Organizer Information
The JGS Fellowship for Photography is a prestigious grant program administered by the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) with generous support from The Joy of Giving Something (JGS). NYFA regularly revisits its guidelines to ensure clarity, accessibility, and the reduction of unintentional bias in its selection processes.
Title & Description
2026 JGS Fellowship for Photography.
This program provides a $8,000 unrestricted cash grant to five photography artists living and working in New York State, specifically outside the five boroughs of New York City. The fellowship recognizes excellence in both traditional and experimental photography, including light-based work and alternative processes where photographic techniques are pivotal to the practice.
Categories
Still Photography, Experimental Photography, Alternative Processes.
Eligibility
- Location: Applicants must be current full-time residents of New York State, living outside the five boroughs of NYC (Bronx, Kings, New York, Queens, and Richmond).
- Residency Duration: Must have maintained NYS residency for a minimum of 12 months at the time of the application deadline.
- Age: Must be 25 years of age or older by the application deadline.
- Student Status: Must not be enrolled in a degree-seeking program of any kind.
- Exclusions: Past recipients of the JGS Fellowship are ineligible. Past recipients of other NYFA grants may apply. NYFA employees and board members are ineligible.
- Medium Note: Only still photography is eligible; video or moving image works are not accepted.
Program Benefits and Awards
- Unrestricted Grant: Five selected Fellows will each receive a $8,000 cash grant.
- Professional Recognition: Fellows are selected through a rigorous three-round peer review process based on artistic merit, clarity, and innovation.
Fees
- Application Fee: None (Free to apply).
Application Requirements
- Work Samples: Up to 10 digital images (minimum 5 recommended) of completed work or completed pieces from an ongoing series. Work produced within the last five years is highly recommended.
- Metadata: Title, date, materials, and dimensions for each image.
- Work Sample Information: (Required) Max 250 words describing the context, concept, and execution of the work.
- Artist Statement: (Required) Max 250 words introduction to ideas, themes, and technical aspects of your practice.
- Cultural Statement: (Optional) Max 250 words describing how the work relates to a specific cultural tradition or lived experience.
How to Apply?
Applications are accepted exclusively online via the Submittable platform. Applicants must register for a free account to submit. Apply to the JGS Fellowship.
Key Dates
- Applications Open: Tuesday, March 24, 2026, 10:00 AM ET.
- Application Deadline: Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET.
- Notification: Summer 2026.
Location
United York State, USA (Excluding New York City).
Additional Details
Images should be submitted in JPG or JPEG format, ideally 2000 pixels on the longest side at 72 dpi. Once an application is submitted, no changes can be made.