The New Orleans Photo Alliance’s

Michael P. Smith Fund For Documentary Photography

Introduction

The Michael P. Smith Fund for Documentary Photography (MPS Fund) was created by the New Orleans Photo Alliance (NOPA) to honor the life and work of Michael P. Smith, one of New Orleans’ most legendary and beloved documentary photographers.  The MPS Fund awards one $5000 grant annually to a Gulf Coast photographer whose work combines artistic excellence and a sustained commitment to a long-term cultural documentary project.

Eligibility

Both emerging and established photographers residing in the Gulf Coast states of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida are eligible to apply for the MPS Fund’s annual $5000 grant.  The subject matter for the proposed project is not limited to the Gulf Coast region.

Deadline

All required materials must be received by the New Orleans Photo Alliance between June 1, 2009 and September 1, 2009.

Application Fee

Application fee is $25. JOIN NOPA! Combined membership and application fee: $60.  Please make all checks or money orders payable to the New Orleans Photo Alliance.

Judging Criteria

The main criteria for selection will be the strength of the applicant’s portfolio and a written project proposal (maximum of 750 words). The portfolio and proposal should demonstrate the applicant’s commitment to a cultural documentary project. 

Selection and notification

An independent panel of regional curators and editors will review all submissions and select up to ten finalists by October 1, 2009. A prestigious juror will select a grantee from among these finalists. The New Orleans Photo Alliance will announce the winner‘s name at the Fourth Annual PhotoNOLA, held in December of 2009 in New Orleans, LA.

The winning portfolio will be featured on the MPS Fund’s website for one year and the photographer will be offered an opportunity to exhibit the grant-funded work during the 2010 PhotoNOLA festival.

Requirements

The 2009 MPS Fund grant recipient agrees to submit a final written report by November 30, 2010, detailing the work completed during the grant period. The grantee also agrees to donate to the New Orleans Photo Alliance three 13” X 19” prints made from work created during the grant period.  The prints will be archived in the MPS Fund’s permanent collection and may be exhibited in the future.

All finalists and grant winners agree to allow the New Orleans Photo Alliance to feature their work without charge in print and on the web, in conjunction with the promotion of the Michael P. Smith Fund for Documentary Photography and PhotoNOLA. The New Orleans Photo Alliance agrees to provide proper copyright notice on its web site and in all NOPA press releases and related print materials.

Application requirements

Submissions should include, in this order:

1. Completed hard copy of the  Application Form, signed and dated by the applicant.
2. Application fee is $25.  Please make checks or money orders payable to New Orleans Photo Alliance.
3. Written proposal of not more than 750 words, explaining your project’s scope and significance. Please include your plans on how you would use the grant.
4. A portfolio of 20 to 30 images relating to your project proposal. Images can originate in any format but must be submitted digitally on a CD marked with your name, phone number, and email. Images should be in jpeg format, saved at the highest setting, and sized at 72 pixels per inch, with the longest side set at 12 inches. Name your files with your first and last name and use an underscore to separate the names. At the end of the file name, add a sequence number starting with 01.
   Example: Jane_Doe_01.jpg, Jane_Doe_02.jpg, Jane_Doe_03.jpg
5. Place all the images into a folder labeled with your name. The panel will not view PowerPoint or iMovie documents.
6. Caption list, including when and where each photograph was made.
7. One page biography or resume.
8. Self-addressed, stamped 9” X 12” envelope for return of materials.

Type all written materials on white 8.5” x 11”paper. The title of your project and your name should appear on the top left of each page of your application. The panel will not view prints, newspaper clippings, or any other supplementary materials,

Enclose all materials in a 9” x 12” envelope and send to:
Michael P. Smith Fund for Documentary Photography
New Orleans Photo Alliance
3110 Magazine St., #134
New Orleans, LA 70115

If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Lori Waselchuk, the MPS Fund Grants Coordinator, at 225-907-6695 or MPSFund@neworleansphotoalliance.org

You can download a PDF of these guidelines here

You can download a PDF of the Application Form here