URBAN Photo Awards is an **international contest** that takes place from the beginning of April to the end of May and culminates in the last weekend of October, through its concluding event: **Trieste Photo Days**, where cultural events and artists from all over the continent converge. This year, Trieste Photo Days will be held from October 24th to 26th.

  
URBAN Photo Awards returns in 2025 as an international platform for photographers; each edition welcomes world-renowned authors as judges and special guests. It is one of the few contests able to cross the boundaries of the web and offer participants real visibility: URBAN is committed to discovering talent and promoting photographic quality, giving professionals and enthusiasts the opportunity to emerge on an international scene.

  
Having become an international competition in constant expansion, the contest attracts thousands of participants every year and collects tens of thousands of photographs in competition.

  
The first important names in the judging commission for 2025 have already been confirmed, and they can’t wait to see your work! The President will be Matt Black (documentary photographer, member of the Magnum Photos agency), followed by Paolo Verzone (member of the VU Photo Agency, known for long-term documentary photography projects) and Denis Curti (artistic director of Le Stanze della Fotografia in Venice and photography critic for the pages of Corriere della Sera). They will be responsible for evaluating the Projects & Portfolios, Single Photos, and projects intended for the Book Award, respectively.

**Prizes:**

* Free 2-night stay for 2 at the festival and gala dinner included
* Media coverage on the best Photo Magazines
* Trophies and medals by Venice Biennale artist Giorgio Celiberti
* Over 10.000 € in Amazon Gift Cards

There are many prizes to be won, not only for the Winners, but also for HonorableMentions and Remarkable Rewards. Among the participants in the four categories that make up the Single Photo section, an overall winner will be chosen, who will be awarded the title of Photographer of the Year 2025 and our most prestigious prizes.

Urban Photo Awards

This year’s PhotoVogue Global Open Call celebrates the limitless ways women see and are seen—embracing photography and film as powerful tools to reclaim, redefine, and expand visual storytelling.

  
**The Urgency of Representation**

The illusion of linear progress – the belief that rights, visibility, and recognition are irrevocable – has been shattered by the current political climate. Around the world, we are witnessing increasing pushback against women's autonomy, from reproductive rights to freedom of expression, reminding us that what once seemed secure can also be taken away.

  
As these rights are contested, it becomes more urgent than ever to not only consider how women see but how they continue to carve out spaces for their perspectives. In a world where their ability to shape narratives and define vision remains a battleground, representation is both an act of resistance and a tool for change.

For generations, women have fought not only to reclaim how they are seen but to assert their right to see on their own terms. Photography and video have long been arenas where vision is not just about aesthetics but about power.

  
This year's PhotoVogue Global Open Call is dedicated to Women by Women – a celebration of the myriad ways women represent themselves and each other through photography and video.

  
**From The Female Gaze to Women’s Vision**

This is not a new conversation. In 2016, the PhotoVogue Festival explored The Female Gaze, featuring artists such as Cindy Sherman, Petra Collins, Aida Muluneh, Nan Goldin, and Zanele Muholi. At the time, it felt urgent and revolutionary – a necessary counterpoint to the Male Gaze theorized by Laura Mulvey. A new generation of female photographers and filmmakers was reclaiming their right to look and be looked at on their own terms.

  
Nearly a decade later, we ask: Does The Female Gaze still capture the evolving complexity of how women see today? While female-led perspectives in photography, film, and video have expanded, systemic barriers persist. Women continue to face disparities in visibility, opportunity, and financial stability. Meanwhile, digital platforms, while offering new avenues for representation, have also intensified scrutiny, commodified feminist narratives, and constrained women's freedom of expression.

  
Perhaps _The Female Gaze_, as a direct response to _The Male Gaze_, is no longer sufficient – it remains tied to a binary opposition. Instead, contemporary feminist and critical theories have expanded our understanding of vision and representation, moving beyond rigid categories to embrace fluidity, intersectionality, and self-definition.

  
**Women by Women: Reclaiming the Narrative**

In 2016, _The Female Gaze_ was a crucial intervention in a world where women's perspectives had long been overlooked. It was an essential step in reclaiming space in visual culture.

