The India Habitat Centre Fellowship for Photography

The Visual Arts Gallery, India Habitat Centre has come a long way in the last four years, since its inception in the July of 2000. The India Habitat Centre has established itself as a locus, a platform for cultural activity, where there is an opportunity to display creative talents or witness excellence on display. The Visual Arts Gallery has been a hub of uninterrupted art activity, which spans different genres, and crossing many boundaries. From the visual art to seminars, and now traversing the path of the digital world, the Visual Arts Gallery has a finger on the pulse of contemporary art trends leading to a sharing and union of energies and ideas. The Visual Arts Gallery works in a multi-dimensional manner. From showcasing two-dimensional works to three-dimensional works, we are trying to bring the best of art traditions both nationally and internationally. There is also an interface between what is termed 'high art' to popular art traditions, very much in keeping with the philosophy and vision of the India Habitat Centre.

In the last five years, as perhaps the largest non-profit centre in the country, we have been supporting art, crafts, material culture, emerging talent, and also the medium of photography. The Visual Arts Gallery is a natural corollary of the vision of the architect and planners of the India Habitat Centre. The immediacy of the medium of photography forms an inherent trajectory of the visual arts.

Photography is now a serious art practice and we have hosted some of the major photo exhibits of the country. Prabir Purkayastha, September 11, Amit Pasricha among others. These photo exhibits indeed herald the coming age of photography, and speak of the new levels to which photography is being taken.

As a result, the Visual Arts Gallery instituted an award for photography. Last year it was given to Sumeet Inder Singh, a young and emerging photographer. Every year, the Visual Arts Gallery is committed to supporting the work of one emerging photographer in the country.

A total amount of Rs 1.20 lakhs will be granted to the selected candidate. The candidate may opt to collect the amount on a monthly basis (Rs. 10,000/- per month) or on a quarterly basis (Rs. 40,000/- per quarter).

Eligibility

1)	For Indian Nationals only
2)	For individual photographers only. Collaborative applications are not acceptable.
3)	Applicant must be above 21 years of age.
4)	Applicant must not hold any other fellowship/scholarship for the submitted project.

Fellowship Criteria

The IHCFP (India Habitat Centre Fellowship for Photography) is a grant aimed at supporting emerging photographers already working on a project. It is not a portfolio competition. The award will go to a photographer who demonstrates his/her ability to work on a long-term project by conceiving and writing a concise, focussed and meaningful story proposal. The accompanying images need to justify the written proposal. The written proposal must be well defined in scope, with a time frame of approximately 1 year from start to finish.

Each application will be evaluated by a panel of jury members with experience in documentary arts, arts management and publishing. A three member committee will select the winner of the Fellowship.

Application Procedure

There is no application fee for this fellowship. An application shall comprise the following.

1)	Project Summary – The summary must clearly specify the intent of the project, the project title, relevant background information and expected course of the project. This summary will play a decisive role in the overall evaluation by the jury committee. This summary should be typed on an A4 sheet and not exceed one page.
2)	Image submissions – No more than 12 images should be enclosed with the application. Only Colour and B&W photographic prints are acceptable. Should the applicant be using transparency film, then digital prints of the same should be enclosed. The specification for the print size is 10X12 inches. Each print must have the name of the photographer and the project title on the reverse. Entries on CD’s or any other media will not be acceptable.
3)	Caption and/or Title List – should be typed on a separate A4 sheet listing information for each image enclosed in the application.
4)	Resume/Curriculum Vitae – typed on an A4 sheet must be enclosed. It should not exceed one page.
5)	Reference Letters – Two letters of reference must be included with the submission. The address and contact details of the referee must be enclosed.

Submission of Proposal

Applications should be forwarded either by registered mail or courier. Please write ‘no commercial value’ on the package to avoid extra costs and delays. Submissions will not be returned without a self-addressed envelope. Applicants can also opt to pick up their submissions from the Visual Arts Gallery, India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi 110003, India.

All submissions must be sent to:

Dr. Alka Pande
Visual Arts Gallery
India Habitat Centre
Lodhi Road
New Delhi 110003
India
Tel: +(91) 11-24682001-2009, Ext: 2037
Fax: +(91) 11-24682010, 24682011
Email: alkapande@indiahabitat.org

Confirmation of Awards

The winner of the Fellowship will be declared in September 2005. The recipient will be contacted directly by the IHC. The grant amount will be given to the fellowship winner in 4 instalments over a period of a year. Before each instalment is given, the candidate has to furnish a progress report of one page and 15 work prints indicating the direction of the project. The IHC will provide the winning candidate exhibition space after the completion of the project. The IHC will keep 10 images from the final body of the project for its permanent collection.

Waiver

The IHC reserves the right to publish the images of the winning candidate across the print media as well as on their website in conjunction with the award announcement. However, should the images be reproduced in any medium beyond the scope of the award announcement, the fellowship candidate will be reimbursed for the same.

The last date of submission of proposal is 31st August, 2005.