European Photography Platform: Amplifying Artists.
futures-photography.com
FUTURES – European Photography Platform
/futuresphotography @futuresphotography
Started: 2017
What: European Photography Platform run by Vandejong and co-funded by the EU Creative Europe Programme.
When: Running continuously since 2017.
Where: Various locations around Europe.
Why: Talented emerging artists distinguish themselves by taking risks. They explore new ways of visualising ideas from fresh and diverse perspectives. However, from a commercial point of view, these works are not always easy to sell. And this is why these upcoming artists need a strong support system and access to a wider audience.
About the FUTURES Photography Platform
Co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union, FUTURES Photography Platform is a platform focused on amplifying emerging talents in photography in Europe. Since 2017, the aim of FUTURES Photography Platform is to pool the resources and talent programmes of leading photography institutions across Europe in order to increase the capacity, mobility and visibility of its selected artists.
The FUTURES Photography Platform has grown since 2018 a collaborative network of 20 prominent institutions operating in the field of photography around Europe. These are:
- CAMERA – Centro Italiano per la Fotografia (IT)
- Centre Photographique Rouen Normandie (FR)
- Copenhagen Photo Festival (DK)
- Triennial of Photography Hamburg (DE)
- Der Greif (DE)
- FOMU (BE)
- FOTODOK (NL)
- Fotofestiwal Lodz (PL)
- Fotogalleriet (NO)
- Fotograf Magazine (CZ)
- Organ Vida (HR)
- ISSP (LV)
- PhotoIreland (IE)
- Photo Romania Festival (RO)
- Bienal Fotografia do Porto (PT)
- Robert Capa Contemporary Photography Center (HU)
- Void (GR)
- Photoforum Pasquart (CH)
- Photo Elysée (CH)
- Centre de la photographie Genève (CH)
- Research member: Eurokleis s.r.l. (IT)
In addition to the many local events and opportunities organised by the FUTURES members, an annual event brings together all artists and arts professionals from the platform. The format and events programmed change every year and in the past have included our presence at Unseen Amsterdam, involving a showcase of all the Futures artists, a special exhibition of a smaller selection of Futures artists, portfolio reviews, special Futures magazine publication, in addition to events like artists and members talks, networking opportunities etc. Beyond this work, the platform artists are promoted online, in publications, and have a profile page on the FUTURES website, where their work is featured: futures-photography.com/artists
Ireland in Europe and beyond
Since its inception, PhotoIreland has been the Irish member of the platform. Being invited as funding member was a clear sign of recognition of our work and ambition, and it has given us the opportunity to work in cooperation with many respected organisations, accessing and supporting exciting contemporary practices by artists and curators, while allowing us to promote Irish artists in the European arena.
To date, PhotoIreland has put forward 35 artists for the platform. They are:
Irish Talent presented
2025 To be announced
2024 Berta Mars, Chris Finnegan, Debbie Castro, Leon Nevill Gallagher, Sarah Navan
2023 Aindreas Scholz, Emilia Rigaud, Niamh Barry, Phelim Hoey, Ryan Allen
2022 Cian Burke, Emma O’Brien, Patrick O’Byrne, Pauline Rowan, Ronan McCall.
2021 Aoife Herrity, Audrey Gillespie, Clare Lyons, Jialin Long, Mark Duffy.
2020 Becks Butler, Garry Loughlin, Mark McGuinness, Shia Conlon, Vera Ryklova
2019 Dorje de Burgh, Megan Doherty, Aisling McCoy, Yvette Monahan, George Voronov
2018 Jamin Keogh, Miriam O’ Connor, Ciaran Óg Arnold, Róisín White, Barry W Hughes
PhotoIreland works with the platform members every year to support their practice and open new opportunities.
About PhotoIreland
PhotoIreland provides a unique support framework focused on artists, the artform and audiences.
PhotoIreland grows the reputation of Irish artists globally through a 360 degree support system and platform for contemporary photography, activated through a diversity of projects. These include events such as PhotoIreland Festival and Halftone print fair amongst others; resources such as the PhotoIreland Collection, a specialised research library of photobooks, and Ireland’s Art Bookshop, The Library Project; via publishing with projects such as OVER Journal and TLP Editions; professional development support through networking and consultancy opportunities; and empowering early and mid-career photographers via our international partnerships, most relevantly through Creative Europe co-funded platforms such as FUTURES.
Learn more about our work at photoireland.org/about
