Deloitte Photo Grant 2026

The Nominations recipient receives a €50,000 production prize, a solo show at Triennale Milano, and a catalogue, while the Open Call recipient earns €25,000 for their project, a feature in the current show, and a solo exhibition in the next edition.

Overview

The 2026 theme Proximities invites photographers to explore the different dimensions of proximity, social, economic and relational, to reveal the ties that persist despite the fractures of contemporary life.

This edition aims to invite participants to narrate and explore the new forms of distance shaping our time, a distance not only physical but also produced by economic polarization, technological mediation, and increasing social fragmentation. Photography can reveal these separations by observing how bodies inhabit space and how communities withdraw behind screens and rhythms that erode attention and connection, highlighting the micro-relations that persist in daily life and what remains or fades within the visible. The theme also encourages reflection on what still holds communities together despite contemporary pressures, and on how photography can render these dynamics of closeness and distance legible.

Practical Info

The call is structured into two categories: the Nominations Section and the Open Call Section.

The Open Call Section is open to both amateur and professional photographers under the age of 35. The submission requires a project description and a detailed budget estimate. To demonstrate their technical skill, participants are also required to provide a portfolio of up to 10 images, which can either be preliminary impressions of the proposed project or examples of previous work. All applications must be accompanied by a CV, a profile photo, and a signed reference letter from a recognized industry professional, such as a curator or photo editor.

The Nominations Section is curated by ten prominent figures in international cultural production, each of whom will nominate two professional photographers.

The recipient of the Nominations Section will receive a €50,000 cash prize to support contemporary production, a solo exhibition at the Triennale in Milan, and an accompanying catalogue released by a major Italian publisher. Alternatively, the Open Call Section recipient will receive €25,000 to execute their project idea, a featured mention in the Triennale exhibition alongside the Nominations winner, and a dedicated exhibition during the following edition of the Award.

About Fondazione Deloitte

Established in 2016, Fondazione Deloitte’s mission is built on three main pillars: Culture, Education, and Emergency Relief. The Foundation is most famous for the Deloitte Photo Grant, an international award run in collaboration with Triennale Milano and curated by Denis Curti.