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2024 Aperture Portfolio Prize

Aperture   /   Deadline: 01/05/24

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The Aperture Portfolio Prize aims to identify trends in contemporary photography and highlight artists whose work deserves greater recognition. When choosing the first-prize winner and finalists, Aperture's editorial staff looks for innovative bodies of work that haven't been widely seen in major publications or exhibition venues. The Aperture Portfolio Prize is open exclusively to Aperture magazine print subscribers.

Fees

The sole entry requirement for entering the Portfolio Prize is to be an Aperture magazine print subscriber. Subscriptions must be current through Spring 2023, issue #250. To subscribe, please visit aperture.org/magprize.

Eligibility

Entries are welcome from anyone who makes photographs. This program is inclusive, and work will not be chosen on the basis of the status of the photographer. It is the portfolio that counts.

Requirements

1. Subscribe to Aperture magazine!
The sole entry requirement for entering the Portfolio Prize is to be an Aperture magazine print subscriber. Subscriptions must be current through Spring 2024, issue 254. To subscribe, please visit aperture.org/magprize.

Failure to provide an accurate print subscription magazine account number will result in the disqualification of the submission.

2. Get your magazine account number.
For new subscribers, your account number can be found in your e-receipt. To subscribe, visit aperture.org/magprize.

For current subscribers, your account number and expiration date appear above your name on the address card that is sent along with every issue. Or, you can request your account number and expiration date by sending an e-mail with your name and address to custsvc_aperture@fulcoinc.com.

3. Create an account at picter.com

4. Submit your portfolio and application before the deadline through the Aperture Portfolio Prize Picter Page .
You will need to provide the following:

Aperture magazine account number (required)
10–15 images with title information (images must be JPEG and 3,000 px on the longest side)
Statement about your work (1,500 characters max)
CV/Résumé (2,000 characters or single PDF)
Bio (1,500 characters)

By submitting your work to the Aperture Portfolio Prize, you are found to be in agreement of the terms and conditions. Click here to read the terms and conditions.

Awards

First Prize: The first prize winner will be published in Aperture magazine and will receive a $3,000 cash prize, a $1,000 gift card to shop for gear at mpb.com, and an exhibition organized by Aperture in New York City.

Shortlist: The four artists chosen for the shortlist will receive their own feature on aperture.org and be highlighted on Aperture's digital channels across email, social, and web.

All Finalists: The winner, shortlist, and twenty additional finalists will all receive a virtual portfolio review session with an Aperture editor. All twenty-five finalists will be announced by Aperture, reaching subscribers across the globe, including curators, critics, and members of the photography community.

Evaluation Criteria

When examining entries, Aperture's editors and curatorial staff will consider the following criteria:

Was the work created in the past five years?
Is a theme or topic carried throughout the portfolio in a fully resolved, consistent manner?
Are each of the images individually strong?
What technical and presentation choices has the photographer made, and are they appropriate for the work? For example, is there a clear reason for the work being in black and white versus a digitally enhanced palette?
Does the body of work take an innovative or unique approach to the subject matter?

Entries are welcome from anyone who makes photographs. This program is inclusive, and work will not be chosen on the basis of the status of the photographer. It is the portfolio that counts.

Contact Information

Alex Schlechter
548 West 28th St 4th Floor
New York, NY 10001

P: 212.505.5555
W: https://aperture.org/calls-for-entry/portfolio-prize/
E: apertureprize@aperture.org