Organizer Information
CENTER Santa Fe is a leading nonprofit organization based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, focused on promoting contemporary Photography and supporting both emerging and professional photographers. CENTER provides Award/Prize programs, curated exhibitions, educational programming, and professional development opportunities such as Review Santa Fe, connecting artists to curators, critics, and a global photography audience.Title & Description
PROJECT LAUNCH GRANT – CENTER Santa Fe Photography Awards 2026 The PROJECT LAUNCH GRANT supports the completion or near-completion of a documentary or fine art Photography series. Designed to accelerate project development, this grant provides a $5,000 USD package that includes professional guidance, exhibition opportunities, and media exposure. Applicants submit a cohesive series of 15–20 images accompanied by a concise project statement (max. 400 words). The program emphasizes contemporary artistic approaches, narrative depth, and technical mastery. Awardees receive the Project Advancement Package, including participation in Review Santa Fe, inclusion in group exhibitions at CENTER Santa Fe, online and printed publications in Lenscratch, and access to professional development seminars. This initiative amplifies visibility for photographers and fosters connections with curators, educators, and peers in the international photography community.Categories
- Photography
- Fine Art
- Documentary
- Contemporary Art
Eligibility
- Open to international photographers, emerging and professional.
- Individual submissions only.
- Projects must be original works; both complete and nearly completed series are eligible.
Program Benefits & Awards
Project Advancement Package:- $5,000 USD grant
- Group exhibition at CENTER Santa Fe
- Participation in Review Santa Fe Symposium
- Publication in Lenscratch online journal
- Access to professional development seminars
- Inclusion in printed Program Guide
- Inclusion in CENTER Online Gallery & Archive
Application Fee
- Entry fees: $35–$165 (members) / $45–$210 (non-members), varying by submission stage
- Discounts for CENTER Members
Application Requirements
- 15–20 images of the series (high-resolution, 300 dpi, JPEG/PNG)
- Project statement, max 400 words
- Contact information: email, phone, and mailing address
- Payment of the entry fee
How to Apply?
Online ApplicationKey Dates
- Application Deadline: 28 February 2026
- Review Santa Fe Symposium: October 22–25, 2026
- Group Exhibition: October 2026 at CENTER Santa Fe, Santa Fe, NM
Location
Santa Fe, New Mexico, United StatesAdditional Details
- Series must be documentary or fine art in nature; purely video or non-photographic works are not eligible.
- Selected works are exhibited at CENTER Santa Fe; artists are responsible for shipping costs.
- Grant recipients consent to promotional and publication use by CENTER Santa Fe.