© Alice Wells
From the good folks at Humble Arts Foundation comes two new exciting opportunities for emerging photographers:31 Under 31: Young Women in Art PhotographyOf course, by narrowing the definition of emerging artists to age you are reinforcing the idea that the young have a patent on artistic efflorescence and economic need. This can be especially thorny when you are talking about women as we take the age thing a little more personally. We cougars in the photography biz can be just as innovative, just as emerging and just as in need of an institutional boost as the kittens. Think about all the talented women who wouldn't qualify for this opportunity.
On March 1, 2008, in honor of Women's History Month, Humble Arts Foundation, in collaboration with Ladies Lotto, will present "31 Under 31: Young Women in Art Photography," a month-long exhibition celebrating 31 of the most innovative young women in emerging art photography under the age of 31. The Exhibition is co-curated by Lumi Tan, Director of Zach Feuer Gallery in NYC, and Jon Feinstein, Curatorial Director of Humble Arts Foundation.
Submission deadline: Friday, January 25th, 2008
Send submissions to: 31@hafny.org
Spring 2008 Grant for Emerging Photographers
Humble Arts Foundation established the Grant for Emerging Photographers (GEP) in 2007 to support fine art photography projects in the U.S. and abroad. Given twice annually, the GEP is a $1,000 grant award that recognizes the strongest new proposal in fine art photography as submitted to Humble Arts Foundation.
Deadline: 11:59 pm, Monday, March 3, 2008
For questions, please send an e-mail to: grant@hafny.org or visit the Humble site.
Labels: Grants, Humble Arts Foundation, Women in Arts
15 Comments:
I've been wondering about the connection between age and emerging lately too.
I had the realization recently that I was 5 years too old to be emerging according to one organization.
I think that Humble does fantastic work but I've seen more than a few opportunities and initiatives come up recently that had an age cap.
Earlier this week, I e-mailed Jon Feinstein and said, "Too bad it's not '35 Under 35.'" I'm with you, Amy: The age limit is ridiculous (my word, not yours). Jon said he would have loved to cap the age higher, but because of space limitations at the venue, they had to keep it to 31 and something about 31 already "pushing it" (referring, I assume, to the number of photographers, not to women that age).
For the record, I'm a big fan of Jon and his work, and I'm equally into Humble Arts. I'm just disappointed that they got it into their minds that the number of photographers they chose needed to equal the age limit they imposed. Why not just change the title of the show? I mean, hell, if PDN's 30 can eliminate the under-30 age restriction, why can't HAF?
I posted on this very point yesterday and I am happy to see that I was not the only one surprised by the age restriction.
For the record, I absolutely love HAF, too, and will continue to support them and their mission any time they ask. But, as a 37 year old emerging artist who has only been at this photography thing for a few years I hate age ceilings. I think they are disservice to both the deserving artists who are too old to qualify and the organizations who employ them and thereby cap their access to talent.
Man, I am getting crotchety in my old age.
Personally, I think it is great. I hated when PDN changed their 30 under 30. When I was 19, and trying to make something, that was one of those things I looked forward to.
This is just one show, and it allows people who are young and still finding themselves to have a chance that they may not have had against the likes of an Amy Stein, Allison Smith, Juliana Beasly, Tema Stauffer, Liz Kuball, etc.,
I'm not necessarily saying it is fair, but I think giving an age gap on certain situations, to broaden the field, and get out the talent that wouldn't have otherwise been seen, is wonderful. I know I appreciate it.
And I could be wrong, but I do not believe Humble has put an age restriction on "Emerging." They have other opportunities for "Emerging photographers" that are not age restricted. Specifically the grant, and the other shows they have curated over the last year. The grant only specifies that you cannot be represented.
Yes, they use the word "Emerging" as their mission, but they have never put an age restriction on it. And in the recent PR for the 31 under 31, they do not claim that in any way. They are simply saying that this show is showcasing some of the most talented emerging female artists under the age of 31. It doesn't read to me that "emerging" defines one as being under 31.
And on top of it. Good for them: The lack of opportunities for female artist, and young artists has always been a subject in the world of art. And there should be more orgs like them.
