The Howard Tanenbaum Fellowship For Artistic Research 2026–2027

The Howard Tanenbaum Fellowship offers an opportunity to study select areas of The Image Centre’s photography collections, as well as a $4,000 (CAD) stipend for travel, research, and other related expenses.

Overview

Candidates may hold any level of education, and/or be independent artists with relevant experience and demonstrated interests. Candidates’ research should utilise the collections and resources of The Image Centre and/or Toronto Metropolitan University Archives and Special Collections in support of their artistic practice. Applicants should discuss the feasibility of their project with the IMC Research Program Coordinator prior to applying.

Practical Info

Applications, including letters of reference, must be sent via email by 15 March 2026, 11:59pm EST. Applicants must specify how they learned of the IMC Fellowship Program in the body of their email submission. The application must include a project proposal (approximately 1,000 words), a curriculum vitae, one sample of written work (maximum 20 pages), and an example of previous film or video work (maximum 10 minutes long), or a portfolio of images (no more than 10) may be submitted instead of a writing sample.

These first components must be gathered into one PDF document. If a film or video is being submitted instead of a writing sample, a link to view the file must be included in the candidate’s application email, and the proposal and CV should be gathered into one PDF document. One letter of recommendation from someone in a position to characterise the applicant’s scholarly or artistic abilities to successfully carry out the proposed project.

A committee will evaluate the applications based on their quality, originality, and foundation in the collections and resources of The Image Centre and/or the Toronto Metropolitan University Archives and Special Collections.

The fellow will be expected to carry out their research on-site for a minimum of one to a maximum of four weeks, between 1 July 2026 and 15 January 2027. Dates of residency will be established in dialogue with the IMC’s staff. Research fellows must agree to abide by regulations as directed by Toronto Metropolitan University, The Image Centre, and the Ministry of Health for the province of Ontario.

First instalment ($2,000 CAD) to be paid upon signing a Letter of Agreement detailing terms and conditions. Second instalment ($2,000 CAD) to be paid after submission of the two-page fellowship report (see above for details). Successful applicants are responsible for complying with tax regulations under Canadian federal law, Canadian provincial law, and the laws within the applicant’s country of legal residence.

About The Image Centre

Since 2014, The Image Centre has offered a variety of fellowships for research related to photography. Research fellows have the opportunity to study select areas of The Image Centre's photography collections first-hand. In 2026, The Image Centre will offer five competitive fellowships for research related to photography.