CENTER Santa Fe Calls for Entry 2025

In 2025, CENTER Santa Fe offers $16,000 in funding, group exhibition at their new gallery and education hub in Santa Fe, admission to the Review Santa Fe portfolio reviews, featured publication within LENSCRATCH, access to seminars, and more.

Overview

CENTER’s Calls for Entry accept submissions from photographers and lens-based artists around the world for all available categories. Applications can be submitted in any language, and there are no restrictions regarding time. Works that have been previously submitted may be re-submitted as they invite new jurors each year. Applicants may submit multiple projects within the same category as well as the same project to multiple categories. Work derived from all photographic processes are welcome, as well as video and mixed media that is photo-based for specific categories.

Practical Info

Applicants must fill out the application form, including their images and a project statement. The Early Discount deadline is set for 15 February with a $35 entry fee for most categories. After that date, rates increase by $10 per category. CENTER Santa Fe invites photographers to join the Members Circle to save on entry fees, free access to seminars, and more.

There are several categories open now to foster projects throughout their many phases of development:

• Project Launch Grant

The Project Launch Grant supports a complete or nearly completed documentary or fine art series. The $5,000 grant package includes an exhibition at CENTER’s gallery, admission to Review Santa Fe, public project presentation, access to professional development seminars, publication with LENSCRATCH, inclusion in CENTER’s annual printed Program Guide, and inclusion in the CENTER Winners Gallery & Archive.

The juror for this category is Keith W. Jenkins (Vice President, Visuals and Music Strategy, NPR).

• Project Development Grant

The Project Development Grant provides financial support to a fine art, documentary, or photojournalistic work-in-progress. The $5,000 grant package includes an exhibition at CENTER’s gallery, admission to Review Santa Fe, public project presentation, access to professional development seminars, publication with LENSCRATCH, inclusion in CENTER’s annual printed Program Guide, and inclusion in the CENTER Winners Gallery & Archive.

The jury is composed of Kristen Gaylord (Herzfeld Curator of Photography and Media Arts, Milwaukee Art Museum).

• Me&Eve Award

The Me&Eve Award provides $1,000 in financial support to a female or LGBTQIA2S+ photographer 40 years of age and over. The Project Advancement package also includes an exhibition at CENTER’s gallery, admission to Review Santa Fe, public project presentation, access to professional development seminars, publication with LENSCRATCH, inclusion in CENTER’s annual printed Program Guide, and inclusion in the CENTER Winners Gallery & Archive.

The juror for the Me&Eve Award is Leonor Mamanna (Deputy Photo Director, Bloomberg Businessweek / Pursuits).

• Multimedia Award

The Multimedia Award recognizes outstanding storytellers using lens-based media to create narrative-driven projects. The award is open, but not limited to, photography, video, new media, photojournalism, installation, and web-based works. Projects that inspire social action, document crucial issues, and amplify underrepresented voices are encouraged to apply. The Project Advancement package includes an exhibition at CENTER’s gallery, admission to Review Santa Fe, public project presentation, professional development seminars access, publication with LENSCRATCH, inclusion in CENTER’s annual printed Program Guide, and inclusion in the CENTER Winners Gallery & Archive.

The selection committee for this category consists of Sam Wolson (Interactives Visual Features Editor, The New Yorker).

• The CENTER Awards

The CENTER Awards recognize outstanding images, singular or part of a series, in three categories: Personal, Social, and Environmental. A broad and inclusive interpretation of the themes is encouraged. The Personal Award recognizes work engaging in the exploration and expression of the power of self-representation and/or underrepresented experiences. The Socially Engaged Award recognizes work addressing social issues. All projects exploring social topics or themes are eligible. The Environmental Award recognizes work focusing on the state of the ecological environment. Topics may include but are not limited to, conservation, biodiversity, ecology, climate change, or other issues concerning the natural world. All projects exploring ecological relationships, topics, or themes are eligible. The Project Advancement package consists of the winners' exhibition at CENTER’s gallery, admission to Review Santa Fe, public project presentation, professional development seminars access, publication with LENSCRATCH, inclusion in CENTER’s annual printed Program Guide, and inclusion in the CENTER Winners Gallery & Archive.

The jury is composed of Pauline Vermare (Phillip & Edith Leonian Curator of Photography, Brooklyn Museum) for the Personal Award, Andrea Wise (Visual Strategy Editor, ProPublica) for the Socially Engaged Award, and Alice Gabriner (Consulting Director, Center for Contemporary Documentation) for the Environmental Award.

• Excellence in Teaching Award

Established in 1998, the annual Callanan Excellence in Teaching Award honors a high school, college, or postgraduate teacher’s dedication and commitment to their students and the photographic field. Educators in all areas of photographic teaching are eligible – including but not limited to fine art, documentary, history, and criticism. Educators must be nominated by their student(s) or colleague(s) to be considered. Educators must possess a genuine passion for teaching, an ability to excite students to learn, respect for students as individuals, and an enduring artistic curiosity. The award package consists of $5,000, Review Santa Fe participation, access to professional development seminars access, and inclusion in CENTER’s annual printed Program Guide. There are 3 easy steps to submit a nomination: gather the educator’s name, title, affiliation, contact details, and a nomination statement limited to 3 paragraphs; fill out the Award Nomination Form, and submit the free nomination before the final deadline of March 15, 2025, at 11:59 PM MT.

The juror for this category is Kathleen Sanker (Artist, Photographer, and Professor of Art, St. Charles Community College, St. Louis, MO).

• Review Santa Fe: Portfolio Reviews

Marks its 24th year and taking place in historic downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico, November 1-3, 2025, CENTER’s premier juried portfolio review event and conference, the Review Santa Fe Photo Symposium, is designed for photographers seeking audience expansion, critical discussion, and community connection. For more than 25 years, the Review Santa Fe Photo Symposium has provided opportunities for photographers to expand their audiences, engage in critical discussions, and connect with their community.

The premier program serves local, national, and international constituents, offering portfolio reviews with esteemed industry professionals from such organizations as National Geographic, The Washington Post, Harvard Art Museums, NPR, the Phoenix Museum of Art, and many more. For non-participating photographers and photo enthusiasts, Review Santa Fe includes a public exposition and photographic book fair, scholar lectures, and more networking programs throughout the weekend of events.

About CENTER Santa Fe

Founded in Santa Fe, New Mexico, in 1994, the nonprofit organization CENTER supports socially and environmentally engaged lens-based projects through education, public platforms, funding, and partnerships. Through their advancement of artists and their work, it serves to deepen public understanding of lens-based media’s complex history and ongoing cultural significance. By establishing partnerships between artists and scholars, editors, students, and the art world, they advance projects that respect all people, open minds, and engage our shared humanity.