Off-The-Wall Award 2025

MIA Photo Fair is pleased to launch a new call for artists, especially conceived for the fair by Erik Kessels.

Overview

The Dutch artist is a prominent figure in the international photography scene, working as an artist, curator, publisher, and expert in visual communication, with a deep interest in art and photography. Through this award, Kessels aims to engage contemporary artists of all ages who use photography as an artistic language.

The winning artists will have the opportunity to exhibit their work at the 14th edition of MIA Photo Fair, scheduled from March 20 to 23, 2025, at Superstudio Più, via Tortona 27, Milan.

MIA Photo Fair is also pleased to announce that the winning Artists selected for the exhibition will have the opportunity to be selected for two additional awards: the publication of an artist portfolio in Gente di Fotografia, to coincide with the 13th edition of MIA Photo Fair, selected by Franco Carlisi (Editor-in-Chief of Gente di Fotografia) from among the winning artists. Additionally, one of the exhibiting artists may participate in a free artist residency, to be announced by MIA Photo Fair at a later date. The residency artist will be selected by the residency’s organizers, and the residency period will be agreed upon by both parties, respecting the selected residency’s autonomy.

Practical Info

The award is open to all artists without age restrictions. Works by artists whose pieces will be exhibited at MIA Photo Fair 2025 in Gallery stands, as well as works by artists previously presented and/or admitted to MIA Photo Fair editions from 2011 to 2024, are not eligible for participation.

Projects may include analog or digital photographs, photographs with digital or manual manipulations, and should align with the theme Off The Wall by Erik Kessels. As outlined by the theme, “The works must embody personal, unusual exploration and emphasize the experimental nature of photography as both an 'object' and a medium that integrates other disciplines. The works should present 'unconventional stories and executions in new photographic expressions.’”

Applicants have to submit a project description, between 5 and 10 images, a signed copy of the receipt for the participation fee payment, and a copy of a valid identification document.

About MIA Photo Fair

MIA Fair, conceived in 2011, is the most important art fair dedicated to photography in Italy. It offers a unique approach by presenting solo shows and group shows with a specific curatorial project. The Fair was created with the aim of highlighting the transverse role that photography has come to play between the languages of expression of the contemporary art system.

MIA Fair provides a rich cultural program, with events and conferences dedicated to the world of art and photography, which aims to support a conscious collectors with insights and important guests in the Italian and international art scene.

MIA Fair offers the possibility to art collectors to enjoy a lively and innovative art event, experiencing a unique view in Italy on the photography art market, ranging from established to emerging artists. MIA Fair has achieved the result of creating a new collectors’ base which approaches contemporary art through the collection of photography.