GENERAL

The 17th annual CENTER Awards provide applicants with a prestigious photographic international awards program. The prize packages are designed to bring exposure to worthy photographers via exhibitions, publication, and career advancement. Often judges will show interest in work that is not selected for the awards but that may be relevant for other purposes. To facilitate a relationship, CENTER provides contact information of all photographers who have advanced to the final rounds of judging. No work is eliminated by pre-screening. All contestants stand to benefit from the submission process by having their work seen by the judges.

PROJECT COMPETITION     APPLICATION     GUIDELINES

ELIGIBLE WORK   All projects except for those that have been published in book form with a photographic publishing house or university press.

JURORS   Greg Hobson, Curator of Photographs, National Media Museum, UK
Paul Moakley, Deputy Photo Editor, TIME magazine
Christopher Steighner, Senior Editor, Rizzoli Publications Inc.

PRIZES $10,000 cash, exhibition, publication in Fraction magazine, admission to Review Santa Fe, and more.

SUBMIT 20 images from a body of work, artist statement, resume, $35 members/$45 nonmembers

PROJECT LAUNCH     APPLICATION     GUIDELINES

ELIGIBLE WORK   This is for works-in-progress. Projects are ineligible if (5) or more images have been exhibited at a commercial gallery or any formal showcase; have been published online or in print in more than (2) publications; or been published as a book. (This does not include publishing images on your own website.) We will review other web publications including blogs and online magazines on a case-by-case basis. Please email programs@visitcenter.org with eligibility questions.

JURORS   Virginia Heckert, Associate Curator, J. Paul Getty Museum

PRIZES $5,000 cash, exhibition, publication in Fraction magazine, admission to Review Santa Fe and more.

SUBMIT   8-10 images from a work-in-progress, artist statement, resume, $25 members/$35 nonmembers

CHOICE AWARDS     APPLICATION     GUIDELINES

ELIGIBLE WORK   Open to all images and processes.

JURORS Curator's Choice
Ashley Givens, Assistant Curator of the, Victoria & Albert Museum, UK
Editor's Choice
Jamie Wellford, Senior Photo Editor, Newsweek Magazine
Gallerist's Choice
Stephanie Braun, Senior Curator, The Photographer's Gallery, UK

PRIZES Exhibition at CENTER space, publication in Fraction magazine, gift certificate to Singer Editions fine art printing services

SUBMIT   1-4+ images, $25 members/$35 nonmembers per category OR $60 members/$75 nonmembers for all 3 categories

REVIEW SANTA FE     APPLICATION     GUIDELINES

ELIGIBLE WORK  Open to all projects made at any time including previously submitted works.

SELECTION COMMITTEE   The Selection Committee is comprised of three professionals, each representing different aspects of the field such as a curator, an editor and a publisher.

EVENT   A minimum of 9 one-on-one portfolio reviews, inclusion in an ongoing online artist listing, evening receptions, a night of Portfolio Viewing and more; June 2012 in Santa Fe, NM. Scholarships and payment plans available.

SUBMIT   20 images from a body of work, artist statement, resume, $45 members/$55 nonmembers (discounts if you apply to both Project Competition and Review Santa Fe)

Q: WHEN IS THE DEADLINE?

A: A: 11:59PM MST, January 30, 2012 to be received.

Q: WHERE DO I APPLY/UPLOAD?

A: The online application is available via the 'Apply Today' link to the right. After completing your application and payment, you will be directed to the CENTER/VisualServer login to upload images.

Q: WHERE IS MY CONFIRMATION EMAIL?

A: Please check your spam/junk folder, if you don't find it please email programs@visitcenter.org to troubleshoot.

Q: HOW SHOULD I SIZE MY FILES?

A: Files must be in jpeg format, sized 1000 pixels on the long side at 72 dpi. (When submitting a horizontal image, the width of your picture should be 1000 pixels, with your height adjusted proportionately. If you are submitting a vertical image, the height of your image should be 1000 pixels and your width should be adjusted proportionately.)

There is a 500k limit to the file size of each image uploaded. Use a jpeg quality level of 10 and high. Do not check the progressive jpg or optimized checkbox. If you follow these guidelines, the size of your images will typically fall between 100-500k. Each image must be submitted as a separate file (no Powerpoint or iPhoto presentations). Please save images as RGB, ICC profile Adobe RGB (1998) or Grayscale, ICC profile Dot Gain 20%. The process for uploading files requires no special software.

Q: WHAT SHOULD I DO IF MY IMAGE SIZE IS TOO LARGE?

A: Use a jpeg quality level of 10 or high when saving your jpgs. Do NOT check the progressive jpg or optimized checkbox. If you follow these guidelines, the size of your images will typically fall between 100-500k when it is compressed (closed). When the image is opened the file might be larger than 500k and that is acceptable.

Q: DO THE CHOICE AWARDS REQUIRE A STATEMENT OR RÉSUMÉ?

A: No.

Q: CAN I SUBMIT LESS THAN 20 IMAGES FOR REVIEW SANTA FE AND/OR PROJECT COMPETITION?

A: Yes, 20 is the recommended amount however, if you have fewer that is acceptable.

Q: WHO DO I CONTACT IF I NEED HELP?

A: Please send an email to programs@visitcenter.org with a full description of your question or problem. Your email will be returned as soon as possible and likely within 1 business day, Monday-Friday.