Les Rencontres d'Arles - Discovery Award 2025

• Les Rencontres d'Arles

• Deadline: November 4th, 2024

• Prize: €15,000 Grant + Exhibition in France

• Theme: Open

• Entry Fees: Yes

• REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE

The Rencontres d’Arles is delighted to announce the commencement of the 2025 Discovery Award, a significant initiative that has formed a central part of the festival’s mission since its establishment. The Discovery Award was designed to identify, nurture, and promote emerging artists who are making waves in the world of contemporary art, particularly in photography. The 2025 edition, which will be part of the festival's 56th iteration, offers a unique opportunity for selected artists to present their work to an international audience, through a dedicated exhibition. This exhibition will also offer substantial rewards for the most outstanding contributions: the prestigious Jury Award, amounting to €15,000, and the Public Award, valued at €5,000.

Since 2021, the Discovery Award has expanded to include organizations that are dedicated to the development and support of emerging talent. These organizations include a diverse range of community spaces, independent galleries, artist-run venues, hybrid exhibition spaces, and foundations, all of which play a vital role in identifying the most exciting new artists. These organizations, by fostering creativity and providing platforms for exposure, act as key mediators in the artistic process. Each is invited to propose an exhibition project featuring an artist whose work they have discovered, supported, and believe deserves wider international recognition. This collaboration ensures that the artists presented through the Discovery Award are those with exceptional talent, vision, and potential to impact the global art scene.

For the 2025 edition, the selected exhibition projects will be curated and supported by the Rencontres d’Arles team, in conjunction with an expert exhibition curator. This partnership ensures that every artist’s work is showcased with the utmost care and professional presentation. The Discovery Award exhibition will thus serve as a pivotal moment for these emerging talents, bringing them into contact with international audiences, critics, and the art community at large.

During the festival’s opening week, a distinguished jury will evaluate the artists' works and determine the recipient of the coveted Jury Award. This prize includes an acquisition of artworks valued at €15,000, benefiting both the artist and the supporting organization. Additionally, festival visitors will play a key role in determining the Public Award, voting for their favorite works. The Public Award consists of an acquisition of artworks worth €5,000, offering further recognition for the artist and organization.

Ultimately, the Discovery Award not only celebrates the creativity of emerging artists but also acknowledges the organizations that play such an important role in nurturing artistic talent. By bringing together these diverse elements, the Rencontres d’Arles continues to champion new voices in contemporary photography, ensuring that innovative, boundary-pushing art is given the platform it deserves.