2016 Aperture Portfolio Prize

The Aperture Portfolio Prize is an international photography competition designed to identify trends in contemporary photography and highlight artists whose work deserves greater recognition. Aperture's editorial and curatorial staff seek innovative bodies of work that haven't been widely seen in major publications or exhibition venues.

The competition is open to Aperture Foundation Members. First prize is $3,000 and an exhibition at Aperture Gallery. The first-prize winner and up to five runners-up will be featured on Aperture's website with a brief statement written by Aperture staff, announced in the foundation's e-newsletter reaching fifty thousand subscribers globally, and given the opportunity to participate in the Aperture Foundation limited-edition print program.

Entries must include 15 images with title/caption information, a statement of up to 250 words about the work, and a résumé/CV. Work must be created within the last five years. Entries are evaluated based on whether the work is new, carries a consistent theme throughout the portfolio, demonstrates strong composition and use of color or tone, makes appropriate technical and presentation choices, and takes an innovative or unique approach to the subject matter. All entrants will be contacted with final results by April 2016. Absolutely no exceptions are made for late submissions.