A Photography Fellowship to safeguard democracy.
photo by Kris Graves
Our inaugural Amplifier Fellows class will focus on threats to democratic institutions in the United States as democracy and voter rights are under attack in the run-up to the 2024 U.S. Presidential election. The first class of Fellows includes three photojournalists, each awarded $20,000. We will add to this core group as fundraising progresses in 2024 and will begin launching rapid response grants and assignments in June.
L to R: Dorthea Lange, Barbara Kruger, Alex Kent
Why Photography?
Photography and democracy share a dynamic relationship, converging in transformative ways, shaping societal attitudes, challenging injustices, and informing political action. This fellowship embodies our commitment to this enduring connection and its future development.
We recall the iconic works of photojournalists who used their lenses to unveil the raw, unfiltered truths of our world. From Dorothea Lange's haunting images of the Japanese internment camps during World War II, to Spider Martin’s iconic coverage of the struggle for voting rights in the American South, to the unsettling scenes of The Insurrection in our present era, photography has challenged and exposed threats to democratic principles, fueling movements for accountability and reform. These potent images do more than document history; they shape it.
Parallel to this, conceptual photo-based artists made significant contributions, boldly critiquing societal norms, power structures, and injustices. Barbara Kruger’s striking works dissect the intersections of power, control, and gender. Hank Willis Thomas's explorations of racial identity address the continuous battle for equality and offer a critique of systemic barriers. Artists like Shepard Fairey weave photography into their works. Their political and societal commentaries echo the necessity for vigilance and active participation to uphold the integrity of our democratic processes.
Now, we seek more photographers, photo archivists, and photo-based artists who will stand on the shoulders of these giants, using their creative tools to shed light on the current challenges faced by our democracy.
