SUBMISSION DEADLINE: June 15, 2021, 11:59pm (ET)
The Print Center announces the 96th ANNUAL International Competition, to be juried by Ana Casas Broda and Dr. Kelli Morgan. Casas Broda is an artist, educator, editor and co-director of Hydra + Fotografía, a platform founded in 2012 in Mexico City for projects related to the medium of photography. Dr. Morgan is an independent curator, educator and social justice activist who developed a love of print when she curated A Collaborative Language: Selections from the Experimental Printmaking Institute (EPI) at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, in 2017.
The Print Center honors the power of photography and print to raise and amplify a multiplicity of voices. We are committed to fostering that power to advocate for change as well as supporting artists working for equity and justice through our exhibitions and programs, including the ANNUAL.
The ANNUAL is one of the oldest and most prestigious competitions in the United States. Open to local, national and international artists, The Print Center is particularly interested in highlighting the use of photography and/or printmaking in new and intriguing ways, both in content and process.
Any artist using Photography and/or Printmaking as critical components in their work can enter. Artists whose work pushes the boundaries of traditional photographic and printmaking practices are encouraged to enter. 2D and 3D works are eligible.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: June 15, 2021, 11:59pm (ET)
ENTER ONLINE: www.printcenter.slideroom.com
REDUCED ENTRY FEE for 2021: $35 – for up to five single images or videos
The Print Center raises 100% of its operating budget each year, and fees from the ANNUAL directly support the mounting of the three Solo Exhibitions, the digital portfolios, and our other compelling and innovative programs.
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ELIGIBILITY
Any artist using photography and/or printmaking as critical components in their work can enter. Work submitted must have been completed in the last three years. Up to five images may be submitted and only one submission per person is allowed.
Former ANNUAL Finalists and Semifinalists are eligible to apply.
Each uploaded file must be labeled with: Title, Date, Medium (e.g. etching, inkjet, gelatin silver, lithograph) and Dimensions (paper size, video duration or installation measurements). Additional information, up to 100 words, may be included.
Accepted file formats for submission:
Images: Up to 5 MB/each: jpg, png, gif
Videos: Up to 250 MB/each: mov, wmv, flv, mp4
AWARDS AND EXHIBITIONS
The jurors will select a group of 25 Semifinalists and 10 Finalists.
25 Semifinalists and 10 Finalists will be selected by the jurors.
All Semifinalists and Finalists are eligible for institutional acquisition, purchase, cash and material awards.
All Finalists are eligible for Solo Exhibition Awards
All Semifinalists and Finalists receive online portfolios and digital exhibition
A wide variety of exhibition, museum acquisition, cash and material prizes are provided by supporters of the ANNUAL to be awarded to Semifinalists and Finalists, including:
Three Solo Exhibitions at The Print Center (Finalists only)
Stinnett Philadelphia Museum of Art Collection Award
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts Purchase Award
Art Museum of West Virginia University Purchase Award
Fish/Pearce Award ($500)
Callan/McNamara Award ($500)
Stockbridge Fine Art Printing Award ($250 value)
The Print Center Honorary Council Award of Excellence
Two-year Print Center Gallery Store Contract
Numerous additional cash and material prizes awards
Museum Acquisition Awards
Stinnett Philadelphia Museum of Art Collection Award
Selected by a curator from the Department of Prints, Drawings and Photographs at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, one work will be accessioned into the Philadelphia Museum of Art's Permanent Collection.
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts Purchase Award
Selected by Jodi Throckmorton, Curator of Contemporary Art, one work will be accessioned into the Museum’s permanent collection.
Art Museum of West Virginia University Purchase Award
Selected by Robert Bridges, curator, one work will be accessioned into the Art Museum’s collection through the Beth and Joe Hestick Acquisitions Fund.
Solo Exhibitions
Three Finalists will be selected by The Print Center to receive Solo Exhibitions at The Print Center (January – March 2022) and an honorarium. Selected artists will work with our curator on the selection of works and installation design.
Artists are responsible for delivery/shipping to and from The Print Center, and other costs not explicitly covered by The Print Center, including framing (if required).
The Print Center provides:
• The venue, professional installation and de-installation, gallery signage and labels, and insurance while work is on The Print Center’s premises.
• Publicity including visual branding for the exhibitions, promotion via press release to over 2,500 press outlets, mailed exhibition announcement cards to 2,500 individuals, website presence, weekly email newsletters to 10,000 and social media posts on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
• Documentation, including professional photographic documentation and a professionally printed exhibition brochure distributed free of charge to visitors, also available as a pdf on The Print Center’s website.
Digital Exhibition
Images submitted by Finalists and Semifinalists will be presented onscreen at The Print Center during the Solo Exhibitions (January – March 2022).
Online Portfolios
The Print Center will mount an online portfolio exhibition for Semifinalists and Finalists, including up to five images, biographical information and artist statements. Finalists can present an additional 5 images for inclusion (up to 10).
Sales
If artworks are available for sale, The Print Center will facilitate the transaction, including shipping. The Print Center will receive a 50% commission on works sold. The Print Center will pay the artist’s commission 90 days from the close of sale.
Liability
The Print Center is not responsible for damage to work during shipping or delivery. Works are insured while on The Print Center’s premises.
CALENDAR
Submission Deadline: June 15, 2021, 11:59 PM (ET) – ENTER HERE
Notification of Semifinalists and Finalists by email: September 15, 2021
Solo Exhibitions and Digital Exhibition at The Print Center: January – March 2022 (specific dates TBD)
Online Portfolio: Launches February 2022
CONTACT
Direct questions to info@printcenter.org.
