The Chico Review
The Chico Review is the country’s premier photobook retreat and publishing prize. Organized by Charcoal Book Club, The Chico Review takes place over six nights (March 18-24th) at Chico Hot Springs Resort, near Livingston Montana. Sixty-four applicants will be selected by our jury and invited to spend the week with over twenty of the most influential and creative photographers, book makers, gallerists, museum curators, and photobook publishers in the industry. One full scholarship and five partial scholarships will be awarded. Student discounts and need-based scholarships will be available to those selected who qualify.
Attending artists receive ten formal reviews by speakers and reviewers and take part in artist lectures, panel discussions, peer reviews, informal Q&A sessions, and additional evening programming over the seven day event.
The Charcoal Publishing Prize
At the end of the event, one grand prize winner will be awarded the Charcoal Publishing Prize. The winning project will be published and distributed worldwide by Charcoal Book Club, the first book-of-the-month club dedicated exclusively to photobooks.
For more information visit chicoreview.com
Keynote Speakers:
- Michael Ackerman
- Jenia Fridlyan
- Baldwin Lee
- Kristine Potter
- Bryan Schutmaat
- Awoiska Van Der Molen
Featured Reviewers:
- Daniel Arnold | Photographer
- Amanda Boe | New York Times
- Ben Brody | Mass Books
- Tim Carpenter | Photographer
- Julie Casemore | Casemore Gallery
- Lucas Foglia | Photographer
- Matthew Genitempo | Trespasser
- Allie Haeusslein | Pier 24
- Todd Hido | Photographer
- Shana Lopes | SFMOMA
- Christopher McCall | Pier 24
- Aron Morel | MÖREL Books
- Sasha Wolf | Sasha Wolf Projects
- Clint Woodside | Deadbeat Club
Exclusive Alumni Workshops
- Ray Meeks | Photographer
- Brad Zellar | Novelist
Selection Jury
- Martin Amis | Photobookstore
- Barbara Bosworth | Photographer
- Gregory Harris | High Museum of Art
- Kevin Messina | Twin Palm Publishers
- Miwa Susuda | Session Press
Awards and Scholarships
1 Charcoal Publishing Prize - The Charcoal Publishing Prize will be awarded to one attending photographer. The selected project will be published and distributed worldwide by Charcoal Book Club.
6 Merit Scholarships - One full tuition scholarship ($4750) and five partial tuition scholarships ($1500) to the Chico Review will be awarded to six accepted attendees. Scholarships are awarded based on the quality of submitted projects.
64 Selected Artists - Sixty-four total photographers will be invited to travel to take part in this juried portfolio review and retreat. These attendees are chosen by our jury based on the merit of their submitted project.
*Need-based scholarships and student discounts available upon acceptance.
Judging Criteria
The jury is looking for cohesive, compelling bodies of work that may be relevant for the reviewers and that may benefit from wider recognition. Each project is judged “blind" on the technical quality of images, structure and sequence of project, uniqueness of vision, and the application and consistency of that vision to the project.
Entrance Fees
- $25 Charcoal Book Club Members
- $50 non-members
- $65 Late Entry fee (after November 26)
What to Expect if Selected to Attend
Schedule:
Over the course of seven days, you will spend time reviewing your work and gaining insight from our featured speakers, reviewers, and Charcoal Book Club staff. Each day will include breakfast, a morning lecture from two of our speakers, lunch, daily portfolio reviews, happy hours, dinner and unstructured time. Each attendee will have ten 20-minute portfolio reviews with a mix of our speakers and reviewers. During unstructured time (including one entirely free day in the middle of the week), attendees can relax around the lodge and hot springs or explore the surrounding area - bookstores and saloons in Livingston, wildlife in Yellowstone National Park, and the ranch land of Paradise Valley.
Menu:
You'll eat well at Chico Hot Springs. The extensive gardens produce abundant vegetables thanks to rich soil that is heated by the geothermal runoff from the natural hot springs. There's a dining room, cocktail lounge, saloon, and diner on the premises, and we'll provide you with three square meals a day. "Chico is just quintessential Montana," says owner Colin Davis. "We get the rancher down the road who drops in for a steak and a glass of Jim Beam. Then a bit of Hollywood could show up for a bottle of Sassicaia”.
Accommodations:
We've reserved private and shared rooms on the 150-acre property. Room sizes and amenities differ, and we're offering them on a first-come, first-served basis. You'll have the opportunity to select your accommodation upon acceptance. Activities at Chico start at its steamy natural hot springs, with two open-air pools averaging 96 and 103 degrees year-round. The Yellowstone River and surrounding spring creeks that slice through the wide-open glacial valley are fly fishing meccas during warmer months.
Tuition and Lodging
Tuition - $4750
Tuition includes:
- 10 Portfolio reviews by speakers and reviewers
- Daily lectures, peer reviews and Q&A sessions
- Three meals a day, daily happy hours, snacks, and more
- Access to alumni programming and benefits in perpetuity
Need based scholarships and student discounts available upon acceptance.
Lodging
- Upon acceptance, we will help you select your accommodations, which range from shared lodge rooms ($60/night) to private cabins ($255/night)—something for everyone's budget.
- Room types will be available on a first-come, first served-basis.
Previous years
