12th Annual Allegany National Photography Competition

The 12th Annual Allegany National Photography Competition & Exhibition (ANPCE), sponsored by the Allegany Arts Council, will meld the region's rich concentration of photographic artists with an influx of national photographers in a juried competition offering $6,500 in cash prizes. The exhibition will run from April 17-26, 2026, in the Allegany Museum, located in Cumberland, MD. The Public Opening and Awards Ceremony is scheduled Saturday, April 17, 2026, from 6-8 PM, and is free to attend. The ANPCE has grown to become one the largest and most respected juried shows in the country, with photographers from all 50 states entering work since its inception in 2015.

The 2026 juror is Michael O. Snyder, a photographer, filmmaker, and Assistant Professor of Visual Communication at Syracuse University's Newhouse School. Through his production company, Interdependent Pictures, Snyder creates films and photo essays that explore the intersection of climate change, culture, and social justice. His work has been featured by outlets like National Geographic, The Guardian, and The Washington Post, and his films have been screened at over 60 festivals worldwide. Previous jurors have included directors from the Griffin Museum of Photography, Center for Creative Photography, Museum of Contemporary Photography, Carnegie Museum of Art, and the Smithsonian's Photographic History Collection.

Applicants may enter no more than six entries across three categories: Color, Monochrome/Black and White, and Photography as a 3-D Art Form. Submitted images must originate as lens-based photographs created solely by the entrant and may not incorporate AI-generated images, clip art, replacement skies, or stock photos. All entries must be for sale and professionally presented. Non-3D artwork may not exceed 36 inches in width and 48 inches in height including frame, while 3-D works may not exceed 72 inches in height and 36 inches in length and width, with a maximum weight of 40 lbs. Entry fee is $30 with an additional $15 media fee.