Prix Elysée 2025

The Prix Elysée is open to mid-career photographers or artists using photography from around the world. They are recommended by a recognized professional in the field of photography, contemporary art, film, fashion, journalism or publishing.

Overview

The Prix Elysée is one of the world’s most prestigious photography prizes, with a value of CHF 80,000. Its aim is to support mid-career artists from all over the world to develop an original photographic project on a theme of their choice. Since 2014, the Prix Elysée has been the result of an exclusive partnership between Photo Elysée and Parmigiani Fleurier.

Practical Info

The Prix Elysée is aimed at photographers or artists who make use of photography. Artists should have experienced exhibiting in group and/or solo shows – in galleries, museums, or other cultural institutions – and publications that have brought them national recognition, or even international visibility. Nevertheless, they have not yet enjoyed a mid-career retrospective. Applications are welcome from artists of any age or nationality. They may submit work as individuals or a collective.

Applicants have to submit an unpublished photographic project that has never been previously exhibited and has no prior rights’ agreement with other parties or sponsors. This work must not have been submitted to another prize.

The Prix Elysée is a two-phase prize to support creative work, in which the work-in-progress of 8 nominees and the winner’s finalized project are all promoted (publication and/or exhibition and/or installation, etc.). Candidates’ portfolios must include a representative portfolio consisting of 10 (maximum) high-definition digital files, a short description of the proposed prize project (maximum 500 words), a short biography (maximum 30 words), a CV, the Prix Elysée application form, completed and signed and a letter of recommendation, addressed to Photo Elysée, from the candidate’s reference, who must also complete and sign the relevant form.

About Prix Elysée

Photo Elysée, Cantonal Museum for Photography, is a Museum of the Canton of Vaud managed by the Plateforme 10 Foundation. Since its establishment in 1985, the museum has worked to improve public understanding of the photographic medium through innovative exhibitions, key publications and engaging events. In a shared commitment to foster creativity and support the production of new work, Photo Elysée and Parmigiani Fleurier have been founding partners of the Prix Elysée since 2014. The prize runs every two years. The sixth edition will take place 2024-2026.