1492/1619 American Aftermaths Grant

The Aftermath Project is open to photographers worldwide who are interested in creating work that encourages greater public understanding and discussion of aftermath issues.

Overview

The 1492/1619 grant is open for projects that relate to the aftermath of colonialism and enslavement specifically in the United States: wide interpretations of America’s original sins – the 1492 “discovery” of the land by Christopher Columbus and the assault on indigenous peoples; and the 1619 arrival of the first enslaved Africans and the legacy of a system of slavery based on white supremacy. Proposals from photographers from other countries are welcome as long as they make a clear connection to these U.S. aftermaths.

Although there are no restrictions on who tells what story, this edition of the grant is seeking to create a broader playing field, one that makes room for photographers from under-represented communities to tell their own stories. Explorations of Asian and Hispanic experiences are encouraged for this edition, as well as proposals from white photographers who want to examine what it means to be white in the aftermaths of enslavement and colonialism. 

Some other topics of interest for the 2023 edition are the impact of these post-conflict legacies from the point of view of communities most impacted by them; the role of white privilege in creating and sustaining these injustices; the roots of the slave trade in Africa and its continuing impact there, and other interpretations of the issue.

Practical Info

Proposals should include a short bio, a project statement, where the connection between the proposed work and the aftermaths of 1492 and/or 1619 is clear, and a portfolio of up to 30 images which shows skills as a visual storyteller. Applicants should also indicate the scope of the work during the grant year (travels, research, etc).

About The Aftermath Project

The Aftermath Project is a non-profit organisation committed to telling the other half of the story of conflict. Through a yearly grant competition and partnerships with universities, photography institutions and non-profit organisations, the Project seeks to help broaden the public’s understanding of the true cost of war — and the real price of peace — through international travelling exhibitions and educational outreach in communities and schools.