Americans: Who are we? What do we look like? Where do we live, study, work?

The Rankin Arts Photography Center (RAPC) at Columbus State University, Columbus, Ga., is looking for photographs made since November 8, 2016 that confirm or challenge preconceptions about Americans. Send us humble family snapshots, revolutionary portraits, anything in-between. Photographers may use any analog, digital or antique camera or process.

Eligibility: All photographers, regardless of age or skill level.

Fees: $35 for up to 3 images, $5 for each additional image up to 10.

Juror: Paula Tognarelli is the Executive Director and Curator of the Griffin Museum of Photography. The Griffin Museum of Photography, located in Winchester, outside Boston, Massachusetts, is a non-profit photography museum whose mission is to promote an appreciation of photographic art and a broader understanding of its visual, emotional and social impact. The museum houses three galleries and maintains five satellite gallery spaces and several virtual on-line galleries. Ms. Tognarelli is responsible for producing over sixty exhibitions a year at the Griffin and its surrounding satellite spaces. She has juried and curated exhibitions internationally, is a regular participant in national and local portfolio reviews, and has been a panelist and featured speaker at photography events and conferences including MacWorld and Color Connections.

Exhibition Details: 40-50 selected images will hang in RAPC’s main gallery space for approximately three weeks. Selected images must be framed (24” max. longest side) in simple black metal or black wood frames, with white mat or border and wire on the back, ready to hang. RAPC reserves the right to reject any piece not framed to these standards. Be sure to include a prepaid shipping label so that we can ship your print back to you when the exhibit closes.Optional: To avoid framing and shipping costs & headaches, RAPC's master printer will print your photographs for you upon acceptance. For $25 per image, we'll print on archival cotton rag paper (up to 17x22” paper size) and after the show either return the print to you ($15 additional for shipping) or add it to the RAPC's flat file for future access to collectors. If you choose this option, RAPC will frame your images at no charge, using our selection of 16x20 & 18x24 black wood frames.

Sales: RAPC encourages sales during exhibitions, with artists receiving 100% of the sale price. 

Copyright: Artists retain all copyrights to their own images. Artists whose work is chosen for Americans grant RAPC permission to use their images, with attribution, for promoting the exhibition and/or its programs. Artists grant usage as stated without further compensation.

Lodging/Transportation: RAPC does not provide lodging or transportation for artists participating in the exhibition. However, there are several hotels within easy walking distance of our gallery in Uptown Columbus, Ga. and we will be happy to make suggestions to those juried into the exhibit. Columbus is approximately 100 miles, and a 90 minute shuttle ride, from the Atlanta Airport.

Important Dates:

Submissions Open: March 1

Submissions Close: July 4

Selections Announced: July 15

Drop Off or Arrival at RAPC: August 26-30

Exhibition Opens: September 6

Opening Reception: September 6

Exhibition Closes: September 27

Return of Works: October 7

After the Show: If you provide framed prints and your art does not sell at the exhibition we will ship back to you (if pre-paid label is provided). If printed at RAPC, we can ship your print to you (if prepaid) or you may donate it to RAPC's flat file. Flat file artwork is available for viewing, may be exhibited again, donated to another organization or sold to benefit RAPC. If sold, RAPC retains all profits from the sale. 

Bonus: All selected photographers will receive a press packet from the exhibit, including a formal acceptance letter with signed juror's statement.

Thank you for submitting your work-good luck!

Application Requirements

Eligibility Criteria