Futures Narratives

Talented emerging artists distinguish themselves by taking risks. They explore new ways of visualising ideas from fresh and diverse perspectives. However, from a commercial point of view, these works are not always easy to sell. And this is why these upcoming artists need a strong support system and access to a wider audience.

Futures is a photography platform that pools the resources and talent programmes of leading photography institutions across Europe in order to increase the capacity, mobility and visibility of its selected artists. By bringing together a wealth of resources and curatorial expertise, each talent selected by the Futures members gains access to an unprecedented network of professionals, markets and audiences. The platform aims to stimulate the photographic economy from the bottom up by expanding the market. Futures selects artists through its members. These members are prominent institution operating in the field and have a great impact and influence in the world of photography. Being selected within Futures is a proof of quality of the artists and increases their commercial opportunities.

Every year, Futures organizes a series of events across Europe within each of its member countries and every year they are all brought together at the Futures event happening during Unseen Amsterdam in September. Within the program Futures offers workshops, portfolio reviews, coaching sessions, exhibitions and more. Futures keeps on connecting the artists with audiences, galleries, curators and buyers.

In 2018 the 10 founding members were the British Journal of Photography (UK), CAMERA (IT), Hyères Festival (FR), FOMU (BE), Fotofestiwal Lodz (PL), PHotoESPAÑA (ES), PhotoIreland (IR), Photo Romania Festival (RO), Robert Capa Contemporary Photography Center (HU) and Triennial of Photography Hamburg (DE). In 2019 the Calvert Journal and Unseen Foundation join the platform. In the upcoming years, the platform will recruit new members from countries around the world.

Futures is co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union.

Artists: Ciarán Óg Arnold, Umberto Coa, Kateryna Snizhko, Jeroen Bocken, Sanna Lehto, Leticia Bae, Valeria Cherchi, Yana Wernicke, Umberto Coa, Łukasz Rusznica