Rotterdam Photo, in collaboration with Amarte Fonds, presents the Dutch Talent Project Grants 2026. This initiative offers emerging photographers the opportunity to develop new work around the festival theme "Echoes of Silence – War in the Artist's Soul." Selected artists will receive financial support, curatorial guidance, and a platform to exhibit their projects during Rotterdam Photo 2026.

At a time when images of war and conflict flood our screens, this theme calls for a different, more introspective approach. Instead of documenting violence or producing straightforward reportage, "Echoes of Silence" invites photographers to turn the lens inward – to explore how conflict, collective trauma, and displacement resonate within the artist's inner world.

This edition focuses on the emotional and psychological aftermath of war: the invisible traces of trauma that echo in memory, family stories, and the subconscious. These works might express silence, emptiness, repetition, alienation, or symbolic gestures, offering a poetic and subjective counterpoint to the sensationalism of mainstream imagery.

Rotterdam, a city marked by its own history of trauma, bombing, migration, and reconstruction, provides the perfect backdrop for this exploration. Here, the invisible scars of conflict form part of the city's identity, making it a fitting stage for artists who are willing to reflect on how war – even from a distance – shapes their imagination, emotions, and artistic voice.

The culmination of this journey will be a group exhibition at Rotterdam Photo 2026, where the selected talents will present their work in a visually striking venue, specially designed to reflect the festival's innovative spirit. This exhibition will be a highlight of the festival, drawing a diverse and engaged audience eager to experience the cutting edge of contemporary photography.

Through an open call, five artists who embrace photography as their medium of choice will be selected. A stipend of €3,000 will be awarded to selected candidates, enabling them to develop their ongoing projects into "work in progress" exhibitions for Rotterdam Photo 2026. The selected photographers will collaborate with festival-appointed curator Mira Matic to develop a unique group exhibition. This exhibition, set to be a highlight of the festival, will be open in March 2026.

Rotterdam Photo will provide coaching throughout the artistic process, support technical needs, and organize the final presentations during the event.

The open call for applications runs until October 15th. This is a rare and exciting opportunity for the next generation of visual artists to make their mark, pushing the boundaries of photography and engaging with the pressing issues of our time.