Organizer Information
The Académie des Beaux-Arts is one of the five academies that form the prestigious Institut de France in Paris. Operating under the protection of the President of the French Republic, the institution promotes artistic creation, cultural heritage preservation, and support for artists across multiple disciplines. Through prizes, grants, residencies, exhibitions, and partnerships with major cultural organizations, the Academy plays a significant role in fostering artistic excellence in France and internationally.
The Marc Ladreit de Lacharrière Photography Prize was established in 2007 by the Académie des Beaux-Arts with the support of businessman, philanthropist, and Academy member Marc Ladreit de Lacharrière. The prize is supported by the Fondation Marc Ladreit de Lacharrière, which promotes cultural diversity, artistic creation, and access to culture. Since its creation, the award has recognized photographers working across a wide range of styles, themes, and visual approaches, helping them realize ambitious long-term projects.
Title & Description
Marc Ladreit de Lacharrière Photography Prize 2026
The Marc Ladreit de Lacharrière Photography Prize 2026 is an international photography project grant designed to support an experienced photographer in the development of an ambitious original photographic project. Unlike traditional photography competitions that reward completed work, this prize functions as a production grant, enabling the selected photographer to create a large-scale body of work over a two-year period.
The program encourages complete artistic freedom regarding subject matter, conceptual framework, visual language, and photographic methodology. Applicants may propose documentary, conceptual, experimental, fine art, landscape, social, environmental, cultural, or interdisciplinary photographic projects, provided they demonstrate originality, artistic quality, and the potential for significant development.
The winning project receives substantial financial support and culminates in a major exhibition at the Pavillon Comtesse de Caen within the Institut de France in Paris. The prize therefore offers both production funding and a prestigious public presentation platform.
Since becoming a biennial award in 2018, the prize has continued to strengthen its reputation as one of France’s most significant photography grants for established photographers seeking to undertake long-term creative research and production.
Categories
- Photography
- Documentary Photography
- Fine Art Photography
- Conceptual Photography
- Contemporary Visual Arts
- Photojournalism
- Landscape Photography
- Social Documentary
- Experimental Photography
- Artistic Research Projects
Eligibility
- Open to professional and established photographers.
- No age restriction.
- Open to French photographers.
- Open to foreign photographers currently working in France.
- Applicants must propose an original photographic project.
- Both individual photographers and photographic authors are eligible.
- Applicants should demonstrate a professional artistic trajectory and significant photographic practice.
Emerging photographers without an established professional background may not be competitive, as the prize specifically targets experienced practitioners.
Program Benefits & Awards
- Total grant of €30,000.
- Financial support is distributed in two installments:
- €15,000 was awarded during the official prize ceremony on 18 November 2026.
- €15,000 was awarded following the mid-project presentation to the jury.
- Two years were dedicated to developing the proposed photographic project.
- Professional recognition from one of France’s leading cultural institutions.
- Inclusion in communications by the Académie des Beaux-Arts and its partners.
- Opportunity to present the completed project in a major exhibition.
- Solo exhibition at the Pavillon Comtesse de Caen, Institut de France, Paris, in November 2028.
- Visibility among curators, collectors, institutions, publishers, and photography professionals.
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
Phase 1: Online Submission
Applicants must submit:
- Valid identification document (required for French nationals).
- Portfolio of 15 photographs selected from one or multiple photographic series.
- Project proposal and statement of intent (maximum two typed pages).
- Must include a brief five-line project summary at the beginning.
- Explain the project concept and motivation for applying.
- Project timeline and production schedule.
- Technical details regarding the final presentation:
- Number of prints.
- Nature of outputs.
- Print formats.
- Curriculum Vitae (maximum two pages).
Phase 2: Shortlisted Candidates Only
Preselected applicants will be invited to submit:
- Printed versions of the textual materials.
- Five photographic prints selected from the submitted portfolio (maximum size: 24 × 32 cm).
- Optional publication materials (books, catalogs, etc.).
- Prepaid return shipping envelope for the return of materials.
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 15 June 2026
- Notification of preselected candidates: 15 July 2026
- Official award ceremony at the Académie des Beaux-Arts: 18 November 2026
Location
France
Additional Details
- The prize is awarded every two years.
- Projects may address any theme and employ any photographic approach.
- The jury is chaired by the Permanent Secretary of the Académie des Beaux-Arts.
- Jury members include representatives of the Academy’s Photography Section, members of other artistic sections, and a representative of the patron foundation.
- The prize prioritizes originality, artistic vision, feasibility, and the potential impact of the proposed project.
- The award is widely recognized within the French and European photography sectors.
- The completed project is expected to demonstrate substantial artistic development over the two-year production period.
- The exhibition at the Institut de France represents a significant professional milestone and can contribute to future publications, exhibitions, and institutional collaborations.