The Rencontres d’Arles photography festival has launched its Discovery Award 2025. An advocacy platform for emerging photographers supported by the Louis Roederer Foundation, which is celebrating its 56th edition. This award remains a crucial springboard for artistic talents seeking international recognition.
Each year, the award transforms promising photographers’ careers through carefully curated exhibitions. During the summer 2025 festival, selected artists will compete for two significant prizes: the Jury Award of €15,000 and the Public Award of €5,000, both awarded through artwork acquisitions that permanently preserve the winning pieces in the Arles collection.
Curator César González-Aguirre brings a distinctive vision to this year’s award, seeking photographs that eloquently connect personal narratives with universal experiences. His approach emphasizes storytelling that explores themes of memory, identity, and contemporary global perspectives.
Photographers, art institutions and galleries are invited to submit proposals for artists who have not yet gained international exposure. The comprehensive application must include the artist’s biography, portfolio, and exhibition concept, with submissions closing on November 18, 2024.
The Discovery Award 2025 represents more than a competition—it’s a dedicated effort to amplify diverse photographic voices and provide a meaningful platform for emerging visual storytellers.
The Rencontres d’Arles Discovery Award 2025 prizes
Winning the Rencontres d’Arles Discovery Award is more than securing a cash prize: it’s about gaining a pivotal moment of recognition in an artist’s career. The competition’s two awards represent a meaningful investment in emerging photographic talent:
- the Jury Award: €15,000
- the Public Award: €5,000
The Discovery Award 2025 offers artists and their organizations a powerful platform for professional growth. By acquiring selected works for the festival’s permanent collection, Rencontres d’Arles creates a lasting tribute to innovative visual storytelling.
The true value lies beyond the monetary award. Artists gain international visibility, professional credibility, and a significant milestone in their artistic journey. It’s an opportunity that can open doors to future exhibitions, collaborations, and artistic opportunities within the global art community. All these factors make this Discovery Awards 2025 one of the best photography competitions to enter that you can find on our website.
The categories of the Discovery Award 2025 by Louis Roederer Foundation
The Discovery Award 2025 invites entries without fixed categories, giving organizations and artists the freedom to explore broad interpretations of photography. The contest encourages artists to delve into both local and global themes through their own unique lenses. This open-ended format lets curators and photographers bring a variety of cultural, social, and personal stories to life, creating a rich tapestry of perspectives in the exhibition.
With this flexibility, the Discovery Award emphasizes the limitless potential of photographic storytelling. Artists are encouraged to explore any style, genre, or technique, focusing on using photography to build connections and convey impactful messages through their art.
Rencontres d’Arles Discovery Award 2025 by Louis Roederer Foundation dates and entry fees
The Discovery Award 2025 follows a clear timetable designed to assist artists and institutions in organizing their submissions effectively:
- September 12, 2024: Call for applications opens
- November 18, 2024: Application deadline (midnight Paris time)
- January 2025: Shortlisted projects announced
- March to May 2025: Production period for selected exhibitions
- June 2025: Exhibitions mounted for festival opening
- Summer 2025: Discovery Award projects exhibited
Participation in these Rencontres d’Arles Discovery Award 2025 is free of charge. This makes this award one of our outstanding free photo contests.
For more information and to enter the competition, visit: rencontres-arles.com/en/prix-decouverte-appel-a-candidatures/
