About

Initiated by the City of Brussels, the Germaine Van Parys Award is dedicated to women photographers working in a documentary vein. The prize is named after Germaine Van Parys, a pioneer of documentary and press photography in Belgium.

The first grant, the Germaine Van Parys Award, is aimed at professional photographers. The Discovery Award is aimed at photography graduates from Brussels schools.

By rewarding women photographers whose work renews approaches and questions the role of the image, this prize aims to support an essential change that is taking place today.

What winners receive

CATEGORY 1 - GERMAINE VAN PARYS AWARD:

One project will be selected. The awardee will receive a grant of 8.000 € to research, develop, and produce the proposed artworks. An exhibition of the project will be held in a group show in Brussels at the end of 2025.

CATEGORY 2 - GERMAINE VAN PARYS DISCOVERY AWARD:

Three projects will be selected. The awardees will receive collective and personalized mentorship and guidance (ten months program) from the Out of Focus team as well as our international network and a 1000€ Production grant. An exhibition of the projects will be held in a group show in Brussels at the end of 2025.

About Germaine Van Parys Award

Germaine Van Parys Award is organized by The City of Brussels and the non-profit organization Out of focus, in association with Geopolis.

Initiated by the City of Brussels, Germaine Van Parys Award is an annual photography award founded in 2023.

Judging criteria

Submissions will be judged on the story they conveying, originality, and photo quality.