$10,000 Pool Grant entries closing soon

The call for submissions for The Pool Collective's annual Pool Grant is now open, and entries will be accepted until midnight on 21 April, 2016. The grant is an amazing opportunity for young creatives in the artistic and commercial photography industries, with the recipient being awarded $10,000 to complete a photographic project. At the end of the year, the recipient will showcase their completed series at a solo exhibition to be held during the Head On Photo Festival, the largest photo festival in Australia.

© David Maurice Smith. 2014 grant recipient, from
© David Maurice Smith. 2014 grant recipient, from "Living in the Shadows".

Aimed at emerging photographers, the grant can assist a young photographer with an amazing idea, but lacking the financial or creative support to bring it to life. The guest judge for the 2016 Pool Grant is Jess Scully - director of Vivid Ideas, curator of TEDxSydney, and radio presenter for SoHotRightNow on 2SER.

The grant was stated by The Pool Collective as a way of supporting the development of fresh talent in the industry. Photographers in The Pool Collective have spent the past six years sharing their expertise and acting as mentors to each year's Pool Grant recipient, and this is based on their desire to help cultivate the next generation of image-makers. “The Pool Grant is a very important part of who we are as The Pool Collective," says Managing Director, Cameron Gray. "We all started out as emerging artists looking for opportunities that could take us to the next level, so we understand how valuable something like this is, and are excited to be able to provide that."

© Kate Disher-Quill. 2015 grant recipient, from
© Kate Disher-Quill. 2015 grant recipient, from "Right Hear, Right Now".

Who can apply?

All Australian and New Zealand creatives who have an interest in breaking out into the photography scene. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age, and have less than 3 years’ of professional photography experience.

© Mike Read. 2013 grant recipient, from
© Mike Read. 2013 grant recipient, from "The Way".

About Pool Collective

Established in 2008, The Pool Collective work in the realms of photography and motion content, seeking to develop creative partnerships with other artists, both commercially and privately, and to foster mutually beneficial relationships with brands, organisations, clients, and agencies, both domestically and internationally.

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