Events News
Submissions Now Open for the $20,000 Arnold Newman Prize for New Directions in Photographic Portraiture
arnold newman prize
Jul 26, 2023
Location: Rockport, Maine
Summary
The Arnold Newman Prize for New Directions in Photographic Portraiture honors the legacy of photographer Arnold Newman by awarding $20,000 to a photographer whose vision and work represent innovation in the field of portraiture. 
In the world of photography, capturing the true essence of a subject requires an audacious, uninhibited vision. The Arnold Newman Prize for New Directions in Photographic Portraiture at Maine Media College offers an unparalleled opportunity for portrait photographers to not only enhance this vision, but to broaden their reach and sustain their artistic practice. Named in honor of the legendary portrait photographer Arnold Newman, this annual prize celebrates and supports photographers who display extraordinary creativity, ingenuity, and artistic prowess in the field of photographic portraiture.

Arnold Newman (1918-2006) was a trailblazer in the field of portrait photography. Throughout his career, he redefined the art of capturing personalities and stories through the lens. Newman's innovative approach to portraiture involved placing his subjects in environments that revealed aspects of their character and life's work. His countless subjects included Salvador Dali, Marilyn Monroe, Pablo Picasso, Igor Stravinsky, Georgia O’Keeffe, Truman Capote, Ayn Rand, and others. He believed a photograph could transcend mere representation and embody the spirit of the individual, leaving a lasting impression on the viewer's mind.

To honor the legacy of Arnold Newman and his invaluable contribution to the world of photography, the Arnold Newman Prize was established to identify and encourage photographers who demonstrate innovative vision in the field of portraiture photography. The prize aims to foster artistic excellence and support the growth of artists who can tell compelling stories through the visual medium.
This year, Maine Media has gathered three esteemed visual artists to jury the submissions: Sarah Leen, Caleb Cain Marcus, and Lisa Elmaleh.

Sarah Leen was the first female Director of Photography at National Geographic Partners, and founded the Visual Thinking Collective, a community for independent women photo editors, creative directors, teachers and curators dedicated to visual storytelling.
Caleb Cain Marcus is head of Brooklyn based design studio Luminosity Lab, known for developing the creative strategy, and leading the design of publications for museums, galleries, publishers, and artists.

Lisa Elmaleh is an American visual artist, educator, and documentarian based in Hampshire County, West Virginia. She specializes in large-format work in tintype, glass negative, and celluloid film. Her series ‘Promised Land’ was the winner of the 2022 Arnold Newman Prize for New Directions in Photographic Portraiture.

The Arnold Newman Prize is open to both emerging and established photographers, and recognizes excellence in a new generation of photographers. From the submissions, a Top Ten will be determined, from which a winner and three finalists will then be selected by the jurors. The winner will receive the $20,000 prize, and the work of the winner and three finalists will be elevated in the press and through an exhibition at the Griffin Museum of Photography. The winner will also be announced at the 2023 Maine Media Visionary Awards Dinner, alongside 2023 Visionary Award Honoree and celebrated artist and writer Cig Harvey. Artists can make their submissions at visura.co/open-calls/submit/201

The Arnold Newman Prize at Maine Media College is a testament to the enduring impact of one photographer's innovative vision. By celebrating excellence in portraiture photography, the prize continues to nurture the growth of artists and inspire the world with captivating visual stories.


The $20,000 Arnold Newman Prize for New Directions in Photographic Portraiture
A $20,000 prize awarded annually to a photographer whose work demonstrates a compelling new vision in photographic portraiture. In addition to the winner, the jury selects three finalists each year who are invited to participate in an exhibit at...
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