Photography

By offering this fellowship, the four partners (Haus der Photographie / Deichtorhallen Hamburg, Foam Fotografiemuseum Amsterdam, Fotografie Forum Frankfurt and Olympus) aim to promote contemporary photography in the artistic field. Young photographers will receive effective support at a crucial time in their careers. Personal coaching by the experienced curators and exhibitions at the three venues will constitute a major part of this support. This idea is summed up in the title "recommended" ‒ a personal recommendation to the public by seasoned curators.

The program supports three chosen fellows at different levels: they each receive a grant of 10,000 euros as well as Olympus camera equipment, personal coaching from one of the three photographic curators at the exhibition venues and a presentation of their work at those venues.

Due to the financial support each fellow can realize a photographic project, while the exhibitions will bring their work to the attention of a larger audience and the world of art.

To receive the fellowship, photographers can’t apply directly but need to be nominated by the exhibition curators. The scholarship recipients for 2019/2020 were picked from among nine nominees by the curators of the exhibition centers in January 2019. They come from the Dominican Republic, Russia, and Germany, and live and work in Switzerland and Germany. More information on the scholarship recipients and the program can be found at www.recommended.photo.

With its two historical buildings – open steel-and-glass structures – dating from 1911-1913, Deichtorhallen Hamburg is a work of art in its own right. Today, its architecture creates the backdrop for spectacular major international shows that regularly attract up to 60,000 visitors.

As a manufacturer of cameras, Olympus is a major contributor to the creation of art through photography. And alone for this reason it is important for us to promote it. Being a sponsoring partner of Deichtorhallen, we provide our cameras on a long-term basis and generally strive to foster cultural education. As such, we not only support the educational programs of Deichtorhallen, but also exhibitions.

The Amsterdam based photography museum Foam informs and inspires the widest possible audience by presenting all facets of contemporary photography. The museum organizes a range of activities, spanning from exhibitions and publications to debates and educational projects.

The exchange of expertise and network activities are central to the collaboration between Foam and Olympus, with a focus on educational programs. The training program supported by Olympus reaches more than 15,000 young people and helps new generations to discover, experience and enjoy the world of art and photography.