CONTEXT 2026

Filter Photo is pleased to announce Context 2026, our twelth annual spring open call for photography-based work. This year's exhibition will be juried by Sara Ickow, Associate Director of Exhibitions at the International Center of Photography

All types of photographic work will be considered for this annual survey exhibition of contemporary photography. This open theme allows for the widest understanding of current photography practices.

Context 2026 will open on March 6th and will remain open through April 18th. A juror’s choice award and an honorable mention will be awarded. The juror’s choice award includes a $500 cash prize.

Important Dates

• January 7th: Call Closes

• End of January: Accepted Artists Notified

• February 27th: Work Due to Filter Space

• March 6th: Opening Reception

About the Juror

Sara Ickow is the Associate Director of Exhibitions at the International Center of Photography, where she has been a curator on exhibitions including Gillian Laub: Family Matters; Diana Markosian: Santa Barbara; ICP at 50: From the Collection, 1845–2019; and To Conjure: New Archives in Recent Photography. Before this, she worked as a Curatorial Assistant and Collections Manager at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery in the Department of Photographs. She is also the Managing Director for Women Photograph. Sara holds an MA in Art History from NYU’s Institute of Fine Arts.

SUBMIT YOUR WORK NOW!

Image: Context 2025 Juror's Choice, Nykelle DeVivo