About

Photo Museum Ireland invites photographers and lens-based artists to submit projects on the theme "Reflecting the Real".

In today's image-saturated world, often shaped by AI, misinformation, and the manipulation of truth, we increasingly turn to artists for authentic reflections on contemporary, lived realities. This Open Call invites artists to share their perspectives on authenticity, truth, and the human condition in contemporary society reflected through photography.

Reflecting the Real

The Photo Museum Ireland International Open Awards

Photo Museum Ireland is delighted to announce its first-ever International Open Call Exhibition Awards, a global opportunity for photographers to showcase their work and gain international recognition.

We invite photographers from around the globe to submit works that explore the theme 'Reflecting the Real'. Submissions will be reviewed by an international panel of photography experts, who will select the shortlisted works for exhibition and the overall award winners.

Five winning artists will exhibit their work in a major exhibition in Photo Museum Ireland, the national centre for contemporary photography. The winners' work will be professionally printed, framed, and installed per the highest museum standards. The five winners will each receive a cash award of €1000 and will receive their exhibited fine art prints at the end of the show.

A broader selection of work by 15 shortlisted artists will be featured in a projection installation within the exhibition space and in a dedicated online gallery, offering photographers an exciting opportunity to gain global exposure and recognition.

What winners receive

All entrants receive:

• Submission review by a diverse jury of leading international photography experts.
• Opportunities for project exposure across social media channels, website and press campaign

15 Shortlisted artists receive

• Dedicated gallery featuring work by 15 shortlisted artists.

• Participation in our Instagram residency scheme

• Exposure across social media channels and press campaigns.

• Dedicated online gallery viewing room featuring work by shortlisted artists.

5 Open Award winners receive

• A major exhibition opportunity for five artists in Photo Museum Ireland.

• Winners receive €5,000 in cash prizes (€1,000 each)

• Fine art printing, production, museum-standard framing and installation of their work in Ireland's premier photo space.

• Winners receive fine art prints of exhibited works at the end of the show.

About Photo Museum Ireland

Photo Museum Ireland is the national centre for contemporary photography. Ware dedicated to advancing the development, appreciation and understanding of photography and visual culture. In our award-winning home in the heart of Dublin city, we showcase enlightening, challenging, and inspiring work by Irish and international photographers. Free and open for all, our dynamic programme of innovative exhibitions and curated programmes address important artistic, cultural and societal issues, inspiring over 70,000 visitors each year. We support artists through commissions, workplace residencies, mentoring, production, photobook publishing, touring and international opportunities. Our engagement programmes of talks, events, workshops, and artist-led outreach projects connect audiences with thought-provoking inspirational photography, accessible to all.

Judging criteria

The following criteria will be used to evaluate submissions to ensure a fair and transparent selection process. These criteria are designed to assess the artistic, technical, and thematic qualities of the work while aligning with the goals of Photo Museum Ireland.

1. Relevance to Theme (30%)

• Does the work effectively explore the theme of Reflecting the Real?
• Does it offer a unique perspective on authenticity, truth, or the human condition?
• Does it provoke thought or challenge perceptions of reality?

2. Creativity and Originality (25%)

• Does the work demonstrate a fresh or innovative approach to the theme?
• Is the concept original and distinct from clichés or overused tropes?
• Does the work stand out in terms of vision and artistic voice?

3. Technical Skill and Execution (20%)

• Is the work technically proficient (e.g., composition, lighting, focus, post-processing)?
• Does the photographer demonstrate mastery of their chosen medium (digital, film, etc.)?
• Is the presentation of the work professional and polished?

4. Impact and Storytelling (15%)

• Does the work evoke a response or connection with the viewer?
• Does it tell a compelling story or convey a clear message?
• Is there depth and nuance in the narrative or concept?

5. Cohesion and Consistency (10%)

• If submitting a series, do the images work together as a cohesive body of work?
• Is there a consistent style, tone, or visual language across the submission?
• Does the series enhance the overall impact of the individual images?