Organizer Information
The prize is a high-profile partnership between Photo Museum Ireland (the national center for contemporary photography), the international law firm Taylor Wessing, and the charity Business to Arts. Photo Museum Ireland is dedicated to fostering the excellence and diversity of Irish lens-based media, providing a national platform for artists through world-class exhibitions and educational programs. Taylor Wessing brings a long-standing global tradition of supporting photography, notably through their famous portrait prize in the UK.
Title & Description
The Taylor Wessing Irish Photo Prize 2026
The inaugural edition of this annual prize is themed "Community | Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine" (meaning: It is in each other’s shadow that we live). Artists are invited to submit visual reflections on connection, belonging, and shared life in contemporary Ireland. The prize seeks to investigate the visible and invisible bonds that tie people together, encouraging entries that range from intimate portraits to explorations of socio-political issues shaping modern Irish communal life.
Categories
- Photography & Lens-Based Media: The prize is open to all photographic genres, including:
- Portraiture
- Documentary
- Conceptual
- Experimental practices
Eligibility
- Nationality/Residency: Open to photographers and lens-based artists who are Irish citizens living abroad, or any artist currently based on the island of Ireland (Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland).
- Age: Applicants must be 18 years or older on January 1, 2025.
- Career Stage: Open to artists at all stages of their careers, from emerging talent to established professionals.
Program Benefits & Awards
With a total prize fund of €25,000, the awards include:
- First Prize: €10,000 cash prize.
- Runners-Up: Two awards of €2,500 each.
- Irish Photo Bursary: A separate €10,000 award specifically for an artist from an underrepresented community to develop their practice.
- Exhibition: Winning and shortlisted works will feature in a major public exhibition at Photo Museum Ireland (April–May 2026).
- Honorarium: Up to 30 shortlisted artists will receive a €100 exhibiting honorarium.
- Acquisition: The first prize and runner-up works will join the Taylor Wessing Irish Photo Prize collection.
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Image Submissions: Each artist may upload up to three images.
- Artist Statement: A description for each submitted image.
- Biography: A summary of the artist's background and practice to date.
- Bursary Applicants: Those applying for the €10,000 bursary must also provide a proposal on how they would use the funds to further their practice.
- Technical: Images must be titled in the format: Image Title, Artist Name, Year, Image Description.
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 11 January 2026
- Jury Selection: February 2026
- Shortlist Announcement: March 2026
- Exhibition Dates: April 18 – May 24, 2026
Location
Dublin, Ireland
Additional Details
The judging panel features esteemed voices in Irish culture and photography, including Fintan O'Toole (Writer and Critic), Anne Nwakalor (Editor and Curator), and Trish Lambe (Artistic Director of Photo Museum Ireland). This jury looks for technical skill, ethical representation, and work that conveys a powerful story or atmosphere relative to the Irish experience.