ABOUT THE COLLECTIVE LEARNING PROGRAM:
Recentering the Image-Making Process is the third iteration of Chicago Art Department’s paid and in-person Collective Learning Programs—a skill share learning initiative. This program will take place in the winter of 2024 and will be led by Sebastián Hidalgo, a photojournalist trained in Chicago and a current resident at CAD.
We see the current media discord as an opportunity to ask deeper questions and strategize inclusive photography practice. We acknowledge photography’s historical contributions to movements and choose to lean into that history to develop appropriate steps for more inclusive photography
practice.
We're searching for passionate individuals to join a learning circle where we collectively identify issues impacting our communities, frame solutions, assess the appropriate steps, identify resources, mobilize photography, and engage in skill-sharing through catalytic partnerships.
Participants will collaborate to craft a publication, curate a photography exhibition or workshop in our main exhibition space in 2024, and/or any other form of shared communication to present their research to the public.
Photographers, editors, journalists, community organizers, ethnographers, and harm-reduction practitioners are strongly encouraged to apply. Priority will be given to individuals working in and representing backgrounds that are misrepresented and poorly represented in the media.
Six participants will receive an $850 honorarium for their participation and work preparation towards the exhibition. Meetings will take place on Saturdays from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. from January 20th, 2024 to March 9th, 2024. The culminating exhibition will open March 16th and run through April 26th. The submission deadline will be December 31st, at 11:59 pm (Central Time). Only applicants who can commit to all the meeting dates above will be considered for this opportunity.
Light refreshments will be provided at all meetings. For any space accommodations, please contact carlos@chicagoartdepartment.org.
SELECTION PROCESS
•Are passionate about using photography to expand beyond traditional narrative formats and tap into the medium’s potential for accountability and public safety
•Can demonstrate a broad knowledge of the current media landscape
•Strong grasp or understanding of photojournalistic principles, including ethics
•Ability to show photography techniques or are interested in utilizing photography in their workx. You don’t have to be a photographer
Please write responses clearly and to the best of your ability.
For questions about the application, please email sebastianhidalgophoto@gmail.com