Organizer Information
Photowork Foundation is a U.S.-based nonprofit organization committed to supporting photographers working within a post-documentary framework. The foundation focuses on advancing lens-based practices that critically engage with contemporary social realities while expanding the formal and conceptual boundaries of documentary photography. Through fellowships, mentorship structures, and publication-oriented outcomes, Photowork Foundation fosters rigorous artistic development and long-term project cultivation. Its programs emphasize sustained engagement, depth of research, and the transformation of photographic projects into cohesive book forms.
Title & Description
Photowork Senior Fellowship 2026
The Photowork Senior Fellowship awards three $10,000 grants to photographers who demonstrate a sustained commitment to post-documentary photography and show readiness to develop a comprehensive body of work into a book maquette under professional mentorship.
The fellowship is specifically structured to support artists who are at an advanced stage of a long-term photographic project and are prepared to refine, edit, and shape that work into a coherent publication format. A central component of the program is mentorship: selected fellows will work closely with an experienced photography mentor to develop a book maquette—an editorially structured mock-up representing the conceptual and narrative arc of a finished photobook.
Rather than funding isolated image production, the fellowship supports artists who have already built substantial bodies of work and are ready to engage critically with sequencing, narrative structure, visual coherence, and publication strategy. The emphasis is placed on artistic maturity, conceptual rigor, and the ability to translate documentary inquiry into a refined book object.
Categories
- Photography
- Post-Documentary Photography
- Documentary Practice
- Lens-Based Art
Eligibility
- Open to photographers (international eligibility — no geographic restriction stated).
- Intended for senior or established photographers with a sustained commitment to post-documentary practice.
- Applicants must demonstrate readiness and capability to work with a mentor.
- A comprehensive, cohesive body of work is required (not early-stage or fragmented projects).
There is no publicly stated age limit.
Program Benefits & Awards
- Three Fellowships are awarded annually
- $10,000 grant per selected photographer
- Structured mentorship with an experienced photography professional
- Development of a book maquette for a comprehensive body of work
- Professional recognition through the Photowork Foundation network
The fellowship prioritizes editorial development and publication strategy rather than exhibition-based outcomes. The mentorship component is central to the program’s structure.
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
Applicants are expected to submit:
- Completed online application form
- Artist CV
- Artist statement
- Project statement
- Cohesive portfolio from the comprehensive body of work
- Contact information
Submissions must demonstrate long-term commitment to the project and readiness for editorial refinement.
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Applications Deadline: 16 March 2026
- Fellows Announced: April 2026
Location
New York, United States
Additional Details
The fellowship focuses specifically on post-documentary photography, a practice that moves beyond traditional reportage and incorporates conceptual, hybrid, or research-based methodologies. The central deliverable is a book maquette, positioning the photobook as the primary artistic outcome.
Applicants should ensure that their submission reflects:
- Depth of research
- Conceptual clarity
- Visual coherence
- Editorial readiness
- Long-term engagement with subject matter
This is a competitive fellowship aimed at photographers who are prepared to translate an established body of work into a publication-ready structure.