  
Nearly a decade later, the conversation must evolve. This open call moves beyond a binary response to _The Male Gaze_, embracing a more fluid, intersectional approach that reflects the complexities of identity, power, and representation today.

  
In 2025, Women by Women affirms that women's vision is not merely a reaction to The Male Gaze – it is a powerful force in its own right, free to shape its own narrative.

  
If the camera is power, then let's wield it – in our own voices, in our own thousand ways.

**We are awarding a total of $12,000 in grants to three artists whose work challenges conventions and expands creative possibilities:**

* $6,000 – Outstanding Vision Grant – _For an artist pushing creative boundaries._
* $4,000 – Vision Grant – _For an artist with a compelling and unique perspective._
* $2,000 – Rising Voice Grant – _For an emerging artist showing originality and promise._

  
**Selected artists will also:**

* Be showcased at the next edition of the PhotoVogue Festival
* Have the opportunity to be published in Vogue editions worldwide
* Be selected to participate in the next PhotoVogue Virtual Portfolio Reviews

Women by Women: A Global Open Call by PhotoVogue

1st Entry: $93.00 (includes free copy of 17th/18th ARC Salon book if shipping is paid at checkout), Addt'l entries: $73, Same work in addt'l category: $53, Students 13-19 yrs old competing in the Teen Category: $28

When talking about competitions dedicated to 21st Century Realism, the Art Renewal Center’s International ARC Salon® is the largest in the world, receiving over 5,000 entries from 87 countries last competition. It is no wonder why artists are entering. With over $130,000 in cash awards and international recognition through the ARC website which receives over 2,000,000 visitors annually, the ARC Salon also offers career changing opportunities through partnerships with prestigious magazines, museums, galleries and more. Don’t miss your chance to compete! Categories include: Figurative, Portraiture, Imaginative Realism, Drawing, Landscape, Still Life, Plein Air Painting, Fully From Life, Sculpture, Animals, and a special category for teens.

Over $130,000 in cash awards total

  
Best in Show: $25,000 cash

Over 180 awards and honorable mentions.

1st, 2nd, and 3rd place plus 8 honorable mentions in each of 11 categories

Over $60,000 in purchase awards

14 publication awards provided by leading publications in the field including: Fine Art Connoisseur, Artists & Illustrators Magazine, American Art Collector, Southwest Art Magazine, American Fine Art Magazine, Western Art Collector, International Artist, PleinAir Magazine, Sheng Xinyu Art, The Artist Magazine, 33PA, Enchanted Living, INSIDEART, and American Essence Magazine

Opportunity to be chosen to create new works for a special group exhibition and sale at Rehs Contemporary Galleries, inc. New York City

Chance to have your work exhibited in the live exhibition, planned for Sotheby’s NY in July, 2026.

Chance to have your work exhibited at the European Museum of Modern Art (MEAM) Barcelona, Spain

Chance to have your work exhibited at the Springville Museum of Art, Utah

  
Opportunity to be chosen by Fashion Week San Diego (FWSD) to participate in an exclusive opportunity with FWSD designers.

Additional special awards include Best Marine themed Work and 2 honorable mentions provided by the American Society of Marine Artists (ASMA), Best Nude, Best Trompe L’oeil, Best Watercolor, Best Pastel, Best Social Commentary, Most Ambitious Work, the William Bouguereau Award, People’s Choice Award, Chairman ‘s Choice Awards, ARC Staff Awards and more.

Possibility of being selected for inclusion in the 17th /18th ARC Salon Book, International Realism, published by ACC Art Books.

  
All semi-finalists, finalists and winners will be published on the Art Renewal Center website which receives over 2,000,000 visitors annually.

Call For Entries: 18th International ARC Salon Competition

The Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize is an annual open exhibition dedicated to drawing. The Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize and exhibition has an established reputation for its commitment to promoting excellence in, and celebrating the breadth of, contemporary drawing practice. This open exhibition is a platform for drawing practitioners to showcase their work alongside other leading contemporary artists and makers in the field with the exhibition launched in London and touring widely in the UK. In offering emerging, mid-career and established artists and makers an influential platform to exhibit their drawings, this longstanding exhibition project has developed new insights into the role and value of drawing in creative practice today. The exhibition is selected from a submission of original artworks by an annually appointed Selection Panel.

