Teen photographers from the ages of 13 to 19 can submit up to eight photos for this year’s Open Call. A change from previous years, the submissions will only be accepted from California teens until January 26, 2024. A panel of judges, including arts professionals, will then select 25 photographs as winning works in March 2024.
“Annually, Getty Unshuttered continues to be an amazing platform for young people to showcase their creativity through the art of photography. The theme of this year’s Open Call lends itself to unlimited interpretations,“ says Keishia Gu, head of education at the Getty Museum. “We’re looking forward to not only seeing how young people express themselves artistically, but Getty seeks to uplift youth voices and exhibit unique imagery from homegrown talent across the State of California.”
The Getty Unshuttered Open Call is happening at a critical moment in California with the recent passage of Prop 28—the Arts and Music in Schools Funding Guarantee and Accountability Act. Across the state, legislators, educators, and community practitioners are prioritizing the importance of art in every student’s education. Unshuttered provides not only creative avenues for students, but valuable photography instructional resources for educators to support students.
This year’s theme, “A Spectrum of…,” is inspired by the broadly shared priorities and concerns many young people have previously shared in Open Call submissions while celebrating the distinct perspectives and experiences that make each person unique. “A Spectrum of…” asks teens to consider the different spectrums they personally might inhabit or experience on a daily basis, as well as those they witness.
Unique photography could represent love, life’s journey, emotions, seasons, color, or light. Or young photographers may choose to capture California’s varied landscapes, diverse communities and cultures or the defining issues distinct to the state. As always, the prompt is open to creative and artistic interpretation.
The winning photographers will receive a prize package that includes their photographs shared in Unshuttered’s online gallery, presented in public art spaces across California, and receive a professional-grade print of their photograph. Each teen photographer will also have the opportunity to connect with a photography professional for direct feedback. Lastly, the winners will be invited for a VIP visit to the Getty Center, with travel reimbursement included.
About Getty Unshuttered
Unshuttered is a photography-based initiative that provides a platform for learning, sharing, and other opportunities for teens, young people, and teachers across the country. Since its inception, Unshuttered has offered a photography intensive program for teens, an app for sharing photographs and skill-building, a photography open calls for original photographs from young artists, lesson plan resources for high school educators, and exhibitions at Getty and online.