About the Open Call

Bilder auf Reisen / Pictures on a Journey is a curated, interactive postcard project by Der Greif that invites emerging artists and image-makers from around the globe to respond to the themes "Strange Homeland" and "Encounters." During Various Others (May 8–11) – Munich art festival – we'll transform part of the Hotel Bayerischer Hof into an interactive installation, facilitated by a "Post-Officer" who will guide visitors to choose from the selected postcard motifs, write personal messages on-site, and send them across the globe – reviving the spirit of Mail Art. Each card will be paired with poetic texts, creating unexpected links between image and word.

Why submit?

• Visibility & Reach: See your work circulate internationally among festival-goers, art professionals, and hotel guests. The Der Greif team will select a total of 50 images.
• Scholarships: From the 50 selected artists, three artists will be awarded a scholarship. They will share a total of €4,000 – one artist will receive €2,000, and two others will each receive €1,000 – to further their artistic projects.
• Community & Networking: Join Der Greif's global creative community, forge new connections, and expand your visibility in the contemporary art world.
• Submit for free or pay a voluntary donation of 13€
• Please note: Images which have been selected for a previous Der Greif opportunity are not eligible for re-submission. We want to support the broadest range of photographers possible and therefore encourage you to submit work that has not yet been selected by our past Guest Curators. Any images which do not comply with these terms will be removed from the selection process.

Voluntary donation

Der Greif is a registered non-profit. In these challenging economic times – especially for arts organizations and artists – we are convinced to provide a vital platform for our community. If you're in the position to support this mission, we value your support.

Since launching Guest Room in January 2015, we've invited a broad range of professionals (gallerists, editors, curators) to create opportunities for artists to share their work and get it in front of an international network they might not have access to otherwise. We are more commited than ever to continue this work.

We suggest a voluntary 13€ donation to help us sustain these efforts. If you'd like to support us further, we also accept regular donations via our Raisely page.

If you're unable to contribute financially, please email voucher-special@dergreif.org to receive a 50% or 100% discount code. Your artistic and financial contributions enable our continued growth.

About Der Greif

Der Greif is an award-winning organization for contemporary photography.

We unite diverse voices in the arts, providing a vital platform for talent at early stages in their career. Through monthly grants, a vibrant community, and increasing visibility, we create a springboard for emerging artists, image makers, and photographers, guiding their path into the art world.

Our initiatives are uniquely rooted in crowdsourcing. This consistent approach enables genuine participation for young artists who often lack the resources to join competitions, festivals, and exhibitions or to travel and expand their network.

With our accessible formats and global network, we're democratizing the art world. Our collaborators – guest curators, grant recipients, and featured artists – are among contemporary photography's most significant voices.

Since issue No. 10, Der Greif's annual print edition has been guest-edited by leading contemporary artists, including Jason Fulford, Broomberg & Chanarin, Penelope Umbrico, Sylvie Fleury, Shirin Neshat, and Torbjørn Rødland.

Der Greif collaborates with renowned cultural institutions worldwide, realizing projects with C/O Berlin, Pinakothek der Moderne, Haus der Kunst, Münchner Kammerspiele, FOAM, the Aperture Foundation, Fotomuseum Winterthur, and many others.

About Various Others (VO)

Various Others is Munich’s leading art festival, connecting local institutions and galleries with international partners to stage a citywide program of contemporary exhibitions and events. Every year, VO draws thousands of visitors—making it an ideal setting for both established and up-and-coming creatives to shine.