Open Call: Fall 2023 Magnum Foundation Fellowship

Sean Sirota

We're accepting applications for the Fall 2023 session of the Magnum Foundation Fellowship, a program offering a project production grant, mentorship, and arts administration experience to early-career documentary photographers and photojournalists. Fellows are typically recent graduates of photography or journalism programs but may also be self-taught photographers of any age who are ready for an opportunity to deepen, expand and complete a New York City based project. 

During the fellowship, fellows produce an in-depth documentary photography project in New York City that addresses social issues and engages with NYC-based communities. Fellows are encouraged to build relationships with their subjects in the field, build partnerships with relevant organizations, and experiment with narrative forms and storytelling techniques. Fellows receive mentorship and project development support from Magnum Foundation staff and our extended network throughout the duration of the fellowship. Fellows meet with the MF team bi-weekly to share progress and get feedback on their documentary photography project.

In addition to producing a project, fellows gain arts administration by spending 16 hours a week working in the Magnum Foundation office. Fellows are considered an integral part of Magnum Foundation’s team and are expected to make significant contributions to the day-to-day work we do at Magnum Foundation. The fellows work on a range of projects in the New York office including research on social issues, exploration of emerging technologies and platforms, multimedia production, and event production. Candidates should have expertise in at least one of the following areas: arts administration, research, writing, video production, or graphic design. Candidates will be paired with Magnum Foundation projects according to their expertise and interests.

Duration

The fellowship runs for 12 weeks from September - December, 2023. Exact start dates and finish dates will be agreed upon with the selected fellow.

Fellows will be expected to produce and complete a documentary photography project in NYC during the fellowship. Fellows are required to spend Wednesdays and Thursdays (16 hours per week) working with the MF team in Magnum Foundation’s NYC office. There may be occasional requirements to attend evening events at the MF office.

COMPENSATION

$5,000 production grant provided at the beginning of the fellowship to cover costs associated with the production, completion and distribution of your NYC-based project.

An additional $25/hr for the 16 hrs/week spent in-office on arts administration work, paid bi-weekly .

The fellowship is designed for New York City based photographers and does not provide room and board or transportation.

Apply

Applications are due August 1, 2023 at 11:59 PM ET.

Fellows are chosen by an internal selection committee. You will need to submit your resume, a cover letter, a project proposal, and an edit of past work. Any questions can be addressed to submissions@magnumfoundation.org.