Foam Talent Call is one of the most prestigious international open calls for photographers between the ages of 18 and 40. Over the past 15+ years, the Talent Call has helped launch the careers of numerous artists around the world by giving their work the exposure and recognition it deserves. 

Foam Talent Call 2023 opens on 9 May and runs until 18 June 2023, with an extension until 25 June, 11.59 pm, UTC +1. Amsterdam, The Netherlands time. 

We focus on a generational segment of image-makers. We want to see how this particular generation (those who at the time of the open call are between the ages of 18 and 40) engage with photography, with the conversations ongoing in the medium and developing in the community. In the last Talent Call, we widened the segment parameter to 40 years old in an attempt to compensate for the disparity affecting our communities. 

If you are not between 18 and 40, you can still submit your work for consideration for free for other issues of Foam Magazine by sending an email to magazine@foam.org. You can also submit your work for consideration for exhibitions at Foam’s museum by sending an email to exhibitions@foam.org. 

By agreeing to the terms and conditions for the Foam Talent Call 2023 you acknowledge that: 

• you are between 18 and 40 years old at anytime during 2023 

• you are submitting a valid entry before 11.59pm UTC+1 Amsterdam time on 18/06/23 

• you will pay an entry fee of €30 

By submitting your work to the Foam Talent Call 2023 you agree that Foam and Foam Magazine have the right to use your work for promotional and editorial purposes related to Foam Magazine and the Foam Talent Call. Any images used will include full credits. Usage includes all media worldwide. 

By starting the submission process on PICTER, you agree to receive email updates and communications about the Foam Talent Call and Foam Talent programmes. You may unsubscribe from these emails at any time. 

Submission requirements: 

• Two series with 8 - 10 images per series. 

• A brief description of each series (up to 2000 characters per series) 

• A summarised CV (PDF or 2000 characters). 

Specifications: 

• Images must be at least 2000px on the long edge 

• Images must be in JPG 

• Submissions with series of more than 10 or less than 8 images will not be considered. 

• Submissions with a random selection of images will not be considered. 

Important: If all of the above requirements are not met, we will not take the application into consideration. 

Other: By agreeing to our terms and conditions, you acknowledge that your personal data can be used for Foam Talent Call purposes and other activities related to Foam. For more information please e-mail: online@foam.org 

Foam takes the time to carefully review each portfolio that is submitted, a process which can take a few months. Please do not contact us to see whether you have been selected. We will notify you ourselves in due time. 

The cost for participating is €30. All proceeds will go to supporting the Foam Talent programme and its networking activities and events, alongside producing future issues of Foam Magazine. 

Unable to pay? Foam stands with all who are oppressed, including artists and visual culture workers all around the world. If you are affected by conflict, disaster, sanctions in your region, extenuating circumstances or any other reason that prevent you from entering the Foam Talent Call due to the fee, please reach out to us at online@foam.org 

Compensation of €1,300 as a selected artist in the full programme. This breaks down as follows: 

• A portfolio published in Foam Magazine's Talent issue (published early 2024): €300 

• Participation in Foam Talent exhibition at Foam in Amsterdam: €1,000 with an additional travel stipend (€250 in EU and €500 outside EU)

Submissions are taken through our partner Picter. You need to create an account to start the process. You can save your submission and return back to it at any point before clicking the "submit" button at the final step.

Submissions to Foam Talent Call 2023 can only be made online via the Picter app by creating an account and following the full submission process from 9 May until 18 June 2023. Only complete submissions will be accepted. This means two distinct projects with 8 - 10 JPG images per project, a brief description of each project (maximum 2000 characters per project description) and an abridged CV (maximum 2000 characters or PDF). 

Yes, you can submit video stills as part of the 8 - 10 images per series. Make sure to explain that these are stills from a video in the series description. It's not possible to upload the video itself but you may provide a link in the description field. 

There are two ways you can include installations shots with your submission: upload them as extra images in addition to your 8 - 10 portfolio images (as long as you do not exceed 10 files in total) or simply include a link to an image or website in the description field. 

Yes, diptychs, triptychs or other multiple-image compositions are very welcome. If you want your images to be considered in pairs or sets, we ask that you submit each pair/set as its own file. However, it is important to note that this file will be judged as one image, so you will need to submit 8 - 10 pairs/sets to meet the requirements for the series size. If there is a mix of diptychs/sets and single images in a series, simply count the number of files to be sure there are 8 - 10 in total. 

We require two distinct series of work in order to make the best possible judgment. If you only submit one project, unfortunately, your submission cannot be taken into consideration.  

Images should be JPGs and at least 2000px on the long edge. 

Yes, duos are more than welcome! 

Yes, but you must include your real name as well. 

No, there is no set theme for the projects being submitted for the Foam Talent Call. The two series you submit should be representative of your artistic practice. 

Yes, as long as you haven't entered your payment details and clicked SUBMIT, you can always come back and edit your submission. 

Foam Talents are selected by a group of judges at Foam. Every submission is reviewed by atleast 2 judges. We want to see how this particular generation engage with photography, with the conversations ongoing in the medium and developing in the community. We are looking for image-makers that have developed their voice, and that have something to say. Given our expertise, we strive to make a selection that stands the test of time and provides, in retrospect, a clear picture of the kind of relevant photographic work made in our own day by a new group of emerging image-makers.  

The age limits set for the Foam Talent Call have been created in order to focus on a generational segment of photographers. We want to see how this particular generation (those who at the time of the open call are between the ages of 18 and 40) engage with photography, with the conversations ongoing in the medium and developing in the community. In the last Talent Call, we widened the segment parameter to 40 years old in an attempt to compensate for the disparity affecting our communities. 

If you are not between 18 and 40, you can still submit your work for consideration for free for other issues of Foam Magazine by sending an email to magazine@foam.org. You can also submit your work for consideration for exhibitions at Foam’s museum by sending an email to exhibitions@foam.org. 

If you are not between 18 and 40, you can still submit your work for consideration for free for other issues of Foam Magazine by sending an email to magazine@foam.org. You can also submit your work for consideration for exhibitions at Foam’s museum by sending an email to exhibitions@foam.org. 

The selection procedure takes place between July and September, so you can expect to receive the results by the end of September. The Talent issue of Foam Magazine will be published in January 2024, when the names of the selected artists will also be officially announced publicly.