Deadline: 4 January 2024. | The V&A Parasol Foundation Prize for Women in Photography
About The V&A Parasol Foundation Prize for Women in Photography
The V&A Parasol Foundation Prizefor Women in Photography is thematic and artists must respond to the theme accordingly. A new theme is set annually with each new edition of the Prize.
Our 2024 theme is ‘Histories’
Visual communication has been a vital part of society since the invention of cave drawings in the prehistoric period. Though formally invented in the 19th century, the philosophy of photography – ‘drawing with light’ – can be traced to neolithic periods and primitive camera obscura techniques. Photography has since developed into an essential contemporary medium, used to document our history, culture, events and societal change, and more recently, as a form of human and artistic expression. This theme invites broad submissions which evidence the relationship between history and photography; from the use of historical processes and their position within contemporary photographic practice, to the documentation of historical events or revisitations of the past. It creates space for artists interested in the notion of the archive, including photographers working with family albums, vernacular photography and historic or institutional collections. ‘Histories’ invites artists to consider how photography can be used to interrogate and challenge existing history, fact and circumstance, allowing for reimagined or speculative futures
Eligibility
ii. Entrants must be over 18 years old.
iii. One entry per person.
iv. The V&A Parasol Foundation Prize for Women in Photography is open to all women and is trans-inclusive.
v. Applications are welcome from international artists, both professionals and amateurs.
vii. Entry is via online portal only. We are unable to accept email or postal applications.
viii. Submissions must be photographic or lens-based media. Please note that we are currently unable to consider moving image, multimedia, VR, and installation-based submissions.
ix. Submissions will be considered from all forms of photographic art. This includes, but is not limited to, storytelling, narrative, social documentary, construction, archival, conceptual, research-based or theoretical practices.
x. Work submitted must have been created in the last three years or since 2020.
xi. Work submitted should not have previously been exhibited in London
Images submitted can be shot using any camera model or electronic device.
xii. Entrants should be singular artists. Applications from photographic duos, groups and artist collectives are currently not eligible.
xiii. Entrants warrant that they are the creator of their images, that they own the entire copyright for each submitted work, and that they have the necessary permissions to submit images featuring third parties or their works.
xiv. Entrants grant the V&A and Peckham 24 a non-exclusive license to reproduce their artwork for use in the V&A Parasol Foundation Prize for Women in Photography exhibition, and related online, social media and printed media publicity. Entrants will be credited.
xv. Winners must be able to supply high-res files for press and production requirements.
xvi. You may edit your entry after submitting, up until the entry deadline.
xvii. You accept that the V&A will not be responsible for any loss or damage to submitted work.
xviii. Applications are subject to the submission of a 20-image portfolio, artist statement, biography and a proposed installation layout. We will be unable to consider incomplete submissions or those which do not meet the Prize criteria.
xix. By registering an account and submitting your details, you agree to receive notifications and communication emails regarding the V&A Parasol Foundation Prize for Women in Photography.
Prizes
- Four winning artists will have their work included in a group exhibition at Peckham 24, alongside accompanying events and public programming
- International travel and two night’s accommodation expenses for exhibiting artists to attend the festival in London
- Networking event with Prize selection committee and industry experts
- Bursaries of £2,000 for each exhibiting artist
- Winning artists will be featured on the V&A and Peckham 24 social media channels and communications
Deadline: 4 January 2024.
How to apply
Entry is online only via our competition platform.
Please read our Terms and conditions before applying.
If you have access needs, please email parasolwomenphoto@vam.ac.uk