Sorry for the rant. And even though all of you seem to support Humble, and I know many of you do religiously, so do I, and I wanted to put in a word for the emerging artists that happen to be under 31.
Timothy - I hear ya. Again, Humble is g-r-e-a-t, great! This contest was just the impetus for me to address an ongoing problem I've experienced within the art world.
When I picked up a camera and took my first photo I was already too old to qualify for this opportunity. Was I any more sure of myself as an artist than a 19 year old?
There exists a very real perception in the art world that you must be young to be innovative, relative and hungry. Being a young artist is actually an asset in most cases. This is even more true when it comes to female artists. Believe me, Amy Stein, Allison Smith, Juliana Beasly, Tema Stauffer and Liz Kuball are all struggling against a mighty tide to make great work and pay the rent. Like David Bowie said, "it ain't easy."
My point was merely that the term "emerging artist" should apply to where someone is in their career, not how many candles are on their birthday cake.
And I agree. Totally.
I am also struggling to make ends meet. And most of us always will. I did not mean to say that the artists mentioned are not struggling, just that they are a bit more known, to some, then others are. Not that it is fair; I believe it is about talent, not age, but I still believe that chances given to those who are young, and emerging, are extremely beneficial, and there are not enough of them, good ones at least. And humble has given opportunities to both.
When PDN changed there 30 under 30, I stopped reading. And maybe that is wrong, but it upset me. It was only one issue out of the year, and it was dedicated to the ones who were talented and young. I was young. And it was really inspiring to know that there were things out there, as few and far between as they may have been, that were only for the young and talented.
How else does one without great connections, or a Masters degree, get an in? I know there are ways, but these opportunities are important to those people. I am one of them. I don't have a Masters, or even a BFA. And it has taken me eight years to make the tiny connections that I have. And it is thanks to small Orgs like Humble, ones that give those types of people a chance, when others wouldn't.
My original point was that Humble has not defined "emerging." And I think that comes through in their range of exhibitions and programs. And as I said earlier, I do not think that their use of that term in the PR was designated to an overall age group.
But how would you define emerging?
I think I would say that it is one who does not have representation.
But I know many who have representation, some of which we named, that are also struggling, just as I am. But I don't have representation. Does that mean I should get an Emerging grant over you? Or a show designated for Emerging Artists? No.
But I think these types of Orgs, ones who seem to really want to help Emerging Artists, who do not charge entry fees, and seem to always change it up and are inventive, are a blessing to this community. And I respect that.
It's totally true that Humble is not attempting to define "emerging" based upon age. As Timothy says, they don't make an age distinction for their GEP.
There's also nothing wrong with specifically supporting young artists. But I do think that there is an age divide where after a certain age an assumption is made that you should already have your shit together or that you have access to greater financial resources or easier entrance to the art world. And that grates on me just a bit.
It's a personally loaded gripe of course. No one wants to feel marginalized but that's ironically why age restrictions are put in place -- so that young artists have more of a chance for instance.
It's tricky.
this is a fun post, amy, because of all the reactions. i think mr. feinstein got an earful earlier last week - i also thanked him for the head's up, but had to apologize for the fact that my current state of decrepitude forbade me from entering.
while there does seem to be an overweight of opportunities for, er, more youthful emerging artists (can one emerge for 40 years? because I think that will be me), i think those of us who are longer in the tooth, will just have to console ourselves that our life experience gives us the fortitude to keep persevering against the odds.
as for me, i fully intend to endow a grant (whenever either my disposable income increases or in the event of my demise, which given my relatively advanced years, could be imminent) for women photographers of a certain age (over 40). So, you've got three years to psych yourself up for it!
in fact, perhaps we should organize an online fund raiser/print sale to create the grant. perhaps we can ask humble to help with the admin (not to pick on humble, which we all agree is a noble organization)? Forty is the new thirty? Born in the 60s? Rode hard and put away wet? Jon? Are any of these titles working for you? (I'm actually serious about the first part of the paragraph)
cheers!
I too chided Jon about this when we met up last week and he very tentatively enquired how old I was.
