Organizer Information
The Design Trust for Public Space is a New York City–based nonprofit organization that works to improve the quality and accessibility of the city’s public realm through research, design, advocacy, and collaborative projects. Its programs bring together designers, artists, community organizations, government agencies, and residents to address challenges affecting New York City’s streets, parks, plazas, and other shared environments. The organization’s Photo Urbanism Program, founded in 2001, supports photographers whose work examines and documents New York City’s public spaces, using photography to understand the city and communicate ideas about its urban environment.
The 2026–2027 Photo Urbanism Fellowship is connected to the Design Trust’s Untaped project, which examines regulatory barriers that make it difficult for cultural organizations and community groups to organize arts, educational, and cultural activities in public spaces. The project advocates for a simpler permitting system and greater opportunities for New Yorkers to activate shared spaces. Through the fellowship, photography is positioned as both an artistic practice and a form of urban documentation and advocacy.
Title & Description
2026–2027 Photo Urbanism Fellowship
The Design Trust is seeking photography project proposals for its 2026–2027 Photo Urbanism Fellowship. The fellowship focuses on the theme of open and communal use of public space, asking photographers to document the ways in which New York City’s parks, plazas, open streets, sidewalks, and other public spaces function as places for arts, culture, education, celebration, and community connection.
The selected Fellow will develop a self-directed photography project documenting the role of public spaces as sociocultural commons. Projects may explore how artists, cultural organizations, educators, community members, local businesses, and other groups transform shared spaces into places of belonging, creativity, learning, and connection. Particular interest is placed on historically marginalized neighborhoods and on the everyday activities and collective efforts that make public spaces more welcoming, accessible, and equitable.
The fellowship is intended to create a compelling visual record of the many events and activities taking place throughout New York City’s public realm, ranging from open-street programs and farmers’ markets to live music, cultural programming, educational activities, and other community gatherings.
The selected photographer will devote the majority of the fellowship to developing the project, including photography, image editing, programming, and exhibition planning. The Fellow will also participate in mentorship and educational activities with young photographers and contribute to a public program connected to the project.
The fellowship culminates in a solo exhibition and a final body of photographic work. Through the broader Untaped initiative, the resulting work may also contribute to conversations about equitable public-space policy and the importance of cultural programming in New York City.
Categories
- Photography
- Visual Art
- Documentary Photography
- Urban Photography
- Social Practice / Community-Based Art
- Public Space / Urbanism
Eligibility
- Must be at least 21 years old.
- Must be legally eligible to work in the United States.
- Must be based in New York City.
- Must be available to participate in meetings with the Design Trust, CUNY Macaulay Honors College, and the Youth Photography Workshop Intensive Teaching Fellow.
- Must be able to commit to a nine-month fellowship, beginning October 1, 2026.
- Full-time students are not eligible because of the potential time commitment involved.
- Part-time students may apply.
- Applicants with approximately 5–7 years of photography experience are preferred.
- Demonstrated experience or interest in teaching photography, working with youth or college students, or leading youth engagement is preferred.
The fellowship is specifically designed for photographers who can undertake a self-directed project focused on New York City’s public spaces. Because the project requires extensive local research, photography, meetings, and participation in fellowship activities, applicants must be based in New York City.
Program Benefits & Awards
- $10,000 stipend for the nine-month fellowship.
- A solo exhibition at the conclusion of the fellowship.
- Opportunities for feedback and professional development through two critiques arranged by the Design Trust with local photographers.
- Support from the Design Trust as a resource and thought partner throughout the project.
- The opportunity to participate as a Visiting Critic during the Youth Photography Workshop Intensive for six CUNY Macaulay Honors College undergraduate students.
- An opportunity to organize or participate in at least one public program related to the project, such as a talk or panel discussion.
- Professional experience developing a substantial, self-directed photography project from proposal through exhibition.
- The opportunity to contribute to a visual archive documenting cultural and community activity in New York City public spaces.
The fellowship requires the selected artist to allocate approximately 85% of fellowship time to project development, 10% to mentorship of young photographers, and 5% to administrative responsibilities, including meetings, invoicing, and expense tracking.
Fellowship Deliverables
- One comprehensive project proposal.
- A final solo exhibition.
- A written description of the completed work/project.
- At least five final images, provided in both digital and print formats, with final print size to be determined.
- Participation as a Visiting Critic during the Youth Photography Workshop Intensive.
- At least one program connected to the project, such as a talk or panel.
Application Fee
None
How to Apply?
All application materials must be submitted by email to: fellowship@designtrust.org
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 2 September 2026
- Winner announcement: 28 September 2026
- Youth Photography Workshop Intensive: April 21–29, 2027
- Final solo exhibition: June 2027
Location
New York City, New York, United States
Additional Details
The 2026–2027 fellowship is particularly relevant to photographers interested in urban life, public space, community engagement, documentary practice, cultural programming, and social equity.
The fellowship is closely tied to the Design Trust’s Untaped initiative, which investigates the regulatory obstacles that restrict the ability of organizations and community groups to use public spaces for cultural and educational programming. The project argues that active public spaces contribute to social cohesion, local economic development, public health and safety, and access to arts and culture.
The selected Fellow will therefore be expected to approach the subject not simply as conventional street or architectural photography, but as an exploration of how people collectively use and transform public space. Applicants should demonstrate a strong personal photographic approach and propose a project that can generate a coherent body of work over the nine-month period.
A diverse jury of creatives, photographers, and Design Trust community members will select the Fellow. The jury is still being formed, and the call identifies Nathan Kensinger, the 2024–2025 Photo Urbanism Fellow, among the anticipated jury participants.
The fellowship is supported in part by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and the New York State Council on the Arts.
Important: The deadline is September 2, 2026, so applicants should allow sufficient time to prepare the three-image portfolio, 300-word project proposal, 150-word artist statement, one-page resume, image list, and two references.