F/262 Curated Open Call Projects & Series Exhibition
The F/262 Curated Open Call invites photographers and visual storytellers to submit a complete project, series, or conceptual body of work to be considered for inclusion in the 2026 festival exhibitions.
We’re looking for strong visual narratives that reflect on contemporary issues, personal stories, cultural identity, or experimental approaches. Selected works will be curated into indoor exhibitions, publications, and artist talks throughout Caldas da Rainha.
This is not a competition — there are no prizes, just selection based on artistic merit, originality, and relevance. The Open Call is open to all genres: fine art, documentary, experimental, portrait, conceptual, and cross-media.
WHAT TO SUBMIT
Each submission must include:
- 10 to 20 images (JPEG, sRGB, max 5MB each)
- Project title
- Short project statement (200–500 words)
- Artist bio (100–300 words)
- Optional: video, audio, installation proposal, or web-based work (for future cross-media exhibitions)
Projects should demonstrate conceptual or visual coherence. Works-in-progress are accepted, as long as they are in a presentable state by Summer 2026.
KEY DATES
Submissions open: Now
- Deadline: 25 February 2026
- Final selection announced: April 2026
- Festival exhibitions: Summer 2026
EXHIBITION FORMAT
Selected projects will be:
- Exhibited in indoor cultural venues (museums, galleries, civic halls)
- Presented with full credit and wall text developed in collaboration with the curatorial team
- Included in the official festival guide and artist listings
- Promoted through F/262 social media, press partners, and international photography platforms
- May be eligible for photobook features, talks, or portfolio reviews
SUBMISSION FEE
- €35 per project
- Fee includes curatorial review and consideration for exhibition and publication
- Reduced or waived fees available for:
– Under-25 artists
– Applicants from underrepresented regions or communities
– Verified student groups or nonprofit institutions (please contact us for eligibility)
HOW TO SUBMIT
Submissions are accepted via Picter only.
→ Submit Your Project via Picter
Do not email PDFs or Dropbox links. Submissions received outside Picter will not be considered.
SELECTION PROCESS
All projects will be reviewed by:
- The F/262 curatorial team
- Guest curators and international advisors
- External reviewers from partner institutions
Selections will be based on:
- Conceptual clarity
- Visual quality
- Originality and relevance to contemporary discourse
- Exhibition viability (space, format, completeness)
There is no limit to the number of projects selected. All decisions are final.
ELIGIBILITY & TERMS
- Open to photographers, artists, and collectives of any nationality, age, or background
- Collaborative projects are welcome (please name all authors in the credits)
- Artists retain full copyright over their work
- By submitting, artists grant non-exclusive rights for F/262 to exhibit and promote the selected work during the 2026 festival
- The festival will cover exhibition production costs
- Artists may be invited to participate in artist talks, community programming, or classroom sessions
RIGHTS & CREDITS
All selected artists will:
- Be fully credited on all materials (in print and online)
- Be consulted for wall text and any adaptation of work
- Retain all rights to their images and texts
- Have the option to donate their exhibition print to the festival archive or collect it after the show
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Yes, but each project must be submitted separately and requires a new entry.
Absolutely. The Curated Open Call is for series; the Award is for single images.
Yes, especially if it’s part of an image-based series. Include links to view video/audio. These may be considered for installation or side programs.
Not all applicants will receive feedback, but selected projects may be invited to reviews or mentorship sessions during the festival.
No, but artists who do attend may be invited to talks, classroom visits, or reviews. Attendance is encouraged but not required.
Copyright © 2026 by João Carlos