Snapshot America:
A Portrait of the United States in 2026
A portrait of America at 250. Where we are now?
This is a call for entries to capture, in photographs, [the United States of] America today. We are looking for pictures of your community, your friends, your neighborhood, local events, landmarks and just everyday activities that represent your daily life in America. We are looking to put together an exhibition to document the unique times we live in and take a Snapshot of these United States.
From everyday activities to the grand celebrations and the tragedies that touch us all, we want to see what your America looks like. What image defines present day America for you? What best represents the city or town you live in? What gives you the strength to get up in the morning? What keeps you up at night? These are some of the ideas we are looking to explore as we put together this time capsule of United States of America in 2026.
The exhibition will be presented in our galleries, online and in an exhibition catalog to document this moment in time. Submitted photographs should reflect or express your current experience…. Our goal is to create a Time Capsule, to mark this moment in time, to mark our place, and provide a chance to reflect and record what America is today. In addition to the gallery exhibition we will be publishing an expanded collection in book form. The book will include all works presented in the gallery and include a more with selected works will be included
To avoid the perception that one community is better than another or one issue more important than another, we are offering discount coupons for the book in leu of individual prizes. The coupon is available to everyone who enters and we will be producing a bound book including an expanded collection of work entered to act as a time capsule of the exhibition.
Entry is open to residents of all 50 states and 14 territories that make up the United States of America. Show us your America, what makes you happy, what worries you, what are you working to preserve or what are you working to change…
Exhibition Dates: November 19th – December 11
Entry deadline: September 11th
Delivery of accepted work: November 12th
Entry via CaFE
REQUIREMENTS
Media
Images – Minimum: 1, Maximum: 10
Entry Fee, first image: $25.00
Media Fee (each image over minimum): $15.00
Snapshot America Call for Entries: – A Curated look at the United States in Photographs
An open call for an American Snapshot Enter via CaFE
The Rhode Island Center for Photographic Arts, 118 N. Main St. Providence, RI
IMPORTANT DATES
Exhibition: Thursday, November 19th, thru Friday, December 11th, 2026
Registration Deadline: September 11th
Delivery of Accepted Work: On or before November 12th
Opening Reception: November 19th 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Curation: Curation of This collection for the gallery exhibition and the expanded view included in the resulting book will be overseen by David DeMelim, Managing director of the Rhode Island Center for Photographic Arts in collaboration with a team of educators, members and curators.
The RI Center for Photographic Arts, RICPA 118 N. Main St. Providence, RI 02903
Located in the heart of Providence, RICPA was founded to inspire creative development and provide opportunities to engage with the community through exhibitions, education, publication, and mutual support.
RICPA exists to create a diverse and supportive community for individuals interested in learning or working in the Photographic Arts. We strive to provide an environment conducive to the free exchange of ideas in an open and cooperative space. Members should share a passion for creating, appreciating, or learning about all forms of photo-based media. We work to provide a platform for artistic expression, that fosters dialogue and drives innovation in the photographic arts.
The Gallery at the Rhode Island Center for Photographic Arts is a member of Gallery Night Providence https://www.gallerynight.org/
Eligibility: Artists of all levels who are at least 18 years or older are invited to enter.
Artwork: Open to photographic images representing your experience or observations of current life in 50 states and 14 territories the make up the United States of America. Work must be your original creation. All work must be exhibition ready, no saw-tooth hangers, please. Work that does not follow the guidelines, or is deemed not to be a faithful representation of the image submitted, will not be exhibited.
Entry Fee: Artists may submit up to 10 photographs. The entry fee is $25 for the first image and $15 for each subsequent image. Current RICPA Members receive a 20% discount on the entry fee. The discount code is posted in this Call Listing below. You must login to our website for the code to be visible. All CAFE fees are non-refundable and must be paid by credit/debit card. Payment of those fees indicates the acknowledgment of the terms and conditions of the exhibition. Juror’s decisions are final.
Please login to see the discount code for this entry for RICPA members
Want to become a RICPA Member? Membership brings many benefits and discounts, for more information and to find the membership level that fits you, visit our website at https://www.riphotocenter.org/membership-info/ You may become a member at entry, member benefits begin immediately and run 365 days from your start date.
Size Limit: Maximum size 48” including the frame. Artists may have multiple pieces (diptych, triptych etc.) to make up one work.
In-Person Delivery of Accepted Work: In-person deliveries will be accepted October 12th, noon till 5:30pm or by appointment. The RICPA Gallery is located on the 2nd Floor at 118 North Main Street Providence, RI
Shipment of Accepted Work: Shipped deliveries should be scheduled to arrive by 5:00pm, October 12th. Shipped work must be accompanied by a prepaid, return label. Please make sure that you label your work on the back with your name or name on the shipping label if different.
Print Service: Save on shipping fees and take advantage of our professional print service complete with frame rental for the duration of the exhibition. Email gallery@riphotocenter.org for more information, available for accepted entries starting at for $45 prints framed up to 16” x 20”
Return of Work: For artists who delivered their work in-person pickup will be on November 16th Shipped art will be returned in the packaging in which it was sent using the provided prepaid return shipping label. The artist is solely responsible for any charges that may arise from inadequate packaging, or redirected shipments.
Sales & Commissions: The Rhode Island Center for Photographic Arts retains a 40% commission on works sold, 20% for Exhibiting & Supporting Members.
Liability – Legal Agreement & Participant’s Waiver: Submission of work automatically waives any claim for damage or loss against RI Center for Photographic Arts, including the officers, members, and employees. RICPA will exercise all reasonable care in handling entries, but will not assume any liability for loss or damage while in RICPA’s possession or in transit. Work should be independently insured by the artist.
Usage Rights: The artist retains all copyright to the images submitted. By submitting images you are giving RICPA the right to use the images for the purpose of marketing the exhibition, including publishing the exhibition in book form, and for reproduction online. Artists grant the use of their image(s) as stated without further contact or compensation from RICPA. Artist’s recognition is provided with any use. Submitting artists will be added to RICPA’s email subscriber list. They may opt out using a link on each email at any time. RICPA reserves the right to adjust any deadline(s) as the result of causes beyond its immediate control. Payment of the submission fee indicates acknowledgment of all terms and conditions.
Questions: Contact gallery@riphotocenter.org To learn about other RICPA exhibits and programs, visit https://www.riphotocenter.org/.
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