Applications open for the 2024 Photo Incubator Programme Edition 9 at the Market Photo Workshop

Applications close on Wednesday 31 May 2024.

Market Photo Workshop, with support from the Department of Arts and Culture, is sending out a call for photography enterprises and entrepreneurship proposals. The 8-months Photo Incubator Programme will use hands-on job experience, combined with technical and theoretical support and incubation, with the aim of enhancing and elevating photographers’ business ventures and artistic practice. The Programme provides practical experience and exposure to fully understand major aspects of the enterprise of photography. This includes photography entrepreneurship and business management, gallery practice, curatorial production, editing, training and participatory projects and will explore photography through artistic, commercial, and media practice.

The Photo Incubator Programme aims to engage with 10 emerging photographers who are seeking to step up to a higher level of their profession and practice. The incubation programme is meant to ensure that rather than simply gaining a grant, emerging photographers are afforded the support and guidance of established art and photography practitioners, business and entrepreneurial experts, curators and administrators, art managers, creative strategists, grant and fundraisers, publishers, branding and networking experts who are often also able to assist the photographers in gaining a foothold in the broader creative industries, developing networks and growing relationships.

Selection Criteria

The Programme is aimed at photographers practicing in South Africa with at least 2 years of practical experience, who are seeking to further their conceptual and artistic practice by developing business and entrepreneurial skills. Preferential advantage will be given to photographers from underrepresented communities.

• Applicants must be South African and locally based within Gauteng or demonstrate the ability to commute regularly to the Programme. Preference will be given to photographers from underrepresented communities in need of business developmental support.
• Applicants must demonstrate a high ambition to be an entrepreneur or business owner. Successful candidates must register a company at the end of the Photography Incubator Programme.
• Applicants must demonstrate that they have a desire to develop a photography or photography-related business or own a recently launched photography business that they would like to accelerate. It is highly recommended first-time entrepreneurs apply.
• Judges will select applicants who will be able to fully participate in the project, and who are likely to derive lasting benefits from the Photography Incubator Programme.

Proposal Requirements

1. Proposed Project description that contains the following (maximum 2 pages):
2. Detail your interests in developing a photography business.
3. A short proposal of an innovative photography business concept that you would like to develop further with support from the programme.
4. A list of proposed project goals/objectives
5. A comprehensive CV and professional biography.
6. An existing portfolio of 12-20 photographs (Jpeg files, folder not more that 5MB).

Short-listing is carried out solely on the basis of information provided by applicant on experience, project proposal and portfolio.

A panel of judges appointed by the Market Photo Workshop will participate in the selection process; choosing applications that have merit; that candidates will be able to fully participate in the project, and that they are likely to derive lasting benefits from the mentorship. The Market Photo Workshop will retain the right to request applicants to edit proposals.Deadline

Applications close on Wednesday 31 May 2024

All applications must be submitted by email to busiswam@marketphotoworkshop.co.za and copied to loyisoo@marketphotoworkshop.co.za

Applicants are encouraged to contact Busiswa Mrasi on +27 11 834 1444 with any enquiries.