• Les Rencontres d'Arles
• Deadline: November 4th, 2024
• Prize: €15,000 Grant + Exhibition in France
• Theme: Open
• Entry Fees: Yes
• REGISTRATION: CLOSED. Click HERE for more Opportunities
The Rencontres d’Arles is excited to unveil the 2025 Discovery Award, a prestigious program that has long stood as a beacon for emerging artists in the world of photography. Since its inception, the Discovery Award has sought out fresh, original voices, giving them the chance to shine on a global stage. The upcoming edition, which will form a central part of the 56th Rencontres d’Arles festival, promises to carry on this proud tradition, once again making space for new and innovative artists to show the world what they have to offer. And the stakes are high! Along with the honor of exhibiting their work, selected artists will be eligible for two major prizes: the Jury Award, worth €15,000, and the Public Award, worth €5,000.
One of the unique aspects of the Discovery Award since 2021 has been its collaboration with organizations that support emerging talent. These aren’t just any organizations—they're the grassroots spaces, independent galleries, artist-led venues, and community hubs that first discover and nurture new artists. These organizations are invited to submit exhibition proposals on behalf of the artists they support, offering the chance for those artists to be seen on an international level. It’s a dynamic partnership that acknowledges both the artists and the spaces that champion their work, ensuring a strong support network for emerging talent.
If selected, the artists and their supporting organizations will work closely with the team at Rencontres d’Arles to create an exhibition that truly highlights their unique voices. An expert curator will also be invited by the festival to oversee the exhibition, providing invaluable insight and direction to ensure each project is presented in the most compelling way possible. This level of attention helps the artists make a real impact when they present their work to the festival’s global audience.
Opening week at the Rencontres d’Arles will be a thrilling moment for these emerging artists. Not only will their work be on display for critics, collectors, and the public, but their fate will be in the hands of a prestigious jury as well as the thousands of festival-goers. The Jury Award, determined by experts in the art world, includes an acquisition of artworks totaling €15,000, which will go to both the artist and the supporting organization. Meanwhile, the public will cast their votes, with the artist whose work resonates most earning the Public Award and an acquisition of €5,000.
By participating in the Discovery Award, artists and organizations alike are entering a space where creativity, talent, and innovation are celebrated on a global scale. It’s not just about winning prizes—it’s about the opportunity to be part of a festival that values emerging voices and plays a key role in shaping the future of photography.
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