Short Description
Silver Eye promotes the power of contemporary photography as a fine art medium by creating original exhibitions, unique educational programming, and a space for artists to learn, create, and connect through our digital lab and education center, The Lab @ Silver Eye. Our programs are dedicated to supporting the work of emerging, mid-career, and under-recognized artists and sharing that work with our diverse audience in engaging and meaningful ways.
Eligibility
Photographers who have been a featured artist in a solo or group show (of up to eight artists) at Silver Eye’s main gallery in the last four years are not eligible to apply to Fellowship. Silver Eye staff and their relatives, board members, current interns and scholars are not eligible to apply. If the criteria above does not apply, all U.S. and international amateur and professional photographers, age 18 and older at the time of submission, may apply.
Only residents of Pennsylvania or photographs made in Pennsylvania are eligible for the Keystone Award and the Keystone Honorable Mentions.
Submission Requirements
-Work sample of twenty images or fewer
-One-page Artist’s Statement in PDF format
-One-page Artist bio and/or CV in PDF format
-One page checklist that includes the file number, title, and date of all submitted images.
You may submit up to 20 images and up to a total of 30MB. Image files should be JPGs or a single PDF file. Image files must be titled with the image number (01-20) and the artist’s last name. For example: 02_smith.jpg
How to Apply
Online Application
Program Benefits & Awards
All awardees and honorable mentions will be included in the Fellowship 26 exhibition in May, 2026. Awardees and honorable mentions will receive curatorial support to ensure that the exhibition provides new opportunities for creative growth. Awardees and honorable mentions receive a cash prize and free production support from the Lab @ Silver Eye for the exhibition.
The Fellowship Award recognizes a rising talent or established photographer from anywhere in the world, and the Keystone Award is given to an exceptional photographer living or making work in the state of Pennsylvania.
Fellowship Award: $1,000 cash prize
Keystone Award: $1,000 cash prize
Honorable Mentions: $500 prizes
This year’s awards will be juried by artist, author, and co-founder of Spaces Corners, Melissa Catanese; artist, filmmaker, educator, and writer Anthony Francis; and Jessica Johnston, Executive Director of the Visual Studies Workshop, Rochester, NY.
Entry Fee
Fellowship Fees: $40 for one submission of 20 images
Location
Pittsburgh, PA, United States
Timeline
- Application Deadline: 19 November 2025
Website Link: https://silvereye.org/
