Applications are now being accepted for the 2022 Media and Advocacy Photography Mentorship
at the Market Photo Workshop
The Market Photo Workshop has established the Media and Advocacy Photography Mentorship, which is a 10-month mentorship aimed at the development of photographers with an interest in documenting societal issues that might often go unacknowledged in the mainstream media. The mentorship programme will afford 2 photographers from Southern Africa a grant and mentor’s guidance to produce a body of work, aiming at initiating long-term development of photographers who can report on the challenges facing diverse communities with professionalism. This will give these groups a voice they might otherwise lack thus promoting their engagement with the wider society on issues that affect them. The mentorship also provides a platform to maintain and promote a diversity of voices within the media of South Africa, the region and beyond, while providing recipients with field experience from various host organisations that the Market Photo Workshop will join forces with. The mentorship further offers an advocacy directed opportunity in media, affording the recipients skills and credentials that facilitates independent thought, ensuring high levels of competence, commitment and reliability.
Mentorship Benefits and Outcome(s)
Subject to certain conditions, the mentorship entails:
- R40,000 to produce the body of work that the recipient proposes to develop. The funds cover costs related to special skills development, research, travel, and other photography related supplies
- The mentorship can be extended to curate a physical exhibition and/or publication of the work.
- The mentorship can be extended to curate an online exhibition at https://photoformafrica.com/, a digital space for African visual cultures developed by the Market Photo Workshop.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following conditions:
- Must be resident in Southern Africa
- Must have basic project management skills and demonstrate understanding of project management processes
- Must have proven track record in photography, either some photography training or at least 1-year experience of practice
- Should demonstrate knowledge of the role and significance of the media within society and ability to use photography as a tool to transmit information about society and as a force for change
- Must not have produced a solo exhibition before
- Must be able to travel to Johannesburg for initial meetings
- Applicants must not be older than 35 years of age at time of application
- Needy financial background or previously disadvantaged individuals are especially encouraged to apply
- Be able to travel to Johannesburg for initial meetings.
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be resident in Southern Africa
- Must have fulfilled contractual requirements for Market Photo Workshop courses they were enrolled in or previous projects they participated in
- Must be independent, determined self-starters with a drive to succeed
- Must not have produced a solo exhibition before
- Must be able to travel to Johannesburg for initial meetings
- Must not be older than 35 years of age at time of application
Application Procedure
- Submit an unfished or work-in-progress photography series with at least 10 – 20 digital low-resolution JPG images. Maximum of 20 low-resolution files in total (max. 10MB). Please note: a selection of random photos will not be considered.
- Submit a brief description between 500 – 850 words about the series in a Word document. The description should outline:
- Project Concept and why you have chosen this unfinished series for the Media and Advocacy Photography Mentorship
- How do you propose realizing your Project Concept?
- Why the Media and Advocacy Photography Mentorship would be a significant opportunity for you?
- Include a 150-word biography in a Word document, which details where you live and/or work.
Selection of a candidate
- A panel of judges appointed by the Market Photo Workshop will participate in the selection process.
- Shortlisted candidates must be available for an interview after notification.
- Judges need to be satisfied that the chosen Project Concept has merit; that the successful applicant will be able to manage the project, and that they are likely to derive lasting benefits from the Mentorship.
The Market Photo Workshop retains the right to request applicants to edit proposals.
Deadline
Applications close on Friday 14 January 2022.
All applications must be submitted by email to tiisetsol@marketphotoworkshop.co.za and copied to lemom@marketphotoworkshop.co.za
Applicants are encouraged to contact +27 71 179 1816 with any enquiries. For more information visit www.marketphotoworkshop.co.za and https://photoformafrica.com/.