  
Artists and drawing practitioners worldwide are invited to submit up to three drawings for consideration by the distinguished Selection Panel. The annual open exhibition has a longstanding reputation for celebrating excellence in contemporary drawing practice and is led by its founding Director, Professor Anita Taylor.

All selected works will be included in a high-profile exhibition that will launch at Trinity Buoy Wharf in London on 9 October 2025 and then tours widely in the UK until July 2026\. The exhibition will be accompanied by a fully illustrated publication and a programme of educational and engagement activities, including a symposium at Trinity Buoy Wharf.

  
Drawings shortlisted for the Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize 2025 eligible for the following awards:

  
* First Prize: £8,000
* Second Prize: £5,000
* Student Award: £2,000
* Evelyn Williams Drawing Award: £10,000

Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize 2025

This year's PhotoVogue Regional Open Call celebrates the diverse voices and dynamic creativity of regions within East and Southeast Asia, highlighting unique perspectives that push boundaries and redefine storytelling.

  
In celebration of the vibrant cultures and rich visual storytelling traditions of East and Southeast Asia, PhotoVogue is launching a Regional Open Call for photographers and videomakers from the following countries and regions and their diaspora: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam.

  
This initiative aims to discover and promote the most talented visual artists from these regions, providing them with opportunities to emerge and collaborate within the Condé Nast global network.

  
The call welcomes all genres – from fashion to documentary, art, and reportage – and invites submissions from those who express themselves through photography and/or video. It is open to anyone who identifies with the heritage of the aforementioned countries, whether based in the region or elsewhere in the world. We are looking for diverse voices that reflect the region's multicultural essence, capturing its rapidly evolving urban landscapes and deeply rooted traditional heritage.

  
Submissions will be evaluated by a jury composed of global Condé Nast staff, including representatives from Vogue Japan, Vogue Taiwan, Vogue Singapore, Vogue Korea, Vogue Philippines and Vogue Thailand. Stay tuned for the announcement of the full jury panel.

**A total of $8,000 in grants will be awarded to three outstanding artists:**

* $4,500 – Outstanding Vision Grant: For an artist whose work redefines creative boundaries and sets new artistic standards.
* $2,000 – Vision Grant: For an artist with a unique perspective and a strong artistic voice.
* $1,500 – Rising Voice Grant: For a promising artist whose work shows originality and strong potential.

  
**Recognition & Exposure - Selected artists will:**

* ✅ Be showcased at the next edition of the PhotoVogue Festival
* ✅ Have the opportunity to be published in Vogue editions worldwide
* ✅ Be selected to participate in the next PhotoVogue Virtual Portfolio Reviews

East And Southeast Asian Panorama

The Seoul Design Award is a platform that showcases the role of design in enriching everyday life and inspiring the daily lives of people around the world, gathering and communicating best practices. The award is given to designers or organizations that contribute to sustainable development by solving complex everyday problems through creative design. Celebrating its 4th year, the Seoul Design Award 2023 pays attention to design projects in various fields that contain regional backgrounds, processes, results, and visions, and widely publicizes how the projects' impact, innovation, and inclusiveness are realized for people and society.

Design projects in all fields realized within 5 years by designers and planners who  contributed to a more sustainable and  harmonious future between people and people,  people and society, people and the environment,  and people and nature. 

Seoul Design Award for Sustainable Life

This is an illustration contest (competition) that the Japan Illustrators' Association (JIA) recruits from all over the world once a year.

  
This open call for participants exhibition is being held to discover new illustrators. The total prize money is 800,000 yen, and there will be a public exhibition, the "JIA Illustration Award winning works Exhibition" in China, that will be a gateway for illustrators who have the ability but have not yet seen the light of day, and who cannot meet big jobs.

  
Many people involved in publishing and advertising will be paying attention!

Entry fees rise as: 9000¥ for 2, 12000¥ for 3, 14000¥ for 4 and 15000¥ for 5 pieces.

