THEME: 

This is 75

“Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be.”

– Robert Browning

Celebrating 75 years of service to older adults, the National Council on Aging (NCOA) is hosting a photography contest to redefine aging as a period of vitality, purpose, and connections. Our goal is to dispel stereotypes about aging in America by showcasing portraits of older adults aged 60 and above who are actively engaged in life—interacting with others across generations, volunteering, working in their communities, and maintaining physical and mental activity. 

NCOA invites photographers to submit images, and the personal stories of the subjects depicted in the photos as they reflect on what aging well means to them.
 

AWARDS

NCOA will grant the following awards:

1 First Prize: $1,500
1 Second Prize: $800
1 Public Vote Award: $600
7 Merit Awards: $300 each
10 Honorable Awards: $150 each

DEADLINES & INFORMATION

1. Application Deadline: March 15, 2025 @ 11:59 p.m. Eastern
2. Winners Notified: April 15, 2025
3. Public Voting: Opens May 15, 2025
4. In-Person Exhibition at the conference: May 26-May 28, 2025, at Crystal Gateway Marriott, Arlington, VA
5. Public Vote Winner Announced: May 30, 2025
6. Awards Mailing: June 15, 2025
7. Additional Gallery Exhibition curated by mosaicARTs in DMV areas: June—September (TBA). The final exhibition will be displayed permanently at the NCOA headquarters in Crystal City, VA.

Application Requirements

1. All entrants must use the online entry system.

2. Only color photographs are accepted. Black and white photos and AI-generated images are not allowed. There are no restrictions on camera shoots, allowing for creative freedom. Artists can utilize any camera available, whether it is a professional DSLR, a smartphone, or a vintage film camera, to document their stories and experiences. All unique perspectives are encouraged to showcase the richness of real life.

3. All submissions must include a brief statement or story of at least 100 words about each submitted photo. Photo subjects also must live in the United States. The National Council on Aging (NCOA) is eager to discover captivating stories and showcase authentic, everyday individuals. Please do not include the artist's biography in the statement; the gallery will request it from selected artists later. 

4. Submit high-resolution images (300 dpi) in JPEG format, with a maximum size of 5 MB for jurying. The NCOA gallery will print 20 selected award images for the exhibition. Award winners must provide a high-resolution file of at least 20 MB for canvas printing.

5. Name your file using the following format:
First Name-Last Name_Image Title.jpeg (e.g., Andrea-Smith_My Grandmom.jpeg).
You must name and title each image. Submissions labeled “untitled” will be removed from the jury process.

6. Ensure that your images meet the size requirements for social media platforms, including Instagram and Facebook.

7. Artwork previously submitted will not be accepted.

JURIED EXHIBITION
A guest juror, in conjunction with the NCOA Age+Action Committee, will carefully select the finalists for the exhibition, ensuring a showcase of outstanding artistry and innovation.

The guest juror: Mr. Weike Zhao is a long-time documentary and street photographer. He was shortlisted in 1992 in China for the Top Ten Chinese Young Photographer Award. In 1993, Mr. Zhao held his solo photo exhibition "Impression of the American West" and "American Cowboy" in China in 2005. From 2006 to 2009, Mr. Zhao worked as a photo editor for the US Marine Corps under a contract between the Washington Post and the US Department of Defense. In 2007, he won first place in the US Marine Corps Combat Correspondent Association Award; in 2008, he received first place in the US Department of Defense Thomas Jefferson Award.

In 2015, Mr. Zhao had the honor of serving as a guest speaker at the inaugural ceremony of Beijing International Photography Week. That same year, he was the keynote speaker at the Sino-US Vivian Maier Photography Symposium, held in China. In 2020, Mr. Zhao showcased his work in a solo photo exhibition titled "Amish's Spring" during the 8th Jinan International Biennale Photography Exhibition, where he was honored with the Outstanding Photographer award. In 2024, he served as the executive director and the judge for the First Worldwide Overseas Chinese Humanist Photography Award.

Visit  NCOA Organization Website
Contact Email: gallery@mosaicarts.site

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility: This call invites professional and amateur photographers in the United States only. Photo subjects also must live in the United States. The National Council on Aging (NCOA) is eager to discover captivating stories and showcase authentic, everyday individuals.

Total Media: Minimum: 2, Maximum: 10
Entry Fee: $0