The Chico Review Publishing Prize 2027

The Chico Review Publishing Prize awards one photographer publication and worldwide distribution by Charcoal Book Club, selected from eighty attendees at a seven-day photobook retreat in Montana.

Overview

The Chico Review Publishing Prize is awarded to one photographer attending The Chico Review, a seven-day photobook retreat organized by Charcoal Book Club at Chico Hot Springs Resort near Livingston, Montana. The winning project will be published and distributed worldwide by Charcoal Book Club, the first book-of-the-month club dedicated exclusively to photobooks.

Attending artists receive ten formal portfolio reviews by speakers and reviewers and take part in artist lectures, panel discussions, peer reviews, Q&A sessions, and additional evening programming. The retreat includes three catered meals daily, access to natural hot springs, and one entirely free day for exploring the surrounding area.

Practical Info

Eighty applicants will be selected by the jury – composed of Melinda Blauvelt, Tony Cederteg, Ilias Georgiadis, Gregory Harris, Aron Morel, and Miwa Sosuda – and invited to spend the week with over twenty-five photographers, book makers, gallerists, museum curators, and photobook publishers. One full tuition scholarship ($5,450), two half tuition scholarships ($2,675), and three partial tuition scholarships ($1,500) will be awarded based on the quality of submitted projects. Student discounts and need-based scholarships will be available to those selected who qualify.

The 2027 keynote speakers are Daniel Arnold, Barbara Bosworth, Paul D'Amato, Rena Effendi, JH Engström, Hannah Modigh, Paul Graham, and Emma Hardy. Featured reviewers include Gregory Barker, Ben Brody, Gianluca and Gianmarco Gamberini, Matthew Genitempo, Todd Hido, Pia Paulina Guilmoth, Michael Hulett, Misha Kominek, Jesse Lenz, Shana Lopes, Jim Mangan, Chris McCall, Harrison Miller, Andrea Modica, Jacob Moscovitch, Musuk Nolte, Bryan Schutmaat, Emily Sheffer, and Brad Zellar.

Selected attendees and scholarship recipients will be announced 26 December 2026. The Chico Review takes place 15 March 2027. The Charcoal Publishing Prize recipient will be announced on 18 June 2027.

About Charcoal Book Club

Charcoal Book Club is the first book-of-the-month club dedicated exclusively to photobooks, based in the United States. The organization publishes and distributes photobooks worldwide and has organized The Chico Review photobook retreat annually since 2017.