OPEN CALL

OPEN CALL

OPEN CALL

FOR WOMEN

PHOTOGRAPHERS

jusqu'au
01.12.2026

ABOUT
ABOUT
ABOUT

Welcome to the Germaine Van Parys Award website. Call for proposals open from September 15 to December 1, 2026.

By empowering women photographers to develop their projects, the Germaine Van Parys Award aims to showcase their work and contribute to greater diversity in the world of photography.

Building on a strong documentary tradition, Belgian photography has for too long been the domain of a select few. The lack of female perspectives in the media, museums, and galleries has perpetuated inequalities. The Belgian photography sector, which is particularly vibrant, now reflects a different reality: the number of women, whether students or practicing photographers, is steadily increasing. The winners of the 2024 and 2025 Germaine Van Parys Award are proof of this.

The Germaine Van Parys Award offers one production grant and five mentorship grants. This format makes it possible both to support an original project by a professional photographer and to guide the projects of several women photographers by enabling them to deepen their documentary approaches through a ten-month program.

This award also enables the development of long-term projects: the time needed to build a connection with one's subject and to understand and explain the issues facing the world around us. It also provides a platform for presenting diverse perspectives and works toward greater recognition of women photographers within the profession.

ELOÏSE BRUNET.

categories
categories
categories

THE GERMAINE VAN PARYS

AWARD

A production grant of EUR 8,000 for an original documentary project by a professional photographer, lasting 10 months.
The theme must be related to Brussels.

MENTORSHIP GRANT

AWARD

Five 10-month mentorship grants. The mentorship is intended for women photographers who wish to develop a specific project, whether already underway or not, through individual and group sessions held once a month. The five winners will each receive 1,000 euros.
Any subject is acceptable.
Open subject.

AMÉLIE TESTENOIRE LAFAYETTE.

Timeline
Timeline
Timeline

1

SUBMISSION

From September 15
until December 1, 2026

2

WINNERS ANNOUNCEMENT

December 21, 2026

3

PROJECT REALISATION
AND MENTORSHIP

From January
until December 2027

4

EXHIBITION IN BRUSSELS

January 2028

1

SUBMISSION

From September 15
until December 1, 2026

2

WINNERS ANNOUNCEMENT

December 21, 2026

3

PROJECT REALISATION
AND MENTORSHIP

From January
until December 2027

4

EXHIBITION IN BRUSSELS

January 2028

CONSTANCE PROUX.

RULES
RULES
RULES

CONSULT THE RULES

pdf

GERMAINE VAN PARYS.

WHO WAS GERMAINE VAN PARYS?
WHO WAS GERMAINE VAN PARYS?
WHO WAS GERMAINE VAN PARYS?

WHO WAS GERMAINE VAN PARYS?
WHO WAS GERMAINE VAN PARYS?
WHO WAS GERMAINE VAN PARYS?

Germaine Van Parys (1893–1983), Belgium's first female photojournalist, made her debut at the newspaper Le Soir in 1918 with a photo essay on King Albert I's return to Brussels.

A pioneer in her field, she founded the Van Parys agency in 1956 and covered Expo '58, royal life, the international scene, and the daily lives of Brussels residents.

Her body of work, rich in iconic portraits and major archival images, remains an indispensable legacy of Belgian documentary photography.

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SUBMIT

Medor
Wallonia-Brussels Federation

Copyright © 2026 Germaine Van Parys Award/ © 2024 Marie Sordat (detail)

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Copyright © 2026 Germaine Van Parys Award/ © 2024 Marie Sordat (detail)