Organizer Information
Triennale der Photographie Hamburg and the House of Photography / Deichtorhallen Hamburg, in partnership with the Europe-wide FUTURES Photography Platform, are prominent institutions in the contemporary photographic arts. The Triennale der Photographie Hamburg is a major international photography festival held every three years in Hamburg, Germany, presenting exhibitions, dialogues, and critical engagements with global photographic practice. The House of Photography at Deichtorhallen Hamburg, part of one of Europe’s largest exhibition spaces for contemporary art, is dedicated to fostering photography’s cultural discourse. Since 2018, both entities have been members of FUTURES — a Creative Europe supported platform that connects over 20 leading photography institutions to bolster emerging lens-based artists across Europe.
Title & Description
FUTURES Open Call 2026
This open call invites applications for the FUTURES Talents 2026 cohort, designed to identify, support, and expand the professional development of emerging and mid-career photographers and image-based artists. The program links selected talents to a Europe-wide network of curators, festivals, galleries, and institutions, offering tailored mentoring, networking, visibility, and opportunities throughout 2026. Candidates are expected to be actively developing a photographic or image-based practice and aspire to grow their artistic scope and professional connections.
Categories
- Photography
- Image-Based Art
- Interdisciplinary / Experimental practices related to image/media arts
Eligibility
- Photographers or artists with a lens-based or image-focused practice.
- Candidates should live in Germany or have a strong connection to the country.
- Designed for individuals at an early or mid-career stage willing to advance their practice through professional engagement and networking.
- No specific age limits are stipulated, but applicants should demonstrate active professional development.
Program Benefits & Awards
- €500 honorarium.
- Travel and accommodation for the annual FUTURES Event (autumn 2026).
- Travel and one-night accommodation for an onboarding meeting in Hamburg during the 9th Triennial of Photography Hamburg 2026.
- Individual mentoring provided by the Triennale and House of Photography.
- Participation in four FUTURES Conversations with industry experts.
- Eligibility to apply for the annual travelling exhibition with FUTURES member institutions.
- Access to a tutoring session upon request.
- Publication and visibility on the FUTURES website and related catalogues.
- Exposure through official social media channels and continued invitations to FUTURES network events.
- Continued access to an online learning programme developed with Magnum Photos.
- Ongoing participation and networking opportunities within the FUTURES community beyond the initial year.
No cash prize beyond the honorarium is specified; the award emphasises professional development, visibility, and institutional engagement.
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Short CV outlining key career milestones.
- Artist statement describing practice and intent.
- Works or project samples with images and captions or brief descriptions.
- Documentation of professional activity over the last three years (e.g., exhibitions, publications).
Participation is by document submission only; portfolios or physical work submissions are not required at this stage.
How to Apply?
Submit your application as a single PDF (max. 3 MB) to info@phototriennale.de.
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 11 January 2026.
- Notification Date: Approximately 1 February 2026.
- Annual FUTURES Event: Autumn 2026 (exact dates to be confirmed).
Location
Hamburg, Germany
Additional Details
- This open call is part of the larger FUTURES Photography Platform, funded by Creative Europe, meant to bolster European photographic practices through institutional collaboration.
- Interdisciplinary approaches to photography and image arts are welcomed.
- Mentorship, networking, and visibility opportunities extend beyond the core program year, providing ongoing engagement with the FUTURES ecosystem.
- Selected artists should be prepared for travel commitments and engagement in scheduled events.