Submission deadline: September 12, 2023
CONTACT is requesting submissions for the 2023 Burtynsky Grant—a $5,000 annual grant to support a Canadian artist in the creation of a photobook.
In 2016, photographer Edward Burtynsky and CONTACT established the Burtynsky Grant to foster the creation of photobooks by Canadians. The grant supports photo-based artists who are at the advanced stages of developing a cohesive, rigorous body of work presented in book form.
Please provide the following via filesharing service such as WeTransfer or Dropbox to [email protected] Hardcopy submissions are also accepted by drop-off or mail.
– Minimum 10 spreads (two pages side-by-side, like an open book) of your book dummy that best communicate your project and vision for publication. Full book submissions are also welcome if preferred
– Project statement about your photobook
– Rough outline of how you would use the grant funding (ie. budget details regarding printing, distribution, design, etc)
– CV and/or artist statement
– Expressions of interest from publishers, if available (this is not mandatory, as you may be self-publishing)
Please note that the jury is not interested in reviewing submissions related to: street photography, travelogues or vacations, architecture, or fashion.
Email [email protected] with your questions.
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Since its inception, The Burtynsky Grant has supported a range of exceptional photobooks, many created by Canadian and international independent publishers.
2022
Fatine-Violette Sabiri, Kiss Landing. Forthcoming.
Honourable Mentions:
Oumayma Ben Tanfous, Intertwined
Bertrand Carrière, Une poignée d’étoiles (A Handful of Stars)
Tommy Keith, Don’t Forget to Wave
Julie Pasila, As Above
2021
Cristian Ordóñez, Frequency. Forthcoming
Honourable Mentions
Sara Knelman, Lady Readers
Jon Laytner, Normal and Boring
Rehab Nazzal, Driving in Palestine
Kyler Zeleny, Bury Me in the Back Forty
2020
Pamila Matharu, Index: Some of All Parts. Forthcoming.
Honourable Mentions
Leyla Godfrey, Four Walls With No Entrance
Esmond Lee, Below the City
Laurence Philomene, Puberty 
2019
Teresa Eng, China Dream. Published 2019 by Skinnerboox.
Honourable Mentions
Valerian Mazataud, Liwa Mairin. Self-published in 2021.
Luis Mora, Say it with Flowers. Self-published in 2019.
Heather Rattray, 98 Ways to Say Very Good
2018
Birthe Piontek, Abendlied. Published 2019 by Gnomic Book.
Honourable Mentions
Eve Tagny, Lost Love
Ian Willms, We Shall See
2017
The Broadbent Sisters, A Telepathic Book. Self-published in 2018.
2016
Aaron Friend Lettner, Doorways. Published 2017 by Anchorless Press.
Submissions for the 2023 Grant will open next summer. Submission guidelines are below:
Please provide the following via filesharing service such as WeTransfer or Dropbox to [email protected]:
– Minimum 10 spreads (two pages side-by-side, like an open book) of your book dummy that best communicate your project and vision for publication. Full book submissions are also welcome if preferred
– Project statement about your photobook
– Rough outline of how you would use the grant funding (ie. budget details regarding printing, distribution, design, etc)
– CV and/or artist statement
– Expressions of interest from publishers, if available (this is not mandatory, as you may be self-publishing)
Please note that the jury is not interested in reviewing submissions related to: street photography, travelogues or vacations, architecture, or fashion.
Email [email protected] with your questions.