Short Description

The community of heirs of Elfriede Mejchar (Susanne Gamauf, Charlotte Gohs, Fritz Simak, Katalin and Robert Zahornicky) therefore endowed a prize for photography in the amount of Euro 7,000 (seven thousand) in memory of the work of this extraordinary Austrian photographer, in order to encourage and appreciate in their spirit all those who are concerned with the media-specific essence of photography as a visualization of what is which is.

The Elfriede Mejchar Prize for Photography was awarded for the first time on the occasion of Elfriede Mejchar’s 100th birthday in 2024 as part of the memorial exhibition at the Landesgalerie Niederösterreich in Krems. The prize will be awarded every two years until further notice.

Eligibility

Photographers who hold Austrian citizenship or have had their permanent residence in Austria for at least three years are eligible to apply. Their photographic work must focus—following the spirit of Elfriede Mejchar’s work—on what is inherently specific to the medium of photography.

Submission Requirements

Texts and images must be submitted as a single PDF document (maximum size: 10 MB) with the following filename: LastNameFirstName_Elfriede‐Mejchar‐Preis2026

The PDF must include:

  • A biography, including all personal information (date of birth, address, phone number, website) – maximum one A4 page
  • Proof of residence (e.g., Meldezettel)
  • Statement or short texts on the submitted work series – maximum one A4 page
  • Up to 20 works with the following information: title/series, year, size, technique

How to Apply

Submissions can be made in German or English and must be submitted exclusively in digital form to the email address: einreichung@elfriede‐mejchar‐fotopreis.at

Program Benefits & Awards

The prize money amounts to €7,000 and will be transferred to the designated bank account one day before the ceremony.

FLUSS—the Lower Austrian Initiative for Photo and Media Art—with support from the Province of Lower Austria, will handle the entire process (call for entries, jurying, and award ceremony) and will also organise an exhibition at Schloss Wolkersdorf in the Weinviertel from 30 May 2026 to 12 July 2026 (opening: 30 May 2026).
The show will feature works by the prizewinner and the shortlisted artists.

Entry Fee

None

Location

Wolkersdorf, Austria

Timeline

  • Application Deadline: 25 October 2025

Website Link: https://www.elfriede-mejchar-fotopreis.at/