* GRAND PRIX (1 artist) - Prize money 500,000 yen
* Gold award (1 artist) - Prize money 200,000 yen
* Platinum award (1 artist) Prize money 100,000 yen
* Award-winning works can be exhibited free of charge at the "JIA Illustration Award Winning Works Exhibition" held in China. A collection of winning works will be published, and winners can post their works for free.

JIA Illustration Award 2025

**Open Call no.3: Choreography**

  
_To elevate, to flow, to convert – Rituals, Ceremonies, Celebrations, Commemorations, Chants, Recipes, Conundrums_

  
This open call invites contributions that explore the choral nature of life and how it can unfold beyond choreographies of power. How do we move together when rhythms are imposed, fractured, or disrupted? What steps do we follow when the familiar patterns of movement reinforce asymmetries rather than transformation?

  
We are interested in the tensions between constraint and improvisation, repetition, and rupture – those habits, behaviors, and mentalities that persist even as we attempt to forge new constellations and dynamics. This fall, we reflect on the complex movements of bodies and goods within nature-cultural environments, tracing the shifting rhythms that shape our relationships and collective actions beyond the fluxes and trends of capital extraction and consumption.

  
In this process, we examine how attachment to certain values – whether inherited, imposed, or chosen – choreograph our movements through change, synchronizing solidarities or disrupting patterns of co-optation. We seek a range of formats that explore these questions from embodied, analytical, and historical perspectives.

  
**Topics:**

* **Borders and Bodies in Motion:**
* The movement of people across borders as a reflection of power, migration, and resistance – looking at how bodies navigate shifting political landscapes.
* **Collective Decision-Making Rituals:**
* Exploring the choreographed nature of decision-making in collectives, and how power and agency are shared or contested in these spaces.
* **Rituals of Resistance:**
* The embodied practices, from protests to ceremonies, that serve as acts of resistance to the forces of power and oppression.
* **Embodied Activism:**
* How activism is embodied – through performance art, protests, or everyday acts of political agency.
* **Collective Movement and Solidarity:**
* Exploring how people move together in solidarity, whether in large-scale political movements or intimate, local efforts.
* **Rehearsing for a New World:**
* Reflecting on the behaviors, mentalities, and habits that persist even in efforts to create change, and how we can unlearn these patterns.
* **Ceremonial Choreography:**
* The ways ceremonies and public rituals serve as political or cultural choreography, shaping collective memory and resistance.
* **Intergenerational Choreographies:**
* The passing down of political, cultural, and activist rituals between generations – what do such choreographies look like across time?

  
**Formats:**

* **Manifestos or Protocols:**
* A declaration or set of guidelines for collective action, focusing on the embodied and choreographed nature of resistance.
* **Scores or Scripts:**
* Written or visual representations of choreographed actions, whether in protest, ritual, or collective action.
* **Speculative Fiction:**
* Submissions that imagine new forms of choreography for a future world–how will collective bodies move in a radically different political reality?
* **Critical Reflections on Art and Activism:**
* Essays that analyze specific movements or artistic practices that have changed the way we “do” politics together.
* **Visual Contributions:**
* Photographs, performance documentation, or hybrid documentation of political, activist, or artistic performances that focus on the embodied aspects of social change.

If we know the price of everything and the value of nothing – as Oscar Wilde quipped of economists – what is your currency of choice? What do you attach value to? Whether connected to capital accumulation or spiritual doctrines, value is not fixed. Value shifts in time and can be collectively negotiated. As a street newspaper, we set out from the value we create through knowledge production and distribution in today’s precarious conditions. We see the possibility of interrogating and refining the role of culture as a means to shape a different form of currency in the ongoing fight against scarcity, exploitation, and fascism.

  
In 2025, _Arts of the Working Class (AWC)_ invites you to join us in this inquiry through our editorial program, exploring themes that inspire collective reflection. Through four open calls, we will explore the concepts of **Experience**, **Transfiguration**, **Choreography**, and **Relationships**. Each call serves as a foundation for contributions that engage these themes in diverse and personal ways. We invite you to share your insights and creative responses to these pressing issues.

