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Deartline is thrilled to highlight the call for entries for The Paula Riff Award 2025, an esteemed recognition dedicated to celebrating innovative practices in contemporary photography. This award honors the legacy of Paula Riff by seeking artists who demonstrate a tangible connection between their hand and their art. As one of the prominent free online photo contests available this year, it offers a unique and accessible platform for artists worldwide working at the intersection of traditional techniques and modern artistic intervention.
Established by the Center of Photographic Art (CPA) and Lenscratch, The Paula Riff Award is specifically designed for artists whose work challenges traditional photographic methods. The recipient of the award will receive a significant boost to their career, including a $1000 cash prize, prominent online features on Lenscratch and the CPA website, and a guaranteed spot in a special exhibition at the Center for Photographic Art in 2026 that will showcase the first five years of award winners. The deadline for applications is June 1, 2025.
The selection process for The Paula Riff Award is led by juror Paula Tognarelli, having served as the recently retired Executive Director of the Griffin Museum of Photography. By submitting your portfolio, you position your work to be seen by key figures in the photography community, potentially opening doors to future opportunities and further validation of your artistic path. This award is truly one of the best photography challenges online for artists pushing the boundaries of the medium.
The Paula Riff Award 2025 Prizes
The Paula Riff Award 2025 is designed to significantly support and recognize one artist pushing the boundaries of photography.
The awarded artist will receive:
- A cash prize of $1000.
- Online features showcasing their work on Lenscratch and the Center for Photographic Art website.
- Inclusion in a dedicated exhibition at the Center for Photographic Art in 2026.
It’s a unique chance among many free photo contests with cash prizes to gain targeted recognition for your artistic practice.
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The Categories of The Paula Riff Award 2025
The central theme of the The Paula Riff Award 2025 is the celebration of art that challenges conventional photography and clearly shows “the artist’s hand.” This includes work employing historical or alternative photographic processes, as well as images created through physical intervention like cutting, sewing, or other forms of manipulation. The award is interested in the artist’s engagement with the materials and methods, prioritizing innovation and materiality over traditional photographic classifications.
The Paula Riff Award 2025 Dates and Entry Fees
Here are the essential dates and information about the cost of participation in The Paula Riff Award 2025.
Important Dates:
- Call for Entries Opens: April 21, 2025
- Application Deadline: June 1, 2025
- Winner Announcement: July 2025.
Entry Fees:
Applying for The Paula Riff Award 2025 is free of charge.
How to Enter:
Entering The Paula Riff Award 2025 requires compiling all application materials into a single PDF file. This file should contain 5 to 10 images representative of your work. Additionally, you must include an image list specifying the type of print, medium, and process for each image. A brief biography with your contact details and an artist statement are also mandatory. Once this PDF is prepared, it must be uploaded using the specific Dropbox link provided on the official contest website.
About the Jury
The selection of the recipient for The Paula Riff Award 2025 will be made by a single juror, Paula Tognarelli.
Paula Tognarelli is a highly respected figure in the photography community, recently concluding a long tenure as the Executive Director of the Griffin Museum of Photography, where she oversaw numerous exhibitions. Her career has involved extensive portfolio reviews and jurying for a wide array of national and international competitions and institutions, including major awards and publications. She holds degrees in Arts Administration and is a graduate of the New England School of Photography, giving her a strong foundation in both the artistic and administrative sides of the field. Tognarelli’s experience in recognizing and promoting diverse photographic talent, combined with her history of engaging with challenging work, makes her particularly well-suited to jury an award that celebrates innovative photographic practices and the artist’s unique approach.
Why Enter The Paula Riff Award 2025?
Participating in The Paula Riff Award 2025 offers compelling reasons for artists whose work aligns with its specific focus on challenging conventional photography and highlighting the artist’s hand.
The Paula Riff Award specifically seeks and celebrates alternative processes, physical intervention, and innovative material approaches. This means your work will be evaluated within a context that deeply understands and appreciates these methods, this makes it a prime target for artists participating in experimental photography competitions. Being selected for this award offers significant visibility through online features on prominent platforms like Lenscratch and the Center for Photographic Art website, complemented by inclusion in a physical exhibition at the CPA in 2026.
Beyond exposure, the award includes tangible benefits, most notably a $1000 cash prize. Furthermore, your submission will be reviewed by Paula Tognarelli, a juror with extensive experience in the photography world and a history of championing diverse photographic practices. Having your work recognized by a juror of her caliber is a considerable validation of your artistic direction and skill, positioning this as a top photographer contest for those working in innovative fields.
Rules and Copyright
This section about the rules and image rights of The Paula Riff Award 2025 has been generated automatically. If you are interested in participating in this contest we suggest you review the complete rules provided by the contest.
Rules
Submissions must be original artistic works created solely by the applicant.
The award criteria require that submitted work challenges conventional photography through alternative processes or physical intervention, reflecting the artist’s hand.
All application materials, including images, must be consolidated into a single PDF file.
The PDF should contain a portfolio of between 5 and 10 images.
An image list detailing the type of print, medium, and process for each submitted image is mandatory within the PDF.
A biography of the artist and an artist statement are also required elements of the PDF submission.
Submissions will only be accepted in the single PDF format via the provided Dropbox link; multiple files or other file types are not permitted.
Copyright and Image Usage
Based on the available information, specific, detailed terms regarding the copyright ownership and usage rights granted to the organizers were not extensively provided. It is generally understood that artists retain copyright of their original work. However, entrants are strongly advised to review the complete, official rules on The Paula Riff Award website to fully understand the exact terms under which their submitted or winning images may be used for exhibition, promotion, and other related activities by the Center for Photographic Art, Lenscratch, or associated partners.
For more information and to participate in the contest, visit: the official website.
