A collection of resources for emerging photographers, with links to jobs, funding, residencies and training opportunities. We often re-post opportunities on Twitter and Facebook, and through our occasional newsletter so do follow us/sign up.
NEW: UK Covid-19 Freelance Artist Resources List
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Training & Masterclasses
Magnum run a number of fantastic theory and practice workshops.
The Guardian run a number of masterclasses throughout the year.
The Barbican have a 12 week young photographers programme for 14-25 year olds.
Studiobook. An intensive development programme designed for early to mid-career artists.
Wysing Arts Centre and partners. Invite applications from artists for Syllabus III; a peer-led alternative learning programme in its third year that will support ten artists across ten months.
Rory Peck Training Fund will cover professional courses in disaster training and emergency first aid.
Funding & Jobs
The Center for Fine Art Photography (US) have an open call for international artists to be considered for their group exhibitions.
Photocontest Insider have an article on the magazines that emerging photographers should consider approaching for publication.
Grants
The Arts Council have a new fund – Developing your Creative Practice – designed to support the production of new work.
Emergency and Crisis Grants are available from the Rory Peck Trust for photojournalists, funds are primarily for medical and rehabilitation costs, emergency subsistence, legal advice, and relocation costs.
New Art West Midlands post opportunities, and information about their Engine and Grain bursary open to artists living and working in the West Midlands region.
Women Photograph. Project grants for female, female-identifying, and nonbinary photographers.
The Firecracker Photographic Grant is an annual award providing funding for a female photographer to aid with the completion of a documentary photographic project.
Awards & Contests
Photoworks Picturing England’s High Street is a three year project which will deliver six photographer-in-residence programmes at six high street locations across England, as well as artist mentoring and a digital nationwide mass participation project.
The Ampersand/Photoworks Fellowship will provide a transformative opportunity for a mid-career artist to complete a new body of work. Support includes a £15,000 award, mentoring and curatorial support, a dedicated public programme and digital content with international reach, production budget and touring exhibition.
The Jerwood/Photoworks Awards are a biennial research and development opportunity that provide artists working with photography financial support and mentorship to enable the creation of new work.
BJP Break through award. For photography students and recent graduates.
BJP International Photography award. British Journal of Photography’s annual International Photography Award is a leading showcase for contemporary photographic talent.
Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize.
Rory Peck Awards. The Rory Peck Awards uniquely celebrate the work of freelance cameramen and camerawomen in news and current affairs. There are several categories.
Getty Images Emerging Talent Award.
Monochrome Photographer of the Year & Monochrome Discovery of the Year. An annual award for all photographers using black and white photography.
The Humanity Photo Awards (HPA). A biennial photography contest focusing on folklore cultures, including portrait & costume, architecture, living custom, production & commerce, festivities and traditional rites.
PhotogrVphy Grant awards $1000 annually to the applicant with the most inspirational photographic idea.
The Felix Schoeller Photo Award honours work that demonstrates a love of photography, combined with the most demanding quality standards for images.
The bi-annual Allard Prize Photography Competition, which recognizes photographic excellence reflecting the ideals of the Allard Prize.
Annual Photoshare Contest. Recognising the best in global health and development photography.
Athens Photo Festival is accepts submissions for their exhibition programme.
The Marilyn Stafford FotoReportage Award for a professional woman photographer to complete a documentary photo essay which addresses an important social, environmental, economic or cultural issue.
The W. Eugene Smith Grant in Humanistic Photography for ongoing projects.
Carmignac Photojournalism Award. Funds the production of an investigative photo reportage on human rights violations in the world.
Wex photo competition. Submit entities via twitter with the #WexMondays hashtag to collect points towards a £1500 gift voucher at the end of the year.
All About Photo. Photography contests, Photography events and exhibition listings along side photo services and equipment reviews.
Residencies
The Independent AIR – A European Art Laboratory and Residency. A themed residency aimed at emerging photographers looking for mentorship and a program with a multidisciplinary edge.
Trans Artists. Primarily European based website listing studio shares & sublets and worldwide residencies.
Equipment hire
Kit mapper. Peer-to-peer lending of photographic and film equipment. You can earn some money lending out your kit, or hire kit cheaply from local photographers.
Professional Practice
Lens Culture’s fantastic guide for emerging photographers, includes section on how to pitch and apply for awards, marketing, preparing for a portfolio review and establishing your individual practice:
Information on safety, security and professional development is available from the Rory Peck Trust.
Guardian Arts Article on Photojournalism, written by Martin Argles.
The Photographers Gallery “viewpoints” – a collection of critical essays and provoking thoughts on photographic practice and processes.