Magnum Foundation’s Photography and Social Justice Program supports and trains early career and emerging photographers, artists, journalists, scholars, and activists who are passionate about challenging injustice, pursuing social equality, and advancing human rights through photography. The Photography and Social Justice Program builds capacity and community among a diverse, international network of Fellows who have not had access to mentorship or training in photography but can demonstrate a commitment to activism and social justice. Priority will be given to applicants from regions and communities where freedom of expression is limited. Using New York City as a cultural resource, the program provides space for interdisciplinary experimentation and cross-cultural, critical discourse at the intersection of photography and social justice.
The Photography and Social Justice Fellowship takes place over the course of six months, and includes two laboratories, one in the summer and one the following winter, held at CUNY’s Graduate School of Journalism in New York City that include technical trainings, lectures, and discussions exploring photography as a medium for social engagement. In this six-month period, fellows also produce a body of work that aims to advance social justice in their communities with mentorship from accomplished photographers, artists, and others from Magnum Foundation’s network. During the laboratories in New York City, the Fellowship covers the cost of travel, room, and board. Fellows also receive a modest stipend to support production of their projects.
Photography and Social Justice Fellows are selected by Magnum Foundation through a competitive online application process. International Fellows must be from regions outside of the United States and Western Europe where there are few opportunities for training and little access to mentorship in photography. International Fellows should not have had previous formal training in photography at the university level in the United States or Western Europe. Photography and Social Justice Fellows must be proficient in spoken and written English. All instruction will be in English and there will be no simultaneous translation for instruction or discussion during the course sessions. All finalists for the fellowship will be interviewed to ensure verbal proficiency in English. This year the Photography and Social Justice program will include Fellows from the United States, by invitation only.
Applications are due by January 24th, 2017.
About Magnum Foundation
Magnum Foundation is a non-profit organization that expands creativity and diversity in documentary photography, activating new audiences and ideas through the innovative use of images. Through grantmaking, mentoring, and creative collaborations, we partner with socially engaged image-makers experimenting with new models of storytelling.
About the Photography and Social Justice Program
Photography and Social Justice Fellows are selected by mid–February. In April and May, Fellows will attend weekly online meetings. These initial online sessions provide groundwork for the fellowship and a forum for the Fellows to develop their project ideas. The first Laboratory is three week session June 5 – 23, 2017 hosted by CUNY’s Graduate School of Journalism in New York City. This first laboratory session focuses on project development, discussion, experimentation and includes intensive workshops on critical skill sets such as picture editing, video and audio production, and exploration of new tools and platforms. Between the first and second Laboratories, Fellows will work on their projects in their home communities and attend regular online meetings with Magnum Foundation mentors. The second laboratory will be Jan 3 – 23, 2018. This session will include a final review of the Fellows’ projects and focus on social engagement and creative presentation strategies.
Photography and Social Justice Fellowship Timeline
- January 24th: Applications due
- mid-February: Fellows Selected and notified
- April–May: Online Sessions and Project Development
- Laboratory 1: three weeks, June 5th–23rd 2017
- Laboratory 2: one week, January 3rd –10th 2018
