Created in 2012 by visual artist Sylvia Schildge, the Virginia Prize rewards every two years a woman photographer, regardless of nationality or age.
Six years ago, Sylvia Schildge inaugurated her Virginia Award, called as a tribute to her grandmother. She teamed up with Marie Descourtieux – a producer of artistic projects – and photographic laboratory Central Dupont laboratory to gather a 10,000 euros grant. Winners were also exhibited in Paris and published by Be-Pôles editions.
This year jury is composed of Monica Allende (photo editor at the Sunday Times Magazine), Jacques Audiard (director), Christian Caujolle (teacher and independent curator), François Hebel (former director of the Rencontres d’Arles, Associate director – Henri Cartier-Bresson Foundation), Marin Karmitz (founder of MK2 and collector), Laurent Le Bon (president of the Picasso Museum,Paris), Agnès Sire (former director of the Cartier-Bresson Foundation), Hripsimé Visser (curator in photography at the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam), (Jules Wright, director of The Wapping Project Bankside, London)
In 2016, Sian Davey and her project Martha won the adhesion of the former jury. In 2014, it was Dina Goldstein for Fallen Princess and In the Dollhouse. In 2012, Liz Hingley won with The Jones Family. The 2018 prize will be known next October.
Applications are open until 7 May 2018.
