CPW (formerly known as the Center for Photography at Woodstock) announces an open call for artists living and/or working in New York State, in regions north of New York City, to participate in the inaugural Upstate Photography Biennial—a major exhibition that will spotlight contemporary lens-based practices across the region.

Building on nearly 50 years of supporting upstate photographers, CPW brings deep expertise to this large-scale survey, organized by CPW curators Adam G. Ryan and Marina Chao. The Biennial will feature up to 30 photographers and artists working in upstate New York, and it will occupy the entire first floor of CPW’s newly renovated Kingston headquarters. The Summer 2026 exhibition will bring heightened visibility to the innovative and prolific talents of regional artists while also fostering dialogue around photography’s rapidly evolving role in the Hudson Valley and throughout Upstate New York.

Conceived to showcase a range of contemporary approaches to photography, the Upstate Photography Biennial will be a major, recurring platform for the region’s dynamic community of artists. Each iteration of the Biennial will be accompanied by a small-run, high-quality catalogue, designed and produced in-house at the CPW Press, using a new Canon v700 printer, and available for sale in the CPW bookshop both online and at 25 Dederick Street.

SUBMISSION PARAMETERS
Artists will submit their portfolios and other materials via the Submittable platform. Applications are only accepted here and are not accepted via email or post:
● Work Samples: Submit 5–10 images, all from a single series or body of work. The images should be 2000px on the longest side and each one should include title and date information. Applicants may also provide a screenshot and link for one video (must be viewable online).
● Short Bio: Provide a brief description of your art career, but please do not enter an exhibition list(max 250 - 300 words).
● Project Statement: Provide an artist statement that describes the project being submitted (max 250 - 300 words).
● Resume/CV: List past exhibitions, residencies, and related experiences.

OTHER INFORMATION
Selected artists will be notified by March 1, 2026.
The Upstate Photography Biennial is slated to be on view from May 30, 2026 through September 6, 2026. Further details to be announced.