Emerging Lens

The mission of Emerging Lens is to create a network of support for emerging photographers in hopes of creating greater accessibility to the field while making their work and the issues they highlight visible through public exhibitions in spaces nontraditional for documentary photography.

Each year, AWP selects a class of fellows who will work toward completing a project to be exhibited in partnership with community organizations, arts institutions, and/or academic centers.

Projects completed for this fellowship will center on fresh narratives and first-person storytelling regarding underrepresented communities with whom the fellows and AWP will collaborate.

Fellows will be supported by AWP staff, AWP creative collaborators including established photojournalists, photo editors, curators, etc., and the cohort of former Emerging Lens fellows.

Emerging Lens fellows will receive:

• $5,000 unrestricted fellowship compensation for a 2 month project commitment to complete an ongoing or new body of work
• Opportunity to apply for partial to full financial support for realization of project, including travel expenses, equipment rental, etc.
• An exhibition of their work with programming opportunities and the possibility of exhibition travel
• Mentorship from AWP staff, AWP partners, and the Emerging Lens community

Click here to apply for the Emerging Lens Fellowship Program