near. was founded in Lausanne in 2009 and its principal aim is to promote contemporary photography. The association organises activities set around four main objectives: to promote and disseminate the work of Swiss and Swiss-based photographers for established talent as well as young artists; to enable a continuous cultural exchange between regions and among professionals in the field of photography (artists, historians, critics, curators, journalists and editors); to actively contribute to critical thinking on the subject of contemporary photography; and finally, to advertise Swiss photography to a wider audience. Among other things near. organises exhibitions, screenings, interviews, conferences and gatherings between professionals. With the idea of developing additional support for the association's photographers, near. organises every year the near. prize, an annual award aimed at providing a financial incentive to encourage production and connecting photographers to photography professionals in Switzerland and beyond. All near. members are invited and encouraged to participate.