  
We aim to publish up to 10 submissions per issue and will select additional works for our online editions. Given our underfunded editorial labor, we ask for intellectual solidarity in exchange for exposure and the editorial guidance we offer in the publishing process. Our long-term goal is to ensure full compensation for all contributors, but we currently don’t have the means to achieve this. We are committed to providing feedback for all submissions, acknowledging the time and effort involved.

Open Call #3: CHOREOGRAPHY

Numéro+ Switzerland is pleased to announce its third photography contest, a celebration where imagination and talent shape timeless beauty. This year's theme is "Timeless Beauty".

  
We invite photographers and visual artists from around the world to capture what they deem eternal, showcasing their unique visions and perspectives.

  
All forms of image creation are welcome, including photography, illustration, 3D generation, AI-generated works, and more. Whether your focus is fashion, portraiture, beauty, documentary, everyday moments, character design, or innovative digital art, we encourage you to participate in this inspiring competition.

  
New this year: We are thrilled to announce that video submissions will now be part of the competition, allowing artists to explore motion and storytelling in their interpretation of "Timeless Beauty."

We are excited to announce a collaboration with the global lighting brand Nanlite, offering an incredible prize package for the first-place winner. The prize includes:

  
* 1 Nanlite FC-500C
* 1 Nanlite SB-RP90
* 1 Nanlite Pavo Tube I| 30C 2KIT
* 2 Nanlite EC-PRII3OC
* 2 Nanlite HD-T12-1-BHP
* 1 Nanlite PavoSlim 60C

  
In addition to these fantastic items, the winner will receive a personalised printed article highlighting their journey towards international recognition, a digital cover feature, and extensive promotion across our social media and website.

  
The winning photograph will also be featured on our Instagram feed and in a dedicated article on our website, and the overall winner will receive a copy of the printed magazine.

  
The second and third-place winners will have their photographs published on our website with dedicated articles, gaining international exposure in the fashion and art industries. All three finalists will receive a verified certificate from Numéro+ Switzerland, perfect for showcasing in their portfolios.

Numéro+ “Timeless Beauty”

📖 **Introduction**

 **To mark the** _40th anniversary of diplomatic relations_ between **China and the United Arab Emirates**, the **AFD Art Awards — The Art Fund Dubai Awards** has been officially launched.

Jointly initiated by the **Dubai Department of Culture** and the **Chinese Embassy in the UAE**, with strategic co-sponsorship from **ADQ** and **BMW Group**, the award champions _innovative practices by Chinese contemporary artists_ through a cross-cultural platform rooted in _government, international curation, and commerce_.

🤝 **Sponsorship & Partnerships**

**1\. Main Organizers**

* **Art Fund Dubai**
* **Dubai Culture**
* **Chinese Embassy in the UAE**

**2\. Co-Sponsors & Institutional Partners**

* _Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company (ADQ)_
* _Dubai Royal Cultural Affairs Office_
* _Belt and Road Cultural Development Fund_
* _China International Cultural Exchange Foundation_
* **BMW Group** (_Special Sponsor_)
* **UNESCO**
* **UNICEF**

\------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

🧮 **Judging Panel**

**1\. Oversight & Structure**

 **The jury is overseen by the** _Chinese Embassy in the UAE_ and composed of **11 international cultural leaders**, ensuring diversity, credibility, and excellence.

**2\. Key Jury Members**

* **Director, Dubai Culture**
* **Council Member, Artist Association Hong Kong**
* **President & Director, Sharjah Art Foundation**
* **Curator, Venice Biennale**
* **Director, Kunsthalle Basel**
* **Arts Advisor, Louvre Abu Dhabi**

\------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

🏆 **Award Categories**

**1\. Artist Awards**

* **Future Pioneer Award** (_Emerging Artists_)
* _For rising talents reshaping contemporary art through bold experimentation._
* **China–Arab Star Award** (_Established Artists_)
* _For mid-career artists demonstrating artistic excellence and global engagement._
* **Hall of Glory Award** (_Iconic Artists_)
* _For legendary figures whose careers have left a lasting mark on global art history._

