About the Bicentennial of Photography
The Bicentennial of Photography: Celebrating a Revolutionary Invention
Nearly two hundred years ago, at Chalon-sur-Saône in the Burgundy region of France, Nicéphore Niépce produced, with the aid of a camera obscura, the first permanent photographic image on a light-sensitive surface. This image, known as ‘View from the Window at Le Gras’, is now conserved at the University of Texas, Austin. Since then, his ever-evolving invention has revolutionized the way we represent the world.
Photography: documenting our shared history for two centuries
The Bicentennial of Photography is an opportunity to celebrate and draw attention to the people who work in photography and culture, their jobs and their skills.
Preference will be given to initiatives that promote cooperation, resource pooling, and the sharing of skills.
Official labeling, inclusion on an interactive map and a dedicated website will maximize exposure for the selected events.
Projects will be organized across France and worldwide.
What is the ‘Bicentennial of Photography’ label?
The ‘Bicentennial of Photography’ label designates projects participating in this major nationwide celebration.
Labeled projects benefit from:
- Visibility on a dedicated website
- Inclusion on an interactive map
- Physical and digital event-branding materials (logo and graphic identity)
- Networking and connections for projects across regions
- Promotion in Bicentennial communications
Am I eligible?
- Non-profit organizations
- Municipalities
- Sub-regional authorities
- Private enterprises
- Public agencies
- Research organizations
- Regions
This call for projects is open to:
- All public and private entities in the cultural sector
- Local authorities
- All teaching, education and research entities
Cultural professionals across all disciplines involved in design, promotion, collection conservation, research, education, training, and the support of creative activities are encouraged to enter this call for projects and to share their expertise and initiatives with others.
This call for projects aims to promote all methods and platforms for dissemination, research and creation by awarding labels to a wide variety of projects. We welcome both new and existing programs and actions as long as they can be presented and highlighted as part of the Bicentennial:
- exhibitions (virtual and physical)
- residences, artistic commissions supporting photographic creation and heritage
- events, talks, training workshops
- publishing and audiovisual projects
- creative workshops, facilitation and education programs
- meet-ups and screenings, collaborative projects, initiatives designed to promote the collecting, gathering and sharing of materials, etc.
We encourage everyone to develop original and innovative projects and to use the Bicentennial of Photography to reflect on their connection to photography and how it relates to artistic creation, scientific research or the way we explore the world around us. Other subjects examined by projects may include the history of photography, its creative processes and social uses, from Niépce's invention to digital images and the transformations brought about by AI.
The Bicentennial offers everyone interested a chance to engage with rarely seen photographic archives and to make them available nationwide.
Labeled projects must meet the following criteria:
- Demonstrate a historical, artistic, scientific or cultural interest in photography, its people, practices and its promotion
- Prioritize cooperation between entities and the pooling of resources to promote the sharing of expertise and experiences, networking and adherence to environmentally responsible practices
- Engage a wide range of audiences, including through accessible and impactful image education and hands-on photography programs
- Ensure fair remuneration for artists and authors, in compliance with intellectual property law
- Promote diversity, equality, and the fight against discrimination; Uphold the principle of secularism; Not contain hateful, racist, violent or defamatory language or images
Selection process
The selection panel will be composed of members of the academic panel and representatives of the Ministry of Culture.
Labeling
Selected projects will be awarded the ‘Bicentennial of Photography’ label. Projects awarded the label must display the operation’s logos on all project communication materials and documents. To this end, you will be provided with information on communication and a communication kit.
Project registration
In 2026, labeled projects will be indexed and appear on an interactive map on the Bicentennial of Photography website. The selected project entities must then register the final version of their project directly on the map. Guidelines will be provided to the leaders of the selected projects.
Events must be approved by representatives of the Ministry of Culture before being officially registered.
Commission #1
- Opening of application submissions: week of March 10th, 2025
- Application submissions deadline: June 1st, 2025, 11:59 PM (Paris time). No applications will be accepted or considered after this date.
- Selection panel #1: June 2025
- Commission #1 results: early July 2025
Commission #2
- Opening of application submissions: mid-September 2025
- Application submissions deadline: January 11th, 2026, 11:59 PM (Paris time). No applications will be accepted or considered after this date.
- Selection panel #2: February 2026
- Commission #2 results: early March 2026
- Click on the 'Access the form' button at the bottom of the page to access the online form.
- Log in or set up an account and then follow the instructions.
Any questions?
If you have any questions about the 'Bicentennial of Photography' labeling call for projects, please contact:
Direction générale de la création artistique (DGCA)
Département de la photographie > Délégation aux arts visuels
bicentenaire.photographie@culture.gouv.fr
01 40 15 88 39
54 rue des Francs-Bourgeois, 75003 Paris
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