Since 2018 the Triennial of Photography and the House of Photography at Deichtorhallen Hamburg is member of the FUTURES Photography Platform, which was founded and supported by the EU cultural program Creative Europe. Today the platform is consisting of more than 20 member institutions all over Europe.
We are excited to announce an open call for the next cohort of FUTURES talents for the year 2025. Five photographers or lens-based artists will be selected to receive focused mentorship and support throughout 2025, as well as the opportunity to join the FUTURES platform—a vibrant network connecting artists to photography institutions, magazines, galleries, and festivals across Europe.

We are looking for photographers and lens-based artists with ties to or a base in Germany who bring bolt, poetic, conceptual, and experimental perspectives to their work. Applicants should be at an early or mid-career stage, driven to push boundaries, expand their artistic practice, and connect with leading European photography institutions, magazines, galleries, and festivals. While your work should revolve around photography or lens-based practices, we also encourage applications from artists working across disciplines. We are committed to fairness, respect, diversity, and transparency and strongly encourage you to apply. 
The open call is free of charge. 

Benefits: 
FUTURES is more than a platform—it’s a gateway to professional growth and artistic visibility. As one of the selected talents, you’ll gain access to a Europe-wide network of curators, galleries, institutions, and audiences. You’ll receive personalized mentorship and participate in exclusive reviews, meetings, and events throughout 2025.
In addition, selected artists will receive. In the nomination year: 

• An artist fee of €500.
• Coverage of travel and accommodation costs for the annual FUTURES event in September 2025
• Tailored guidance from the Creative Team of the Triennial of Photography Hamburg and the House of Photography, ensuring your work reaches its full potential
• Four online Futures Conversations with experts
• Possibility to participate in the call for the Annual Exhibition (that travels through some members in Europe)
• Chance to request a tutoring session 
• Published on the FUTURES website 
• Promotion via social media channels FUTURES and catalogues
• Invitations to events across the platform’s members
• Access to an online learning program with Magnum Photos

In the following years. You keep the following benefits:

• Ability to participate in Futures Conversations (exclusive for FUTURES artists, limited availability)
• Possibility to participate in the call for the Annual Exhibition (exclusively for FUTURES artists)
• Chance to request a tutoring session
• Published on the FUTURES website 
• Invitations to events across the platform’s members
• Access to an online learning program with Magnum Photos

Application:

To be considered, submit a single PDF (maximum 3MB) to by January 10, 2025. The document should include:

• A brief CV summarizing your career.
• A concise artist statement.
• Examples of relevant projects or works, including images with captions or brief descriptions if necessary.
• Education in the field of photography/art and/or continual professional experience within the last 3 years (since 2021), e.g. participation in an exhibition or publication.

The jury—comprising esteemed curators and representatives from the 9th Triennial of Photography, the House of Photography at Deichtorhallen, and Freundeskreis der Photographie Hamburg—will review applications and announce the selected talents on February 1, 2025.

Jury:

• Mark Sealy (Artistic Director, 9th Triennial)
• Bettina Freimann (Project Director, 9th Triennial)
• Cale Garrido (Curator, 9th Triennial)
• Nadine Isabelle Henrich (Curator, House of Photography)
• Representative of Freundeskreis des Hauses der Photographie (tbc)

Timeline:

• Application Deadline: January 10, 2025
• Jury Meeting: January 16, 2025
• Announcement of Winners: February 1, 2025

Take this chance to amplify your career and join a thriving network of Europe’s leading photographic voices. We look forward to seeing your work!

FUTURES is founded by Creative Europe a program of the European Union.