Critical Mass 2023 Now Open for Entries!

CRITICAL MASS 2023

Have Your Work Seen – Online!

Registration is now open for Photolucida’s Critical Mass!
The submission period is June 1 – 30, 2023.

Early Bird Submission Fee (deadline 6/9) – $65
Regular Submission Fee (deadline 6/30) – $75

Critical Mass continues to be a logical way for photographers to put their work in front of a lot of eyes at once. While travel to Reviews events is not an easy thing right now for some, a reminder that Critical Mass is an online program – so now is the time to make the work, organize the work, write about the work, and get it out there!

The Critical Mass TOP 50 Exhibition – The Light Factory in Charlotte, NC will host this in the Spring of 2024.

Two Solo Show Awards – One photographer from the Finalist group will be chosen for a solo exhibition at the SE Center for Photography in Greenville, SC in Summer 2024. A second photographer from the Finalist group will be chosen for a solo exhibition at Blue Sky Gallery in Portland, OR.

The Michael Reichmann Project Grant Award – Three photographers will be selected from the Finalist group to each receive $1000 cash to go towards the development of a current project.

Maine Media Scholarship – A scholarship valued at $1,600 will be awarded towards one Maine Media workshop, either on campus or online. This award is generously sponsored by Maine Media.

Maine Media Lecture – An online artist lecture for a winner to speak about their work through Maine Media’s online channels.

Print Collecting Initiative Award – Each of the 200 Finalists will receive a gorgeous signed limited edition fine art print (Artist TBD) printed on Hahnemühle Photo Rag® paper, to add to their collection! This program is generously sponsored by Hahnemühle and Pro Photo Supply.

But really, Critical Mass is not just about the awards, it’s about getting your work out in an efficient way to a large number of photo industry people who want to see your work – and what better time than now? Check out our pretty great and growing JUROR LINE-UP!

Merit-based Scholarships – selected photographers will have the entry fees to Critical Mass waived. Photolucida is pleased to offer 2023 scholarships to Ana Vallejo, German Vazquez, Mateo Ruiz Gonzalez, Roshni Khatri, Thalia Juarez, and Yekaterina Gyadu.

Details on the Awards  |  Meet the Critical Mass Jury  |  Read the Success Stories

Thank you to our sponsors, collaborators, and media partners for supporting Critical Mass 2023!