Supported by the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture, the Arab Documentary Photography Program (ADPP) has been assisting and funding emerging photographers living and working in the Arab region since 2014. Production grants, workshops, and mentorship sessions will be awarded to the selected artists of this 12th edition, open for applications until December 10.
A delicate arm emerges from calm water, causing a slight ripple. This soft yet enigmatic image is taken from Lowest Point on Earth, a visual project by Maryam al-Khasawneh exploring the causes and consequences of the Dead Sea’s disappearance. Along with nine other recipients (including Hashim Nasr and his series On War and Displacement), the Jordanian photographer was awarded by the ADPP in 2025, receiving both a grant and professional guidance to develop her project.
Conceived in 2014 by the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture, an independent foundation working to build a strong cultural and artistic scene in the Arab world by connecting emerging voices with established artists, the program has supported more than 120 photographers since its creation.
For 2026, the ADPP renews its open call, in partnership with the Prince Claus Fund, the Magnum Foundation, and with the support of the Embassy of Norway in Lebanon and Syria. Open to all photographers residing in the Arab region, it invites artists working “within a range of non-fiction narrative styles, from classical documentary photography to more experimental visual storytelling, possibly incorporating audio and video elements.”
Promoting documentary photography
“The ADPP is dedicated to supporting unconventional, impactful, and non-stereotypical visual documentations of social issues and relevant stories from across the Arab region,” the organizers state, acknowledging that “structural challenges persist and documentary photography practices tend to remain overlooked. With each ADPP cycle, we commit to continuing the urgent work of supporting documentary photographers in the region.” This commitment is further demonstrated by the creation of the ADPP Alumni Fellowship, designed to accelerate the careers of past recipients by providing ongoing support, dedicated resources, and regional and international exchange opportunities between established and emerging photographers.
This new open call, available until December 10, will award up to eight photographers, each receiving a $7,000 grant to initiate or continue a project. The selected artists will also benefit from personalized mentorship and three workshops led by international experts to help them develop, produce, and disseminate their work.
“We are convinced that this program remains essential to fostering free expression, amplifying overlooked narratives, and raising the level of creative documentary photography in the Arab region and beyond,” emphasize the organizers, who are impressed each year by the quality of submissions.
In 2025, Turkish photographer and Magnum Photos member Sabiha Çimen, a member of the jury, particularly praised “the photographers’ ability to capture the diversity of their cultural heritage and offer innovative perspectives. The candidates’ commitment to conceptual depth and mastery of their craft was inspiring, with each project telling a unique story.”
The winners of this new edition will be announced on April 3, 2026.
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