Triennial Expanded

With Triennial Expanded, the 9th Triennial of Photography Hamburg 2026 once again advocates for visibility of Hamburg’s independent photography scene. The programme aims to connect the international and local photography scene and foster new relationships. Hamburg-based photographers, artists and collectives, as well as art spaces and galleries from Hamburg, are invited to engage with the thematic framework of the 9th Triennial and respond artistically. Selected projects will receive funding and be included in the official festival programme. 

Triennial Expanded will take place during the Opening Days, from June 4 to 14, 2026. 

The 9th Triennial of Photography Hamburg 2026, titled Alliance, Infinity, Love – in the Face of the Other, celebrates the creative potential of Alliance, Infinity, and Love, while calling for responsibility towards the Other.

The festival seeks to amplify a broad spectrum of photographic voices —established and emerging, visible and overlooked— that challenge dominant narratives, reclaim forgotten perspectives, and foster dialogue across social and cultural divides.

Objective and Open Call 

The aim of Triennial Expanded is to highlight the local photography scene for a national and international audience during the Opening Days (June 4 to 14, 2026). The program is directed at Hamburg-based independent photographers, artists, curators, and collectives, as well as project spaces and galleries in Hamburg. We are looking for photographers and artists that have a lens-based practice and engage, explore, respond to and reflect on photography as a medium.  
 
Submitted projects should conceptually relate to the central themes of the 9th Triennial and interpret them in experimental, poetic, bold, or unexpected ways. In addition to photographic and lens-based works, interdisciplinary approaches and educational formats are also welcome—especially those specifically designed for children and young people. 

Jury 

The projects for Triennial Expanded are selected by the artistic director Mark Sealy and a professional jury. The jury members include Bettina Freimann (Project Director of the 9th Triennial), Cale Garrido (Curator of the 9th Triennial), Stephanie Bunk (Curator and Board Member of the Freundeskreis der Photographie), Hanna Schneider (Head of Film and Photography, Hamburg Ministry of Culture and Media) and Joanna Warsza (City Curator Hamburg).

Submission period 

The submission period started on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at 11:00 AM and ended on Monday, September 15, 2025, at 11:59 PM (CEST). 

All applicants will be informed of the jury’s decision by email at the end of September 2025.  

Note:
The notification is slightly delayed. All applicants will now be informed of the jury’s decision by e-mail in the first half of October. Thank you for your understanding!

The official announcement of the funded projects will be made in mid-October 2025 on the website as well as on the Instagram account and newsletter of the 9th Triennial. 

The privacy policy of the Triennial of Photography Hamburg applies, available here.