**2\. Cross-Industry Recognition**

* **Curators** – _Visionaries driving curatorial innovation and audience experience._
* **Galleries & Institutions** – _Spaces promoting inclusivity and forward-thinking exhibitions._
* **Patrons** – _Collectors and funders empowering artistic progress._
* **Cross-Disciplinary Creators** – _Artists working across fashion, film, architecture, and more._
* **Media & Storytellers** – _Voices shaping discourse through criticism, publishing, or digital media._

\------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

✍️ **Nomination & Selection Process**

**1\. Phase One – Application Submission**

 **Apply via: www.artfunddubai.com**

 **Or email:** _awards@artfunddubai.com / amnashamsi@artfunddubai.com_

**2\. Phase Two – Jury Review**

 **Evaluated based on:**

* _Artistic Vision & Positioning_
* _Audience Engagement_
* _Technical Skill & Execution_
* _Impact & Visibility_
* **100 awardees** will be selected on a _rolling basis_.
* Winners will be announced in **July 2025**.
* A special exhibition and awards ceremony will follow at the **Al Shindagha Museum**, Dubai.

**3\. Phase Three – Final Awards**

* Finalists will undergo _public and jury voting_.
* **12 Gold Award winners** will be announced in **December 2025**.

\------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

💡 **Submission Instructions**

**1\. Accepted Artwork Categories**

* _Painting_
* _Installation_
* _Video_
* _Photography_
* _Multimedia_
* _Graphic Design_

**2\. Required Application Materials**

* **Personal Documents:** CV, Artist Statement or Biography
* **Portfolio Details:** Title, concept, year, dimensions, materials, high-resolution images or video links, and valuation (if available)
* **Personal Info:** Recent photo, contact information, and (if available) links to personal website or social media

🌍 **Global Resources**

**1\. Solo & Special Exhibitions**

* _Solo exhibition at_ **Art Dubai** (_main section_)
* _Solo exhibition at_ **Abu Dhabi Art**
* _Special exhibition at_ **Louvre Abu Dhabi**
* _Special exhibition at_ **Sinyagda Museum**, Dubai

**2\. International Commissions**

* _Curatorial commission for the_ **61st Venice Biennale**
* _Commissioned project at_ **Art Basel**, supported by **ADQ** & **BMW Group**

**3\. Creation & Innovation Funding**

* **$100,000 creation fund**, provided by the _AFD Global Art Fund_
* _Co-sponsorship through_ **BMW Group’s “Art & Technology Lab”**

**4\. Institutional & Network Support**

* _Touring and public program support via_ **ADQ Global Art Fund**
* _Inclusion in international digital showcases through_ **Dubai Design District (d3)**

\------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

📺 **Media & Publicity Resources**

**1\. Spotlight Features During Major Art Events**

* _Annual Spotlight Artist_ nomination during **Dubai Art Week** and **Atlantis Art Festival**
* _Priority for interviews, press features, and curated exhibitions_

**2\. Strategic Media Partnerships**

* **ArtReview Asia – Middle East Edition**
* _High-end visuals and video features targeting Gulf-region collectors_
* **ArtReview Power 100**
* _Automatic nomination for the annual list_
* _Opportunities for exclusive interviews and editorial coverage_
* **The National – Gulf Times (UAE)**
* _Bilingual (Arabic/English) coverage_
* _Priority placement at high-profile regional events_
* **Artforum (USA)**
* _Feature in the_ **Global Emerging Artists Index**
* _Participation in virtual exhibitions and roundtables via_ _Artforum.com_
* **Chinese Media Syndication**
* _Broad exposure via_ **CHINADAILY**, _Sina, Tencent, SOHO, JiluChina, Netease, ELLE, VOGUE, BAZAAR, People’s Daily_\*, _and others_

\------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

🎯 **Long-Term Development**

**1\. China–Arab Artist Residency Program**

* _Annual selection of_ **100 Chinese artists** _for Dubai-based residencies_
* _Emphasizing community engagement, institutional exchange, and industry integration_

\------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

👏 **Charity Auction**

**1\. Partnership with Louvre Abu Dhabi**

* _Special charity auction of donated works by participating artists_
* _Portion of proceeds to benefit_ **UN Women** _and_ **UNICEF**, _supporting global women’s and children’s programs_

Call for Artists: The Art Fund Dubai Awards

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