Open Call: FUTURES 2026

We are excited to announce the Open Call for FUTURES Talents 2026. Five photographers or artists will be selected to receive targeted support and mentoring throughout 2026. At the same time, they will become part of the dynamic FUTURES network, connecting artists with photography institutions, magazines, galleries, and festivals across Europe.

Since 2018, the Triennial of Photography and the House of Photography at the Deichtorhallen Hamburg have been members of FUTURES, a European photography platform and initiative supported by Creative Europe. Today, FUTURES brings together over 20 institutions from across Europe.

• Photographers and artists with a lens-based or image-focused practice who live in Germany or have a strong connection to the country.
• The main focus of the artistic practice should be photography or image-based media; interdisciplinary approaches are explicitly welcome.
• Bold, poetic, conceptual, and experimental perspectives that are unafraid to challenge boundaries.
• Applicants should be at an early or mid-career stage and willing to further develop their practice — including through networking with leading European photography institutions, magazines, galleries, and festivals.

We value fairness, respect, diversity, and transparency, and we look forward to receiving your application.

FUTURES is more than a platform: it is a launchpad for professional development and artistic visibility. Selected talents gain access to a Europe-wide network of curators, galleries, institutions, and a broad audience. In addition, they benefit from a tailored mentoring program and participation in exclusive reviews, meetings, and events throughout 2026.

In the nomination year 2026, selected talents will receive:

• €500 honorarium
• Travel and accommodation for the annual FUTURES Event in autumn 2026
• Travel and accommodation (one night) for the Onboarding meeting in Hamburg during the 9th Triennial of Photography Hamburg 2026
• Individual mentoring from the Triennial of Photography Hamburg and the House of Photography
• Participation in four FUTURES Conversations with experts
• Opportunity to apply for the annual traveling exhibition organized with FUTURES member institutions across Europe
• Access to a tutoring session upon request
• Publication on the FUTURES website
• Visibility through FUTURES social media channels and catalogues, plus additional exposure via the Triennial of Photography digital channels
• Invitations to events within the network
• Access to an online learning programme in collaboration with Magnum Photos

In the following years, talents can continue to benefit from:

• Further participation in FUTURES Conversations (exclusive spots for FUTURES Talents)
• Opportunities to apply for the annual traveling exhibition
• Tutoring sessions on request
• Continued publication on the FUTURES website
• Invitations to network events
• Ongoing access to the online learning program with Magnum Photos

Please submit your application by January 11, 2026 as a single PDF (max. 3 MB) to .

The PDF should include:

• A short CV highlighting your key career milestones
• An artist statement
• Project or work samples, including images and, where relevant, captions or brief descriptions
• Proof of training or ongoing professional practice in photography/art over the last three years (since 2022), e.g., through exhibitions or publications

Participation in the Open Call is free of charge.

The jury consists of curators and representatives from the 9th Triennial of Photography 2026 and the House of Photography:

• Mark Sealy (Artistic Director, 9th Triennial)
• Bettina Freimann (Project Director, 9th Triennial)
• Cale Garrido (Curator, 9th Triennial)
• Nadine Isabelle Henrich (Curator, House of Photography)

• Application deadline: January 11, 2026
• Announcement of selected talents: February 1, 2026

Take this opportunity to advance your artistic development and become part of a vibrant European network.

We look forward to your submissions!

FUTURES is funded by Creative Europe, a programme of the European Union.