Visual arts
Focus Photo
What
Production of new photographic projects based on a specific annual focus.
For 2024, the focus is ‘Sensorial Imaging’:
In an ever-changing world, images play an increasingly crucial role. They not only allow us to study, document, and raise awareness about the state of the world, but also to go beyond reality and imagine alternative universes. However, while they often materialize as visible phenomena that can be captured by photography, the transformations we witness also possess a sensorial and emotional dimension, much less tangible. How can we make visible what cannot be seen, but can be felt? How do we make sense of complex realities that depend on structures that cannot be captured or even seen with the naked eye? And how can we rethink the role of photography and imagery to bear witness to the perceptions and emotions shaping societies?
This call for projects aims to give photographers and artists concerned by these questions in their practice the means to address them in depth as part of a new project. In the context of this call for applications, a project is defined as the production of a photographic work (analogue, digital, CGI, etc.) that is created and produced with a clear aim to be publicly presented. We encourage any approach that addresses the “focus” in an innovative and relevant way.
Possible approaches for this year’s focus ‘Sensorial Imaging’ include:
- projects that thematically explore the role of sensoriality in photography, particularly in relation to social, political, and environmental phenomena;
- experimental projects that propose techniques to incorporate sensory perception into photographic production processes ;
- projects exploring sensoriality in relation to the working conditions of photographers and artists, particularly addressing the emotional and ethical challenges they face.
For Whom
Photographers and artists
Selection Criteria
- Artistic, documentary and/or applied photography
- Unpublished project, designed and produced with the aim of public dissemination (exhibition, publication, release, etc.) and a corresponding strategy
- Relevant exploration of the focus
- Project must have a high degree of artistic originality and quality
- Project must be feasible
- Significance of the work in the wider realm of the applicant’s creative development
In addition to these specific criteria, the apply.
Financial Contribution
The contribution is a fixed amount of CHF 15,000 per project.
It may be used to cover all costs that are necessary to realise the project, with the exception of infrastructure, equipment and operating costs, and maintenance costs for digital formats.
Content Of Application
- Concept for the content, form and implementation of the project, including work plan and timeline
- Strategy for the public presentation – including supporting documents (invitation, contract, etc.) if this has already been scheduled
- Budget and financial plan
- Work documentation from the past few years and a CV including a list of previous public presentations in a single PDF
Format-specific Exclusion Criteria
- Projects involving journalistic research and reporting (with publications in print media or digital formats) and PR projects are excluded.
- Projects that are part of a school curriculum or an education or training programme, as well as new editions, commissioned works and projects that are part of an advertising campaign, are also excluded.
- No contributions will be made for projects that are already in progress.
Application Deadlines and Decision Timelines
Notification of decision | Within eight weeks |
Earliest start date for the project | Eight weeks after application deadline |
Additional Information
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