago, The Print Center has continuously supported contemporary artists through exhibitions, publications, educational initiatives, public programming, and artist-centered opportunities.
Based in Philadelphia, The Print Center has built an international reputation for championing innovative approaches to photography and printmaking while fostering dialogue around contemporary visual culture. Its longstanding ANNUAL competition is considered one of the most prestigious and longest-running competitions for photographs and prints in the United States. Through its exhibitions, artist talks, publications, gallery programs, and educational outreach, the organization has played an important role in advancing experimental and interdisciplinary artistic practices.
The 101st ANNUAL International Competition continues this legacy by inviting artists from around the world to submit works that challenge and expand traditional understandings of photography and printmaking. The competition is supported by prominent curators, museums, acquisition funds, and arts professionals who contribute awards, exhibition opportunities, and professional development support for selected artists.
This year’s jurors are internationally recognized professionals:
- Pepe Coronado – Director and Master Printer of Coronado Print Studio in Austin, Texas, known for his collaborative and socially engaged printmaking practice.
- Shana Lopes – Assistant Curator of Photography at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, with extensive curatorial experience in photography and contemporary art.
Title & Description
101st ANNUAL International Competition – Photography & Printmaking Open Call 2026
The 101st ANNUAL International Competition is an open call for artists working with photography and/or printmaking in experimental, contemporary, and interdisciplinary ways. Organized by The Print Center, the competition seeks to highlight artists whose practices expand the possibilities of photographic and print-based media through innovative content, conceptual approaches, material experimentation, and hybrid processes.
Open to local, national, and international artists, the competition welcomes both traditional and boundary-pushing practices. Artists working across 2D and 3D formats are encouraged to apply, including artist books, installation-based projects, sculptural print works, mixed-media photography, and other interdisciplinary approaches that incorporate photography or printmaking as critical elements of the work.
The Print Center emphasizes artistic diversity, social engagement, and equity in contemporary art. The organization particularly values practices that amplify multiple voices, address urgent cultural and political questions, and contribute to conversations surrounding representation, justice, and creative experimentation.
A total of 25 Semifinalists and 10 Finalists will be selected by the jurors. Selected artists become eligible for a wide range of exhibition opportunities, acquisition awards, cash prizes, material awards, digital presentations, online portfolios, and professional consultations.
Three Finalists will receive major Solo Exhibition Awards presented at The Print Center in Philadelphia between January and March 2027. These exhibitions will be fully curated and professionally promoted, offering artists substantial exposure to curators, collectors, institutions, and contemporary art audiences.
In addition to the exhibitions, finalists and semifinalists may receive institutional acquisition awards from museums, professional review opportunities, publication exposure, online portfolio presentations, and financial awards supporting their ongoing artistic practices.
Categories
- Photography
- Printmaking
- Visual Art
- Contemporary Art
- Artist Books
- Installation
- Mixed Media
- Multimedia
- Experimental Photography
- Interdisciplinary Arts
- Sculpture
- Paper-based Art
- Digital Art
- Video
- New Media
- Conceptual Art
Eligibility
This competition is open internationally. Eligible applicants include:
- Emerging artists
- Mid-career artists
- Established artists
- Local, national, and international artists
- Artists working independently or collectively
Applicants must use photography and/or printmaking as essential components of their artistic practice.
Eligible works include:
- 2D artworks
- 3D artworks
- Artist books
- Video works
- Installation works
- Experimental and hybrid media
Additional eligibility requirements:
- Submitted work must have been completed within the last three years.
- Artists may submit up to five images or videos.
- Only one submission per applicant is permitted.
- Former ANNUAL Semifinalists and Finalists are also eligible to apply.
The Print Center strongly encourages participation from artists of diverse cultural backgrounds, races, religions, sexual orientations, and gender identities.
Program Benefits & Awards
Selected artists become eligible for numerous awards and professional opportunities, including:
Exhibition Opportunities
- Three Solo Exhibitions at The Print Center (Finalists only)
- Digital exhibition presentation in The Print Center galleries
- Online portfolio exhibitions for Semifinalists and Finalists
- Artist talks and public programming opportunities
Cash & Material Awards
- Callan/McNamara Award – $1,000
- The Olcott Family Award – $500
- The Jacqueline L. Zemel Prize for Printmaking – $500
- Awagami Paper Award
- Additional material prizes
Museum Acquisition Awards
- Stinnett Philadelphia Museum of Art Collection Award
- Art Museum of West Virginia University Purchase Award
Professional Development Opportunities
- MVS Project Review Award featuring a private consultation with Mary Virginia Swanson
- Curatorial collaboration with The Print Center staff
- Professional photographic documentation of exhibitions
- International press and marketing exposure
- Printed exhibition brochure publication
- Gallery Store representation opportunities
Exhibition Support
- Curatorial support
- Exhibition installation and deinstallation
- Gallery signage and labels
- Insurance coverage while artworks are on-site
- Extensive PR and marketing campaigns
- Social media promotion
- Dedicated exhibition webpages
- Press outreach to thousands of media contacts
Application Fee
- Entry Fee: $45 USD
- The fee covers submission of up to five images or videos.
- Entry fees directly support exhibition production and public programming at The Print Center.
Application Requirements
- Up to five images and/or videos
- Artwork information for each file:
- Title
- Date
- Medium
- Dimensions or duration
- Optional artwork description (up to 1,000 characters)
Accepted file formats:
Images
- JPG
- PNG
- GIF
- Maximum 5 MB each
Videos
- MOV
- WMV
- FLV
- MP4
- Maximum 250 MB each
Applicants should ensure that their SlideRoom account includes updated contact information, as notifications will be sent via email connected to the account.
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Submission Deadline: 18 June 2026
- Notification of Semifinalists & Finalists: 11 September 2026
- Solo Exhibitions & Digital Exhibition: January – March 2027
- Online Portfolio Launch: March 2027
Location
Philadelphia, United States
Additional Details
The ANNUAL competition has developed a strong reputation for discovering and supporting artists working at the forefront of photography and printmaking. Artists selected for the competition gain significant professional visibility through exhibitions, museum connections, online presentations, and curatorial engagement.
The Print Center manages extensive promotional campaigns for exhibiting artists, including press releases distributed to more than 2,500 media outlets, email newsletters reaching over 10,000 subscribers, and social media promotion to more than 22,000 followers.
Artists selected for Solo Exhibitions will collaborate closely with The Print Center’s curatorial team on exhibition design and presentation. However, exhibiting artists are responsible for shipping, framing, and transportation costs not explicitly covered by the organization.
Works sold during the exhibitions or through acquisition awards are subject to a 50% sales commission retained by The Print Center.