On the flip side, anytime there is an organized show of women only photographers my heart soars. How many more bearded bespeckled over 35 year old male photographers can the world take? ;) The female viewpoint, especially within the constrains of the chauvinistic art world, is one of which there needs to be more.
I think Humble's intentions are in the right place, even if the 'hook' of the show is somewhat skewed. I am also starting to believe that most people find their voice, so to speak, in their 30s...
Susana --
Perhaps our telethon could be called "Help the Hags" and be cosponsored by Humble and Boniva.
Seriously, it's a good idea. Let's email about it.
And what if (like me) you aspire to be emerging your whole life?
Curious.. did the magenta foundation get this big of an uproar for setting the age at 34? how many competitions have set up age restrictions? I've only heard of a few.. but I'm always sort of in the dark with competitions. I know that when PDN had their age restrictions I thought "I better get my shit together because I only have a few years to get in" but when they lifted the age restriction it felt like it changed... they were deeming people "emerging" when they already had shows in galleries, books published or agents... so it wasn't the age restriction that seemed unfair... but their definition with "emerging".
It seems that in this industry and other creative fields it's easy to turn jaded when we don't get as many opportunities as those next to us... it's one of the things that makes me hate being in such a competitive field...
There are lots of opportunities out there. And most of them, if not all of them, aren't the be-all, end-all for our careers. We treat them as they are. Our turn hopefully rolls around eventually... and we work hard, don't always get rewarded... sometimes do... it's how everything in this world works.
Humble isn't making a grand end-all statement about emerging photographers needing to be 31. They just happen to have restrictions on this one show that they are putting together. Maybe it was a mistake on their part, maybe not... but they've worked hard in the past to put together great shows... and maybe there needs to be a little more faith that they'll pull through this time as well.
Am I wrong?
Amy --
I feel like I am repeating myself here, but I posted my comment because as a 37 year old artist I often get crabby when I am reminded that age plays such a huge role in how we recognize and support fresh talent.
I don't see myself as jaded, competitive or down on the art world in any way and I never suggested Humble was making an statement. I was making the statement. Again, crabby old lady just screaming at the kids to get off her lawn.
I agree with you that the real issue is--with apologies to Bill Clinton--what your definition of the word emerging is. It's something to consider and discuss, but definitely not worth a UN session.
I've been reading responses to 31 Under 31, it's great to see so many cerebral people who actually give a damn about art. Ladies Lotto is a community of women who are focused on building a positive impact within personal and professional lives along with the greater good of society. That's why when we were asked to get involved with the show on various levels, we gladly agreed to lend our talents and efforts to an organization such as Humble, which gives grants to emerging fine art photographers.
As the founder and director of Ladies Lotto, and as a feminist (THE F WORD!) who has dedicated her life to the advancement of egalitarianism (in both my professional and personal lives), I think it is important to empower and enable women to become the biggest and brightest they can be.
There are several reasons behind the show's theme. One reason being, as curator Jon Feinstein has mentioned, simple space constraints. We needed to work within a theme, to help with the show's content. We expected 300 submissions and had over 1,000! Another reason for choosing 31 is that it coincides with the date of 3/1. What better opportunity to acknowledge Women's History Month than to incorporate a show dedicated to emerging female photographers! And how great is it that we are celebrating within the art community! Particularly within the world of fine art photography where few (yet great) women have left their legacy, we hope to usher in a new generation of those leaving their mark and unique perspective.
As for the issue of age, I can understand those who are critical. As a woman fast approaching "cougardom", I recognized that our society is quite age-centric (youth being celebrated - thanks baby boomers & ad industry for creating this priority within our culture). Surely there are women, such as myself, who have started new careers and/or training far after the age appropriate for undergraduate school. For this show, we wanted simply to highlight those ladies who are, essentially, in the beginning stages of their career.
As we cannot make everyone happy, we hope that you can accept (not necessarily agree with) our decision with the show. We also hope that you can come out and celebrate our victory - towards creating awareness for Humble Arts Foundation, Ladies Lotto, Women's History Month and the talented women who will become tomorrow's influential photographers.
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