Awards

Critical Mass 2025 Awards

Each year, Critical Mass finalists (not just the Top 50) can be selected for awards, scholarships, grants, and publication features!

The following awards and opportunities are available to Critical Mass Top Finalists:

Michael Reichmann Anniversary Prize: One finalist will receive a $2,500 cash award.
Rising Star Award: A $500 cash prize will be awarded to one finalist.
Maine Media Scholarship: One finalist will receive a $1,600 scholarship applicable to either an online or in-person workshop.

Group Exhibition:

Duncan Miller Gallery (Los Angeles): A group exhibition featuring the Critical Mass Top 50 will be held in November 2025.

Solo Exhibition Opportunities:

Blue Sky Gallery (Portland, OR): One artist will be selected for the annual Blue Sky Solo Show, scheduled for April 2026.
Colorado Photographic Arts Center (CPAC): One finalist will be chosen for a solo, in-person exhibition.

Online Exhibitions:

Griffin Museum of Photography: One finalist will be selected for an online solo exhibition.
SE Center for Photography: One finalist will be featured in an online solo exhibition.

Publications and Features:

Fraction Magazine: Selected finalists will be featured in the publication.
Frames Magazine: One CM25 finalist will be interviewed and featured.
Projections Webinar: Three Top 50 finalists will be invited to present their portfolios in this live webinar series.

Residency Opportunity:

SPAO: Photographic Arts Centre (Ottawa, Canada): One finalist will be selected for a six-month artist residency. All Top 200 finalists are eligible to apply.

The Michael Reichmann Anniversary Prize and Rising Star Award are made possible by a generous endowment gifted to Photolucida by the Luminous Endowment for Photographers – an organization created by the late Michael Reichmann in 2007 to foster current and anticipated photography projects. Photolucida is excited to continue Michael’s legacy by providing this opportunity to emerging photographers.