Raccont’Arti - Contemporary Photography Award Call for Entries 2026

• Castelfiorentino For the Arts

• Deadline: October 15th, 2026

• Theme: Contemporary Photography

• Prize: €3,000 + Exhibition in Italy + Publication

• Entry Fees: Free

• REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE

"Raccont'arti" is a free international open call designed to support photographers and visual artists working at the forefront of contemporary photographic practice. By bringing together artists from diverse cultural and creative backgrounds, the initiative aims to provide a snapshot of the current state of contemporary photography while creating opportunities for visibility, professional development, and artistic exchange.

For its 2026 edition, the prize invites submissions under the theme "Beyond the Visible: The Image of Absence." Artists are encouraged to reflect on absence not as emptiness, but as a dynamic presence shaped by memory, transformation, and the passage of time. The call welcomes projects that reveal the invisible dimensions of everyday spaces, uncover traces of human experience, or explore the subtle relationships between presence and disappearance. Participants are invited to approach photography as a medium capable of making visible what is often overlooked, creating works that resonate beyond immediate representation.

The open call includes two categories. The Open category welcomes photographers and visual artists at any stage of their careers, while the Student category is reserved for artists currently enrolled in art schools or universities, or who have graduated within the previous twelve months. This structure reflects the prize's commitment to supporting both emerging professionals and the next generation of creative practitioners.

The winners will receive €3,000 in the Open category and €500 in the Student category. Beyond the financial awards, the two winners and eight finalists—four selected from each category—will participate in a group exhibition in Castelfiorentino, providing an important platform to present their work to the public and connect with cultural institutions and professionals. The winning work in the Open category may also be acquired by Ente Cambiano and Banca Cambiano 1884, offering further recognition and long-term visibility.

The prize is promoted by Fondazione Teatro del Popolo and supported by Ente Cambiano s.c.p.a., the Municipality of Castelfiorentino, and Centro Culturale Cambio, whose shared commitment is to foster artistic excellence, encourage new perspectives in contemporary photography, and strengthen dialogue between artists and the wider cultural community.