Counter Histories is an initiative supporting projects that creatively reframe the past to engage with urgent questions of the present and future. Magnum Foundation is calling for proposals from photographers who would like to expand and complete an existing project that responds to this theme, and who are excited to contribute to a creative community of fellows.

Up to ten selected participants will receive a grant of $10,000, take part in virtual project development workshops, and connect with collaborative partners and networks. Applications to the 2025 Counter Histories Fellowship are due Friday, November 1, 2024 at 11:59 PM ET.

ABOUT COUNTER HISTORIES

Since 2018, Magnum Foundation’s Counter Histories initiative has supported artists who elevate suppressed histories, reframe dominant narratives, and challenge the power structures embedded in archives. By exploring the creative possibilities offered by the gaps, absences, and silences in historical records, Counter Histories offers an expanded and collaborative approach to historical inquiry and photographic storytelling—and suggests the radical possibilities of alternative narratives. 

To dive further into the ideas of Counter Histories, see our Spring 2024 “Counter Histories” collaboration with Aperture magazine. Also see short videos that further expand on the featured projects. For a full list of projects supported in the previous 2022 Counter Histories fellowship, as well as highlights from related exhibitions and public programming, see here. Additional examples of Counter Histories projects we’ve supported over the years can be seen here. Presentations from our 2018 Counter Histories symposium are here.

PROGRAM DETAILS

• $10,000 project development grant for up to ten participants to expand and complete projects that are currently underway.
• Eight month virtual fellowship. The content of the virtual fellowship programming will be coordinated in response to the interests and needs of participants. This includes guest presentations, working groups, community building sessions, curatorial advising, and project feedback from mentors and peers.
• Fellows will attend 25-30 hours of virtual fellowship programming between April and November 2025. There will be no more than 4 hours of required online participation in a given month.
• In addition to the project development grants, each grantee will receive discretionary funds up to $1,000 that can be used for individual sessions with mentors and creative collaborations among fellows.
• All gatherings will be held online via Zoom in English. Online written communications will be in English. 

DATES

• Application Q&A Session: Thursday, September 26, 2024 at 11 AM ET - register here to attend
• Applications Due: Friday, November 1 @ 11:59 PM ET
• Fellowship Period: April 1, 2025 - November 31, 2025

GUIDING QUESTIONS

• What could an archive of the future look like? 
• What creative possibilities are offered by the gaps, absences, and silences in archives and historical records?
• How can artists engage with histories that weren’t photographed?
• How can found photographs and artist-driven archives contribute to fuller understandings of the past, present, and future?
• How might artists address the ways photography is implicated in creating and perpetuating violent histories and limiting potential futures?
• How could emerging technologies augment, extend, or complicate photographic work on historical narratives?
• In revisiting objects tasked with holding memory (monuments, heirlooms, etc) and histories, how can artists present alternative methods of memory-making and keeping?
• Why are some histories left behind, while others are carried forward?
• How can artists honor histories that are personal, private, or intended for particular communities and purposes? What would it look like for artists to lead the way in creating new modes of respect and care in the circulation of images?
• What role does memory play in shaping the creation and interpretation of archives, and how can artists explore this relationship?
• How can art that deals with historical trauma or loss offer healing or reconciliation within affected communities?

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

• This fellowship programming is designed for projects already in progress. We will not consider projects that have not yet started. 
• Projects should be related to the theme of Counter Histories. 
• Applicants should have a vision for expanding and completing their projects during the fellowship period. 
• This program supports creative production rooted in photography. While written research and archival preservation might be part of your project, we will only consider projects where that research is integrated into a primarily visual project. 
• Applicants should be committed to participating in all aspects of the fellowship program and contributing to its creative community of mutual support. 
• There is no required training, educational degree, or level of experience to apply, and we encourage applications from self-taught photographers and artists who have not had access to formal training. Current students are welcome to apply.
• We especially encourage applications from communities facing systemic oppression and those whose authorship has historically been under supported or underrepresented within the field of photography, including people who are Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and/or Asian; part of racial, ethnic, economic, and/or religious groups facing systemic oppression; immigrants; refugees; women; gender non-conforming; LGBTQI+; and/or disabled.
• Note: This program is designed as a virtual fellowship community, and selected fellows will be expected to participate in all fellowship programming. However, we recognize that there are strong prospective applicants who may be unable to participate in the fellowship programming due to caretaking or employment responsibilities, language accessibility, or other barriers to participation. If you are interested in Counter Histories (and have an in-progress project on this theme), but would be unable to participate in the fellowship due to these types of barriers, we’d still love to hear from you and see your work. Please email submissions@magnumfoundation.org.

HOW TO APPLY

• This application will require a current and past work sample, short bio, and short project description. You will also be asked to list your creative inspirations, reasons for wanting to participate in a fellowship community, and a description of what you feel your project needs in order to expand and complete it.
• Applications must be submitted in English. 
• Applicants should apply as individuals. If the project has multiple partners involved, one individual should apply and describe their project partners in the application.
• Fellows will be selected via both a nomination and open call process. We are doing this because nominations will help us reach beyond the range of our immediate network and introduce us to photographers who would not normally receive news about our grant opportunities or see themselves as potential grantees of the Magnum Foundation.
• Fellows will be selected by an external selection committee. 
• Magnum Foundation hosted a virtual Q&A session about the initiative and the application process on Thursday, September 26, 2024 at 11 AM ET. See here for a recording of the Q&A session.
• Additional questions can be directed to submissions@magnumfoundation.org.

Magnum Foundation’s Counter Histories initiative is made possible by the generous support of The Henry Luce Foundation.