FotoFocus has opened its call for entry for the 2026 Biennial, “The Long View,” inviting lens-based artists to apply for a featured exhibition at the Contemporary Arts Center.
Founded in 2010, Cincinnati-based nonprofit FotoFocus champions photography as “the medium of our time,” presenting symposia, film programming, and awarding grants to artists and partner organizations. Its flagship event, the FotoFocus Biennial, has grown into the largest photography and lens-based art event in the United States. Held every two years across Greater Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus and Northern Kentucky, each edition centers around a unifying theme.
The 2026 Biennial, running Oct. 1, 2026, through Feb. 7, 2027, continues this tradition, exploring photography as a metaphor for perspective – both distant and durational. Planned events will take place at a mix of local museums, galleries, universities and alternative spaces.
The CAC exhibition is unique in that works are selected through an application process. Artists 18 and older working in photography, film, video or lens-based installations may submit their proposals. Applicants must live in Ohio, Kentucky or Indiana, or create work focused on the region.
Artists who participated in the 2024 Biennial Featured Exhibition are not eligible.
Applications must include an artist statement addressing the Biennial theme; a bio and CV; a checklist of works with titles, dimensions and mediums; and 10-20 captioned images. Applicants should also submit details on production, installation, shipping and technical needs, along with estimated costs.
FotoFocus will provide honorariums of $1,000 to $3,000 per project, with additional support for production, shipping, installation and related costs.
Selected artists must provide clear instructions for handling their work or be present on-site during installation (Sept. 14-30, 2026) and deinstallation (Feb. 8-19, 2027).
More guidelines are available at fotofocus.org.
A jury led by Theresa Bembnister, curator at the CAC, will review all applications. Selected artists will collaborate with FotoFocus and the CAC to realize the exhibition in the downtown Cincinnati museum’s fourth- and fifth-floor gallery spaces.
Those interested must submit their application through the FotoFocus website. Applications are due by Oct. 10, 2025.
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