The Jerwood/Photoworks Awards are a major commissioning opportunity supporting early-career artists working with photography to make new work and significantly develop their practice. They particularly seek to encourage artists to explore new approaches to photography.
Now in the fifth edition, the Awards will support two early-career, UK-based artists to realise ambitious new works for an opening exhibition at Somerset House in 2025 before touring nationally.
Two artists will receive a £15,000 award each with a full package of support from Photoworks and Jerwood Arts to create new work over a 12-month period. This includes:
- £10,000 artist fee
- £5,000 production budget
- Access to a £5,000 printing budget from print partner Spectrum Photographic
- Mentoring support from a high-profile international pool of experts for at least 12-months
- Curatorial support from Photoworks and Somerset House
- An opening exhibition at Somerset House
- A UK touring exhibition
The national call for entries will launch in September 2023 via the Photoworks website. There is no age limit or fee to apply. Previous recipients have included Heather Agyepong, Joanne Coates, Silvia Rosi, Theo Simpson, Alejandra Carles-Tolra, Sam Laughlin, Lua Ribeira, Matthew Finn, Joanna Piotrowska and Tereza Zelenkova.
Louise Fedotov-Clements, incoming Director of Photoworks, said:
“I’m excited to have the opportunity to shape the next edition of these critically important awards for discovering the next generation of outstanding artists working with photography.”
Lilli Geissendorfer, Director of Jerwood Arts, said:
“Since 2015, the Jerwood/Photoworks Awards have identified and nurtured ten exceptional photographers, providing a well-resourced opportunity for them to push and play with discipline boundaries. I’m delighted we’re able to support a further edition at this crucial time.”
Dr Cliff Lauson, Director of Exhibitions at Somerset House, said:
“These Awards add a new and exciting dimension to Somerset House’s existing reputation for presenting contemporary photography, including exhibitions such as BLACK VENUS as well as annual partnerships with Photo London and The Sony World Photography Awards. Additionally, the way that the awards include mentoring and creative support for artists toward their first significant public presentation very much aligns with Somerset House’s ethos of incubating and developing early-career talent.”
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The Jerwood/Photoworks Awards are supported by Jerwood Arts, Photoworks and Spectrum Photographic.
About Photoworks
Photoworks champions photography for everyone. We are an international platform, global in reach, and have provided opportunities for artists and audiences since 1995. We do not have a physical venue, but our online channels are always open. Our programme brings new experiences to audiences and opens up new ways to encounter photography. Photoworks is a registered charity and the only organisation with a national remit for photography in England. Our work is supported by public funding through Arts Council England’s National Portfolio.
About Somerset House
Step Inside, Think Outside
As the home of cultural innovators, Somerset House is a site of origination, with a cultural programme offering alternative perspectives on the biggest issues of our time. We are a place of joy and discovery, where everyone is invited to Step Inside and Think Outside.
From our historic site in the heart of London, we work globally across art, creativity, business, and non-profit, nurturing new talent, methods and technologies. Our resident community of creative enterprises, arts organisations, artists and makers, makes us a centre of ideas, with most of our programme home-grown.
We sit at the meeting point of artistic and social innovation, bringing worlds and minds together to create surprising and often magical results. Our spirit of constant curiosity and counter perspective is integral to our history and key to our future.
