[New York Foundation for The Arts](https://www.nyfa.org)

May 19, 2026 (Applications close)

$8,000 cash grant per recipient; five fellowships awarded annually

Supports five New York State artists (outside NYC) working in traditional or experimental photography for artistic excellence and innovation.

Applicants must reside outside New York City and be at least 25 years old; not open to NYC residents.

--- ## Description This fellowship provides financial support to five artists in New York State (excluding NYC) whose work demonstrates artistic merit, originality, and innovation in photography. The program welcomes both traditional and experimental photographic practices, including light-based work, alternative processes, and any form where photographic techniques are central. The award is intended to recognize and advance the work of artists who are pushing boundaries in the field of photography. --- ## Due Dates - Applications close: May 19, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET Applicants will be notified of results in Summer 2026. --- ## Funding Amount - Each recipient receives an unrestricted $8,000 cash grant. - Five fellowships are awarded annually. - Funds can be used at the artist's discretion; this is not a project-specific grant. --- ## Eligibility Applicants must meet **all** of the following criteria: - Be working in photography (traditional or experimental, including light-based work, alternative processes, etc.). - Be a current full-time resident of New York State **outside** the five boroughs of New York City. - Have maintained residency for at least 12 months prior to the application deadline in one of the following NYS regions: Western New York, Finger Lakes, Southern Tier, Central New York, North Country, Mohawk Valley, Capital District, Hudson Valley, or Long Island. - Live in one of the eligible counties (see below). - Be at least 25 years old by the application deadline. - Not be enrolled in a degree-seeking program of any kind. - Not be a past recipient of the JGS Fellowship for Photography (recipients of other NYFA grants are eligible). - Not be a NYFA employee, Board member, Artists’ Advisory Committee member, or immediate family of any of the above. **Eligible counties include:** Albany, Allegany, Broome, Cattaraugus, Cayuga, Chautauqua, Chemung, Chenango, Clinton, Columbia, Cortland, Delaware, Dutchess, Erie, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Genesee, Greene, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Livingston, Madison, Monroe, Montgomery, Nassau, Niagara, Oneida, Onondaga, Ontario, Orange, Orleans, Oswego, Otsego, Putnam, Rensselaer, Rockland, St. Lawrence, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Suffolk, Sullivan, Tioga, Tompkins, Ulster, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Westchester, Wyoming, Yates. **Not eligible:** Residents of NYC (Bronx, Kings, New York, Queens, Richmond counties). --- ## Application Process - Applications are accepted **only** through the [Submittable online portal](https://apply.nyfa.org/submit). - You must create a free Submittable account to apply. - Submit up to 10 digital images (minimum 5 recommended) of your photographic work, completed within the last five years. - Provide a work sample description (max 250 words) and an artist statement (max 250 words). An optional cultural statement (max 250 words) may also be submitted. - Applications are reviewed in three rounds by a peer panel, focusing on artistic merit, clarity/cohesiveness, and originality/innovation. - Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. - For technical help with Submittable, see [Submittable Help](https://submittable.help/en/articles/904856-how-do-i-submit). --- ## Additional Information - This is **not** a project grant; funds are unrestricted. - Only still photography is eligible (not video/moving images). - Info session: April 8, 2026, 2:00 PM ET (register via [NYFA event page](https://nyfa.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/nyfa/event.jsp?event=3050&)). - Frequently asked questions and detailed guidelines are available on the [NYFA JGS Fellowship page](https://www.nyfa.org/awards-grants/the-jgs-fellowship-for-photography/) and in the [application guidelines PDF](https://www.nyfa.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/PDF_-2026-JGS-Guidelines.pdf). --- ## External Links - [Program homepage](https://www.nyfa.org/awards-grants/the-jgs-fellowship-for-photography/) - [Application portal (Submittable)](https://apply.nyfa.org/submit) - [Application guidelines (PDF)](https://www.nyfa.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/PDF_-2026-JGS-Guidelines.pdf) - [NYFA general contact page](https://www.nyfa.org/contact/) - [FAQ for this fellowship](https://www.nyfa.org/awards-grants/the-jgs-fellowship-for-photography/#faq) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact Details | |------------------------------|------------------------------------------------| | General inquiries | [fellowships@nyfa.org](mailto:fellowships@nyfa.org) | | NYFA Awards & Grants | (212) 366-6900 (Ext. 252) | | Mailing address | New York Foundation for the Arts, 29 W. 38th Street, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10018 | | Technical help (Submittable) | [Submitter Support](https://submittable.help/en/articles/904856-how-do-i-submit) | ---

The JGS Fellowship for Photography

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