Deadline: 01 September 2012
Open to: artists and scholars in photography with a proven and significant record of past achievements
Prize: $ 45,000
Description
In recognition of photography as a leading contemporary cultural medium, this new prize was initiated by the Shpilman Family and the Shpilman Institute for Photography together with the Israel Museum with the joint objectives of stimulating, encouraging and cultivating international research projects in photography and of broadening the range of photographic investigations which integrate theoretical issues with practical ones.
The Shpilman Prize is open to all and free of prejudices of race, nationality, religion or gender. Potential candidates may include artists and scholars in photography with a proven and significant record of past achievements who intend to undertake a research project of consequence in the field. Entrants should have already accomplished a significant body of work and significant professional credentials.
Candidates for the prize must be nominated by experienced professionals in art and/or photography affiliated with non-commercial artistic, cultural or academic institutions.
Eligibility
Applications to the Shpilman Prize have to conform strictly to the terms set by the regulations. The proposed research projects should be of a practical nature and involve a strong theoretical basis. The combination of photographic theory and practice should be at the core of any submission.
Prize
Except for very special reasons, the Prize in the amount of $45,000 cannot be divided.
The prize will be remitted to the recipient in three installments, a third upon announcement, at the award ceremony, a third half way along the project, subject to the submission of a progress report, and the last portion upon completion and submission of the final material. The full amount of the prize will have to be applied by the recipient entirely to the creation and completion of the research project for which it is awarded. All additional expenses for publication and/or possible exhibition will be borne by the Israel Museum through the support of the Shpilman Institute for Photography. It is in the jury’s discretion not to award the prize if a suitable proposal could not be selected. In this case the prize will be transferred to the following year.
Application
All applications should be in English only and include:
– A duly completed application form signed by the candidate and validated by the nominator as to its accuracy. The applicant will confirm in writing that his proposal is an original idea exclusively presented to the Shpilman Photography Prize and has not been submitted previously or concurrently to any other prize, grant, venue, or similar purpose.
– The nomination text should be of no more than 500 words by a recognized nominator, an authority in the fields of art and/or photography or cultural or academic institution with supporting arguments as to the qualifications of the candidate and the importance and validity of the proposed project explaining the nominator’s recommendation.
– A concise biography of the candidate’s professional background, studies, exhibitions, publications, grants and prizes received.
– An explanatory brief of no more than 1000 words by the candidate outlining the project presented for the award. The candidate must agree to finish the project by December 2014 at the latest, for catalogue publication deadline and the creation of the exhibition if applicable. This document must be signed by the candidate.
– Candidates shall submit a selection of 10-25 photographs (no larger than 16”x20” 40x50cm), referring both to their past work, and if applicable, preparatory sketches for their future project, as well as published material e.g. books, articles, and/or other relevant printed material. It is preferable not to send digital material.
– The Israel Museum will not be held responsible for the loss of submissions in transit. At the end of the judging process all unused supporting materials will be returned to the candidates. The application forms and other relevant information will be kept for the archives of the prize. Submissions should also include a self-addressed envelope for the return of the material.
– Any employees or persons presently affiliated with the members of the jury, with the Israel Museum and/or the Shpilman Art and Culture Foundation are not allowed to apply for the prize, or be nominators and any such candidacies will automatically be disqualified.