About

The ShowOFF Section, devoted to premiering projects by artists making their debut, is one of the main parts of the Krakow Photomonth programme. By participating in the ShowOFF Section, emerging artists, chosen via an open call, have the opportunity to work with recognised and experienced specialists in the field of visual arts, including the invited curators and festival organizers helping to guide, oversee and promote their projects.

What winners receive

The prize for each of the 6 winners is an individual exhibition as part of the Krakow Photomonth Festival in the ShowOFF section during the festival in May 2026. The winner will receive a budget of PLN 3,500.00 (ap. 800 €) to produce an exhibition and a separate exhibition space to present the project. It is worth mentioning that the total value of the exhibition, work of the production team and marketing crew is approx PLN 12,000.00 (ap. 2,700 €) which will be covered by the The Foundation for Visual Arts.

The ShowOFF format provides artists with the opportunity to gain experience within a professional artistic environment, and also allows each participant to present their work to a diverse audience during a festival with international reach. As organizers, we provide specialist and promotional support both during and after Photomonth. Invited curators individually guide participants through all stages of the artistic project and exhibition – from concept development and editing of material, to the selection of formats, papers, and frames, to the drafting and fine-tuning of texts accompanying the exhibition, and finally to the arrangement of work within the exhibition space. Each project will be presented as a solo exhibition during Krakow Photomonth 2026. By participating in the ShowOFF Section, artists join a platform for the exchange of knowledge and experiences at an international scale, and have the opportunity to establish long-term relationships and cooperation with notable representatives of the artistic community.

Krakow Photomonth

ShowOFF and Krakow Photomonth Festival are organized by The Foundation for Visual Arts, a non-profit organization established in 2001 in Krakow, Poland. Dedicated to the promotion and dissemination of visual arts in Poland, with an emphasis on photography, the Foundation has sought out new definitions of what photography is within the context of contemporary art, history, and social sciences. This mission is pursued during the Foundation's key project – the annual Krakow Photomonth Festival which focuses on promoting young artists and new initiatives. The Foundation for Visual Arts organizes other cultural events, publishes books, as well as digitalises photographic archives, including documentary photographs of Wojciech Plewiński, Zygmunt Rytka and Zofia Rydet's Sociological Record.

How to Enter

Individuals may submit up to two photography or film and video projects. The requirement is that these projects have never been presented in the form of a solo or group exhibition, at a leading art institution (i.e. museum or art gallery engaged in the promotion of artists). Applications must be sent until November 5. We are open to receive submissions from photographers as well as artists involved with interdisciplinary projects. The submissions can tackle any subject you like – no restrictions apply. Due to ShowOFF being an international event, entries must be submitted with English descriptions.